Hey. I’m currently recovering from lumpectomy and lymph clearance and due to see my surgeon in about 10 days time. They said that I would definitely need chemo afterwards but as I haven’t been referred to oncology yet I haven’t had dates etc or any other info.
I’m a little worried about hair loss, as I’m sure so many of us here are. I’m just thinking when do they discuss that with you and look at options for wigs and things? I’m just really scared that if I start chemo and my hair falls out early on, it will be done before my wig comes back or something. And I’m just scared of it falling out in the first place. I really don’t think I’m gonna rock the bald look very well, I’ve got chubby cheeks and given the fact I’m also overweight, my hair was the only good thing I had going for me ?
Anybody have any idea on what the usual routine would be regarding all this? Thanks xx
Hi rachie
Your oncologist will tell you what sort of chemo you will be having, including how many cycles you will have. I started approximately 6 weeks after lumpectomy. Once you have a start date, you will then have an appointment with the chemo nurses who will go through everything with you, including hair loss and wigs. You won’t lose your hair straight away. Probably about 4 weeks after you start. I got my hair cut short before starting chemo, so that the loss wasn’t as big. I also purchased some scarves before starting. Even if you prefer wigs, it’s quite a good idea to get a sleep scarf, because when it starts shredding it can make quite a mess. Its not very nice losing your hair, I know, but it will grow back quite quickly. Only after 4 months of finishing chemo, I was able to throw those scarves away.
Best wishes
Sue x
Hi rachie. Also look at the cold capping threads on here. This could save some of your hair, possibly even a lot. I’ve just had my first chemo and cold capped. It wasn’t too bad at all. X
Hi Rachie, I’m sure you aren’t any plumper than a 70 year old granny! Not all chemo results in hair loss, so until your Onco outlines pathways for you it will just stress you out worrying. I don’t know where you are from, but I picked up my wig prescription at my first appointment when my Onco told me my treatment would result in hair loss. I then went immediately to my designated supplier and chose my wig, which I then brought home. I live in a city, so it all seemed straightforward to me, and I appreciate how lucky I am. There is a Macmillan shop in my hospital, so I purchased a selection of inexpensive cotton Fairtrade scarves from them to match outfits . Cotton doesn’t slip. They showed me how to tie them and create different styles . Now it is hot I wear the scarves with little straw hats over, which provide shade for my face in the sun. In addition I went online and bought a couple of pre tied turbans and bamboo sleep caps. When my hair started coming out I was really glad to catch the mess in them! I attend Pilates at the Maggies centre and the stretchy turbans are ideal. I thought at 70 I wouldn’t be bothered about hair loss, but it hit hard. My lovely hairdresser did the big shave and really helped me. She pointed out that hair grows! That it’s a badge of honour of the journey I’m making and the fight I’m winning. When my hair is back she’s going to give me a drop dead gorgeous style. Passing on her message to you. Bet you’re drop dead gorgeous anyway! X
Thank you everyone for your replies. I’m gonna try and not think about it until the oncology appt as you have all said, it’s gonna be hard for me as I’m one of those people who’s brains go at about 100mph quicker than the rest of me, I literally have something to stress about all the time, even if it’s someone else’s stress ?
I suppose one positive of me losing my hair is that I won’t take forever in the mornings washing it and straightening it, and that’s just for a thick angled bob, it I ever have it longer than that it takes me days to get ready!xx
Hi Rachie
I’m starting my chemo tomorrow and trying the cold cap I have hummed and hah over the hair loss thing till it made my head hurt!! So I had my very thick shoulder length hair cut on Wed to chin length grad Bob thinned out ready for what is probably going to happen, will get some scarfs and go it to try the cold cap, I will add though I’m not going to beat myself up if It doesn’t work I want to get any thoughts Mr cancer has of coming back out of his mind!! And blast him to hell with chemo, I’d rather wait for my hair to come back than cancer x you will feel better once you have met with your onco I know I did and a hair cut is def recommended xx
Hi, I totally understand how you feel. I’m overweight and had long hair which I have had cut into a short bob. I have to say that the thought of hair loss post diagnosis and lumpectomy has upset me the most.
I’m not sure where you live, I’m in Scotland and when chemo was confirmed I was shown round the oncology dept and given a load on information which included a list of aporoved wig suppliers where the NHS would pay for a wig prescription. I also got as an appointment for “headstrong” which was where I was shown different headwear options to try. These include scarves, bandanas, turbans etc and I got to try them on as well as advise on scalp & nail care.
When I made an appointment to try wigs I was able to try on as many as I wanted and they ordered a few in different shades to try. It took about 2 weeks for the wig to come in.
I’ve only had 1 chemo so far and I’m due for my second next Thurs. My hair started to come out on Thursday so bang on 2 weeks since chemo.
I’m going to try to hang on to my hair as long as poss but I know that I’ll shave it either when it goes patchy or I just get fed up of it coming out.
Good luck xx