Chemo + Hair Loss

[Bathsheba2]

and wigs. Anyone got any tips/suggestions? Being vain and superficial I'm finding it difficult to celebrate that I've been declared cancer-free with the prospect of Chemo looming :(

Don't know which type or when until I seen Oncologist on the 15th.

Baths
x x x

[Mamyalynne]

They are great at the Christie for helping you on this issue Baths , ask if you can speak to someone once you know if your Chemo is likely to cause hair loss.

[Mamyalynne]

A little more info and contact details here...


http://www.christie.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/living-with-and-beyond-cancer/patient-support-services/headstart/

[dannyk13]

Baths, not all chemo causes hair loss.My daughter has just finished a course without any hair loss.I think it depends on what type of cancer is being treated..My best wishes go with you.

[MargoTester]

Baths a friend of mine had chemo and did not lose her hair it involved putting some form of a 'hat' on during treatment which apparently can be a bit uncomfortable. I'm a bit sketchy on the details but it may be worth asking about. Another friend bought the best wig she could afford and it look great. At the back of my mind I seem to remember that that is a charity that can help with wigs. I am celebrating you being cancer free xxx Sorry this is all a bit hazy.

[Bathsheba2]

Thanks danny :P)

Great site Mamya, thanks so much! As soon as I saw the curly one it cheered me up! I used to have spiral perms, and I loved them :)

Just wish I was nearer the Christie, as I daren't attempt to drive myself there :(

Baths
x x x

[Bathsheba2]

Thanks Margo, I'm a bit sketchy myself these days :) I wonder if you were thinking of a cold cap? Some places it says folk can use them before treatment.

danny, sorry, I didn't answer you properly...the Macmillan nurse told me that if I was treated with Carboplatin on its own, there wouldn't be hair loss, but if it was used with Taxol, then there would.

Baths
x x

[dannyk13]

Fingers crossed the Baths.

[dannyk13]

^then^

[MargoTester]

Yes that's it - a cold cap. Perhaps you should make a list of all the things you want to ask before your appointment on the 15th, that's what I do these days otherwise I always get home and think 'oh I should have asked ...' In my case it's old age :-)

[Bathsheba2]

Margo...thanks for celebrating for me ;)
Yep, I will make notes, I did last time, that's how I got names of chemo :)
After chemo I've got brachytherapy to look forward to...eeeuuww ;)

Thanks again danny, fingers eyes and legs crossed please ;)

Baths
x x x

[Bathsheba2]

Mamya! I've just watched a video on the link you posted! They have scarves pre-tied and shaped!! Feel loads better about things now, thanks so much :)

Baths
x x x

[Mamyalynne]

You're very welcome, I heard nothing but good about them in the chats I had with people there.

They'll be very knowledgeable and friendly.

[ethandron]

During chemo and radiotherapy treatment for a brain tumour, my sister saw the 'wig lady' at the hospital. My sister bought two wigs but as it turned out she found a few hats more comfortable.
She had a rather fetching grey tweed baker boy cap, a small soft burgundy beanie type hat with a small rolled brim and a stalk on top, and a squashy black velvet hat with a slightly larger brim.
She found the hats much more comfortable than the wigs, but that was just her, I'm sure you'll find something you feel happy with.
Keep in mind your hair will grow back too. Best wishes to you x

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Baths is there not a Christie cancer unit at Oldham Royal now? I seem to remember reading they were opening these satellite units around Greater Manchester. They were to be totally staffed by Christies and not the hospital. You may be able to attend there once you have had your initial visit at the main hospital.

[Bathsheba2]

aaww, thanks ethandron. I think I'll probably do both...wear a wig on some days, and a funky scarf on others! Was heartened to see sleep caps there also.
What a shame I wasn't told about this before, but then I suppose the Macmillan nurses are assigned to particular hospitals, and the one at the hospital where I had the op just briefly mentioned about wigs at The Christie, but didn't go into any more detail.
Thanks for the good wishes :)

Baths
x x x

[Bathsheba2]

Baker's,...the place at Oldham is almost entirely for breast cancer.

Baths
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[BAKERS DOZEN]

Thanks for that. Did not know.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

When I had my op at the Christie the anaesthetist came round the evening before just to do some final checks. Mr BD was there and he reassured him that he was only taking away the nursery but leaving the playground. Made us laugh. Nice way of looking at things. Good luck with everything.

[Bathsheba2]

:) x x

[Bathsheba2]

sorry Baker's, I hadn't seen this post when I put smiley. That's reassuring, to have an anaesthetist with a sense of humour....the one I had told us he had only just watched that film, the name of which escapes me, where the patient came out of the anaesthetic but couldn't let anyone know because he was paralysed by another drug. Don't believe he had recently watched it, but it broke the ice anyway ;) x x