I will soon be starting chemo. I don’t know whether I want a wig, but need to keep my options open for the sake of my kids. I don’t quite know how they (and I as a matter of fact) will react when I start losing my hair.
My 15 year old loves shopping so I wondered whether I should involve her in choosing my wig.
I know every child reacts differently but I would love to hear from anyone who involved their kids.
Thanks
Sophie
I had very thick hair to my waist before chemo.I did cut it to mid back but lost it eventually on the taxol(I think I would have kept it on FEC only ) I was a young granny so it was the grandkids I had to cope with! I never told the sensitive 8 year old as he’d have been too upset(I did get v.good wig from e-bay) the younger ones(I slept with the 4 yr old) were just told that granny has had to have medicine which made her hair fall out- and did we have fun with it!! The neighbours weren’t told as I’m a bit funny about things like that!. I stayed with my daughter who lives in a council estate with 5 kids! You’d be surprised at just how kind and sensitive young kids can be - they were soooo protective.
Hi Sophie
My daughter is 14 and I took her with me when choosing a wig - and 2 of my best friends - it was invaluable to have them all there - and made my daughter feel involved - I chose a wig that was very like my old hair and got it cut a bit - once I shaved my hair off when it was falling out - I never did wear the wig (that was back in Sept) - just felt more conscious wearing a wig than wearing the beanies and scarves I did wear. I have a wedding next Friday - and my hair is now very short and I started ‘going commando’ a few weeks ago - I have never had short hair before - but absolutely everyone tells me how it suits me and how trendy I look.
Sorry I have rambled now - I would say yes involve your daughter - as long as she wants to go - give her the option.
Let us know how you get on - when do you start your chemo and what regime are you on?
Take care
Fiona
xxx
Thanks Fiona this is really helpful.
I don’t know when I am starting yet, I had a mastectomy on Tuesday, will be seeing the consultant on Wednesday and the oncologist on Thursday. I was told before the op that I would get chemo as I was young (Not a word my kids would use 
… ) . In a way I can’t wait until Thursday, at least I will know. I have been coping really well so far, but I am really worried about the results.
Sophie
Oh, Sophie, I hope it goes well for you. My mast is a week today and I fear hair loss more than all the surgery (further treatment will be discussed when post-op results available). Younger daughter is 16 and just changes the subject - I think it’s a wonderful idea to involve your daughter if she feels able to deal with it. Do let us know how you get on with the onc and what you decide to do.
Lyn xxxxx
Hi Sophie
I would take your daughter or/and another female to get a wig like Fiona suggested. I had long hair with highlights and tried to match my wig to my own hair, being stubborn I went by myself (don’t know why) the wig I ended up with looked like my hair (sort of) but because it was long and fibre it was really annoying.
I then bought another wig, a bob type, I just wanted something short cos the other was too long but because of steroids I have a big round face so this wig makes it look worse!
Most of the other women at the clinic were I have treatment have lovely wigs and I wish I would have chosen differently, my advice would be to take a female and try as many wigs as you can until you find one that really suits you and feels comfortable some of them really are lovely.
My 14 year old son has many freinds and with the exception of his 2 best freinds he likes me to wear a wig when he has people round ( he says i don’t need to worry about his best freinds cos he’s tod them I’m bald and on steroids!)
My 11 and 9 year old girls were upset when I first lost my hair but got over it really quickly and love messing around with the wigs.
Hope everything goes O.K for you.
Liz x
Sophie
I was surprised that I lost my hair within 2 days (about 15 days after the first chemo) so I was pleased I had already got my wig. I found a lady who specialised in this, and went to her house where we tried all sorts of colours and styles and then chose one which she cut a little bit to suit me better. I actually got 2 a cheap one with the idea of using it in the garden and cleaning etc and a more expensive one which has the transparent top so the parting shows (once you have lost your hair). When I wore it the first time everyone said they liked my super haircut and no one has realised it is a wig. They are really itchy at the beginning because of the chemo but it does get better. My only advice is make sure it is comfortable. This superb lady is in Gloucestershire if you live anywhere near there.
Best of luck
Penn1