Hello my name is Heather I have just been diagnosed with brest cancer last week for the first time (and last I hope) Both my sisters have had cancer,one died seven month ago Im a bit scared of what to expect with the chemo. Can anyone tell me how soon after the treatment do you start to feel ill? How soon do you lose your hair?
Hi all Hope you are all feeling as well as expected. Chelle,Heather & anyone i have missed who have had chemo this week i hope you are all coping with any side affects you might have.I have my last chemo friday.The time has gone by so quickly i hope it seems as quick for all you who have just started chemo or part way in. As for the wig it is a part of daily dressing for me i have got quite found of mine,although it did take awhile for me to get use to it and it did help to keep my head warm .
Hubby reckons that when he calls out to me, if I don't answer to Jean he can shout "Wilma" like Fred Flinstone and either me or the wig will come running or perhaps both.
Hi Jean You made me laugh and you definatley have to see the funny side of things. Read a post about hot flushes and had to laugh when I read 'had to put my head in the freezer at tescos as I was having a hot flush' lol Bet you can all relate to that comment!
Can anyone give me advice on buying a wig as I am going to buy one before my 1st lot of chemo which starts 23rd April. As I am going back to work the week after next (it being 3 wks since my lumpectomy and complete clearance of lymphnodes) and I want to be prepared.
My sister did some research on the internet and found a place not too far from her with good recommendations. We went there and she was able to try on different ones and the one she chose was trimmed whilst she was there, as the fringe was a bit long.
Before that, she was recommended a place by the hospital she was having her treatment at and our local hospital actually has a place on site.
I hope this is of help, but I'm sure others will also offer you some advice.
I hope work goes well for you and that you are feeling ok after your treatment!
P.S. She went for a similar colour & style to her actual hair, but I know some people want to have a completely different look or they get 2 or 3 to have a variety of looks..
Hi Andrea i didn't have to pay for my wig it was all done through nhs,i went to a wig shop and i tried on quite a few wigs (trust me the first on i tried on was the one i wanted and i brought it home that day) it price was £175 but as i said got it for free if you want made up then you would have to wait to have it made,i would ask first at the hospital hope you first chemo goes ok,i have my last one tomorrow. take care Margaret
As the others have said, you get a wig free on the NHS. My hospital had me in a week before my chemo started, to go through the procedures and explain what would happen. Also I picked 3 wigs, all a similar style to my own hair and I chose 3 different shades of blonde.
10 days later they were delivered to the Hairdressing salon, used by the hospital, specifically for this purpose. I tried on 2, didn't even bother with the third as the first one looked great.
You can send all three back and get another 3 to try if you are not satisfied with the first lot. You'll probably have time to do this as your hair normally falls out 2/3 weeks after the first dose of chemo.
I Iasted the full 3 weeks and had my wig fitted on Tuesday after my second lot of chemo. My hair started to fall out the previous Thursday, gradually at first, but by Tuesday it was really coming ut all over the place. I had it shaved on Tuesday after my chemo. Best thing I did, it saves such a lot of mess in the shower/bath etc.
I do hope your treatment goes well. Please keep popping in for a chat. It really helps.
