Thoughts before chemo

I am just starting my journey but looks like chemo is going to start very soon so I have a group of friends coming up in 10 days for the weekend so we have decided that I will shave my hair on the Friday night with one of my closest friends doing the honors I am not delusional I hint we will all be in tears but I can't imagine losing it bit by bit Lee

My boys shaved my head after my first chemo!  They thought it was hilarious!  I cried but it was definitely the right thing to do.  I didn't end up with hair everywhere when it fell out and just started wearing my wigs a little earlier.  My hair was below my shoulders before chemo.

I have finished my chemo now (last one was 29/12/10) and my hair is growing back.  It is still not long enough to go without my wig but at least it is growing.  I am starting to feel more normal again :)

Louise x

My boys shaved my head after my first chemo!  They thought it was hilarious!  I cried but it was definitely the right thing to do.  I didn't end up with hair everywhere when it fell out and just started wearing my wigs a little earlier.  My hair was below my shoulders before chemo.

I have finished my chemo now (last one was 29/12/10) and my hair is growing back.  It is still not long enough to go without my wig but at least it is growing.  I am starting to feel more normal again :)

Louise x

I had really long hair, (nearly forever) and losing it, thru chemo was just another reminder of this process.

I was given wig maker contacts in Melb and sydney by the cancer coucil.

It is expensive, over $2000.00,  my hair was 55cm long and they have done a brilliant job. - I am REALLY HAPPY :)

It needs to be cut as soon as you are ready and as long as possible, number 5 or 8 [as you lose 5 cm in the making]

as it takes 6 weeks to finish, as its hand sewn - hence the cost.

my understanding is that if you get a letter from your doctor regarding your personal requirement of a hair prosthesis you can claim  on your taxation for this year and/or some health funds if you have 'extra's cover contribute to the purchase, a fixed amount.

I am very glad i did it, the staff at the wigmakers are very understanding and helpful and i did this from interstate over the phone, although i did go to melbourne to collect and for the final fringe trim.

It needs minimal care and can last quite a few years, and behaves just as you know your hair does,

I like being able to put my own hair on and go to the shops or out and blend into the crowd, also many people including friends can not see that i am wearing a wig, they are so shocked if i tell them & my nieces think its funny as, being able to take it off.

If you need more info, just ask

cheers, Bardoe

 

Hi there

It is all a personal decision.  I think a short cut is a good idea too but hey you may want to hang on a little longer?  I had short hair anyway and it didn't start falling out in strands until the 2nd week so just before my third treatment we had a party (I was feeling good) and shaved to a 0 blade).  I now still have stubborn stubble that is not falling out but - it is crazy how much hair we have! I think your idea about giving your hair away is wonderful. 

I got a power port inserted for my second chemo.  They had trouble first up and I will be having herceptin for 12 months so we decided to go with the port.  I will be able to swim and am find showering  I actually don't have much of a protrustion.  There is just one scar and a couple of "dots" but mainly below my bra line.  It was much easier last time and they will take my blood from it now too.

Good Luck with your first chemo.

Amanda x

 

Hi Maria

As you have long hair cutting it short is a good idea, mine was short any way and it still fell out all over the place. It takes about 16 days after the first chemo  for it to drop. My scalp got really sensitive and sore so my hubby clipped it for me and it felt great (not such a good look).

I had a PICC line put in after they tried 7 times on my 4th chemo to find a vein having only one arm to use for chemo it made sense. It was a godsend and all I have today to show for it is a tiny dot on my upper arm. I was able to have blood tests and all my drugs through it. The only draw back is no swimming but it's getting cold now. I remember going in our pool the day before I had the PICC put in thinking this is so unfair and do you know the weather was awful the whole time I had the PICC ( Nov/Dec 2010)!

Chemo is not the nicest thing to go through but you know you have to do it and it's amazing now looking back I feel great and my life is getting back to normal. So good luck and just DO IT!

Love Sarah

Hi, I had my long hair cut short for hospital but didnt have it shaved short till after my first chemo when it was about to fall out anyway.  Its a personal decision. I felt long hair falling out would be more traumatic. 

As for your veins I had a porta cath inserted in my chest because my treatment went for 18 months and I had very bad veins.  Id ask your team and talk to your oncology nurses whether your treatment would be easier that way or with a PIC line thats just in the upper arm. If you have a lot of treatments go at least for a PIC, but if not too many perservere with your arm.