Hair Loss and Wig question

Hi Julie

I live in Far North Queensland and I had to fill in a voucher from the Queensland Cancer Council and they paid the full price of my wig (back in 2007) and my wig was not unlike your hair in your profile pic.

My wig was about $300 and the Queensland Cancer council paid the full price, so I do believe that they are all different even within the same state.

Medibank Private also gave me a rebate on my second wig too, (had a whole selection).

Good luck for your first chemo.

Tanya xx

Thanks  Julie, and  good luck  to  you  on  the  14th. Funnily  enough   I  was  thinking  of  "chickening  out"  of  getting  my  hair  cut on  the  9th, for  fear  that  I  may  be  getting it  done  too  soon!  However , I  want  to  take  some  of  my "power"  back , and   being  the   one  to  "choose"  when  it  goes .  I  will  probably  still  go  along  with it, like  you , I  too  am hair   obsessed , but  I   have  got  a  nice  wig, so   "  number 2  "   here  I  come  !  Chas

Hi Chas,

Thanks for replying. I don't think the Qld government is so generous as the WA government, however I will be checking with the private health insurance. I was presently surprised at the prices, as I thought they were gong to up in the high hundreds. Compared to what it costs me every 6 weeks at the hair dresser I'm going to be saving money. Well then again, I've chosen two wigs and I think I may develop a wig fetish.

Good luck with getting your hair cut, cooincidently I have a hair dressers appt. next Saturday, however I'm thinking of cancelling it as I think it's going to be too overwhelming and emotional for me. I'm thinking of getting one of those hairdressers that make house calls. At the end of the day, it's not a hairstyle I'm keeping. I always new I was over the top about my hair, but as the time is getting closer I'm finding this hair thing is really affecting me. I think it is the one thing that has really hit hard. I'll be thinking of you when I get my hair cut Chas.

Thanks

Julie

Hi Jul ie,    I am in  the   same    situation as  you are. Here in  WA   we  get  a  $160.00  voucher   from  the   hospital  towards  the  cost  of  buying a  wig. I asked  the  nurse for  the   voucher    when I  had  just  finished  my  first  round  of  Chemo, and  then  you  give it  to the   provider  of  the  wig  you purchase. It  may  not  be  the  same  in Qld . I  am in private  health  cover , and  they  will  give  me   back  85%  of  the  remaining  cost of  the  wig. I  too  am   thinking  of  getting  my  hair  all  cut off   end of next  week, as  I  cant   face  the  thought  of  it  dropping  out  on  it's own. All  the  best  with  your  treatment . Chas

Hi Julie, As far as I understand the hair loss is based on the cocktail of drugs that you are given, the time it takes to fall out will be based on how strong your hair is.

I have not heard about the cancer councils' voucher, would be best to phone them. Each state does differ. If you have privatehealth cover your oncologist can write you a letter stating why you need the wig and they may cover a percentage of the cost. Also keep every single receipt as you can claim many out of pocket expenses when doing your tax.

 As far as your hair I had mine cut quite short before it started falling out. I bought myself a couple of chemo caps (plain cotton) and a satin pillowcase as it doesn't pull on your hair as much as the cotton pillowcases. Once my hair started fallling out I would pull it out with my fingers before I got in the shower, just so there would be less mess. My head is cold and I have bought a  few hats and beanies. Ask around about the wig, your hairdresser may know and will have contacts to ask around.

All the very best for the 14th. Welcome to the pink ladies.

Maria333

Hi Julie, As far as I understand the hair loss is based on the cocktail of drugs that you are given, the time it takes to fall out will be based on how strong your hair is.

I have not heard about the cancer councils' voucher, would be best to phone them. Each state does differ. If you have privatehealth cover your oncologist can write you a letter stating why you need the wig and they may cover a percentage of the cost. Also keep every single receipt as you can claim many out of pocket expenses when doing your tax.

 As far as your hair I had mine cut quite short before it started falling out. I bought myself a couple of chemo caps (plain cotton) and a satin pillowcase as it doesn't pull on your hair as much as the cotton pillowcases. Once my hair started fallling out I would pull it out with my fingers before I got in the shower, just so there would be less mess. My head is cold and I have bought a  few hats and beanies. Ask around about the wig, your hairdresser may know and will have contacts to ask around.

All the very best for the 14th. Welcome to the pink ladies.

Maria333