Hi Everyone. Well I was hoping not to have to join this fantastic and supportive group again, however, here I find myself. I had breast cancer in 2012 which I had a lumpectomy following chemo to shrink it and radiotherapy. On my annual check up in December they found calcifications which turned out to be malignant. I had a mastectomy beginning of the month and fortunately all 6 lymph nodes and CT scan were clear. Saying all that, I was told this morning that I have to face chemo again. I had built myself up that was a possibility but we all hope it is not needed. I do not know what I am having yet, waiting for a phone call but they did mention Tax to me. Last time, I used the cold cap and although my hair went thin I managed to keep hold of some although it was very thick to start with. This time, my hair is thinner and although I am going to give the cold cap ago I am pre-empting that I might have to resort to a wig. Any advice on who sells the best ones would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Del
Hi Delh
Sorry you are having to go through treatment again. I started EC in December and lost all hair - onc. had told me that there was no chance of keeping it even with with cold cap. So daughter-in-law cut me short in stages from long, to -bob, to -boy cut, to number 2 cut, to close shave, as I could not stand leaving trails of hair everywhere I went. For me it is much less distressing to have bitten the bullet and dealt with it.
I got an NHS script for a wig, however because of Covid and lockdowns and Brexit it took 6 weeks to arrive. Apparently they are manufactured in Germany - who would have known! Meantime, I got some cotton headbands from Ebay and used scarves and hats to cover up and to keep cosy. Amazing how chilled one gets without follicles to keep one cosy!!
The wig arrived a week or so ago and I am delighted with it [Brand: Ellen Willie Hair Power]. It came from a company called LA Hair Solutions which have places in Glasgow and Edinburgh. I shared photos of it and have had many many compliments. Looks like my own hair after I had spent a lot of money at the hairdresser having foil highlights and Brazilian Bow Dry.
I am well pleased and because I got used to wearing hats etc day and night, it feels quite comfortable and I don't even notice that I am wearing it unless I pass a mirror.
RE the eyebrows mostly lost them too! I got some great Maybelline stuff online which looks like a mascara called 'Brow Precise Fiber Filler', which is a blondish brown and has hairs in it. I just feather it on with the flat wand contained in the pack. This works a treat for me - probably looks better that my normal brows, I find it a great mood booster and would recommend for anyone who has lost brows. Also it doesn't smudge or transfer.
More power to your elbow everyone.
