Facing my demon - hair loss

Hi Waidh

I hope that the blog helped. 

It is really hard to face losing your hair as for me it was a visible sign of what was going on on the inside. 

1) I had a wig. I didn't feel comfortable in it. It was itchy- however it was at the height of summer and very hot. I wore it a couple of times but felt self conscious. If it had been winter time I would probably worn woolly hats. Due to the scalp cooling I was able to disguise the hair loss- using dry shampoo, spray on hair fibres etc. 

2) I would agree the first half hour is the worst. I was able to take paracetamol before hand. I would do deep breathing and sort of zone out. Having someone to talk to for distraction helped with the first one. From the second one I would watch the clock and I knew if I could get through the first 10-15 minutes the numbness would set in. Within half an hour the sensation is more a tightness- like a really tight swimming cap. I felt headachy. But it was bearable. The inner blue cap does not go over your ears. The outer grey cap does and it is tight. To use ear phones you would probably have to have them on the whole time. 

I think it is worth trying scalp cooling and if you do not like the sensation or change your mind- they will simply turn the machine off and the coldness will start to go immediately. The outer cap could be loosened and then removed. The inner cap could be taken off within 15 minutes or so. 

Jane

Thanks Jane ..the blog did help. Until yesterday think I was a no to scalp coolIng, but the nurse was great and saying the same thing, what do you have to lose, as if you can’t bare it you can stop. He was also great in telling me my hair length was fine for it.

i feel more positive as a result.

I hope the scalp cooling works for you.  I did not do it, it is expensive here and I was ready to try a new hairdo anyway.  My hair mostly went after the first treatment.  The rest of my hair was gone after the second treatment.  I had my husband use clippers on what grew back between treatments.  I have a synthetic wig that fits well but cannot be used while cooking because it melts.  That did not get mentioned until after I paid for it.  It is a comfortable wig and close to my hair colour minus the gray.  I got compliments from friends on my new haircut.  I purchased a wig band on Amazon that helps the wig to stay on my head.  It made all the difference in comfort for me.  

i also visited a Beauty Supply store nearby.  They sell wigs as a fashion statement and had many different colours and lengths.  I purchased a couple of human hair wigs that were inexpensive.  They are not as comfortable as the more expensive synthetic wig I bought at the Cancer Centre, but I can use them while cooking and when I want a different look.  May as well have fun wth the wigs.  I too don’t want to look like a cancer patient and still have most of my energy so the wigs are used when I go out.  In the house I use soft skullcaps of various colours and patterns. They are very comfortable.  Again, I purchased on Amazon.

Thanks for your comments..really useful. Will need to look at wig bands on Amazon

Hi DidiOntario

ive been looking at wig bands on Amazon and there are quite a few different ones, is there one you would recommend, the one you used please

My friend is currently going through chemotherapy and has a few wigs now. I saw her last week with one of her wigs and it looked so pretty and natural.

Thanks, yes I have a wig taken a photo and everyone says it looks like I do now, but still can’t get my head around it.  But saying that each step of this journey I couldn’t get my head around it, and have done it. So perhaps I will feel more positive when I have finished the chemoradiotheraphy.  Thanks again…

Also I am in total admiration of the ladies I meet each day at radiotherapy who have lost their hair, so many of them with smiles. And been a lovely week, as two of them have been told they are clear, including one quite complicated cancer

I bought a set of 2 wig bands for $14 CDN.  They are Dreamlover Scarf and Wig Grips, made in China.  They wash well in the machine but I hang them up to dry.  I saw others at the Beauty Supply store but they were dark coloured.  Mine are pale beige.  

Hi

I used the scalp cooling for the first 8 sessions of my weekly chemo (plaxitacel) and only had the ‘ice cream’ headache for 10 mins at start - and it did get easier with every session - however my hair thinned anyway so I made the decision to stop.   I do think it is worth trying as everyone is different and I appreciate I did actually keep my hair for a few weeks longer than if I had not used the scalp cooling.   

I invested in a wig but finding hats much more comfortable, and have only worn the wig a few times out.   

Wishing you best of luck.