Hi. Im due to start first round of chemo Friday 25th jan. Just found out yesterday. I was told Tuesday at 1st Oncology appt. That i will lose my hair within 2 to 3 weeks of first treatment. So based on that i need to get moving. As im feeling nervous about work and everyone knowing. In adelaide i have found x3 wig suppliers 2 are by appt only and dont open all day and one in. city. It seems they are really expensie i have very tight budget. Im running out of time as work full time. Cant find a wig library anywhere. Tried RAH and google wig libraries.nothing. Its weekend so cancer council are closed. Im not sure what to do cut hair order cheaper wig or on line hope for best just to have one. Try to get into wig place. All a distsnce from me. Buy scarves and where from.Im stating to stress. Any ideas please.Also im booked into a 3 day adealide cruise the weekend aftrer chemo. So 7 to 10 days after with a whole group of people who dont know i hsve cancer. Oncologist said the side effect will be worst at 7 to 10 days. Im not sure whether to go and ride it out. I.might be fine or i might be losing my hair and feeling really sick. Im sharing cabin with 3 others. Any advice would be appreciate. Im in a spin.

Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdelaideBreastCancerFriendshipGroupChatRoom It's a private group so you need to be accepted but there shouldn't be any issue with that.

Good luck @Megs04 hope you sort everything out soon. As far as chemo goes and your cruise I guess it would be hard to make that decision as each of us react differently. It depends on the type of chemo, the strength of what your drugs will be. Each of us responds differently and have different reactions. Some manage to get through it with few problems and even manage to work whilst others like myself struggled. It is not for me to advise you either way but your Onc was right in what he said though the biggest issue would be that your immune system from day 7 to 10 will be compromised and your white blood cell count will be at its lowest and even a slight infection can cause a quick trip to the ED. I would hate to see you stuck on a cruise and nowhere to go if something arises as things can head south very quickly. All the best with everything and big hugs to you and hope you sort the wig out. xo

If you can get a wig from a library, that's your best short term option as you don't want to waste money on a wig you've bought in a rush. I wore a wig right through treatment and those who didn't need to know, didn't. Mine was synthetic, looked great, easy to wash, no styling required, cost about $200. But it's hard to know how you will feel until you actually start chemo. Do you know the people you will be sharing a cabin with? Most people start losing their hair 14 days after chemo so you may be fine on the cruise from that angle. You are advised to take care about temperature levels and possible infections but many people are fine. It might help to calmly tot up the pros and cons of taking the trip and then decide. Best wishes. There is no good time to start all this but you have started and therefore can start thinking now about when treatment ends.

Hi @Megs04, have sent you a private message about posting you my wig,wendy55

Wigs chemo cruise | BCNA Online Network

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Tracey2800
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7 years ago
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Tracey2800
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7 years ago
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Hi @Megs04

is cold/cool capping an option for you? I’ve had 2 chemo cycles wearing the cool cap and while I’ve lost hair, people can’t tell.

Ive bought some funky scarves and learnt how to tie them should the time come for a complete hair chop.

Posted a pic below of how my hair looks.

Good luck XX
poodlejules
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7 years ago
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Have you tried the Cancer Council @Megs04? Ours here in Melbourne have a wig library. There was a great selection but there weren't any longer styles so I ended up buying a synthetic one which my hairdresser trimmed to look like my own hair . It was around $200 but I wore it out and about from Feb til August and it stood the test. Was lovely and cosy in Winter too!
Good luck with everything xox
Sister
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7 years ago
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I thought that was you @Megs04
Megs04
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7 years ago
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Thanks @Sister ive joined the fb group they are very welcoming
wendy55
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7 years ago
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Hi @Megs04, have sent you a private message about posting you my wig,

wendy55
Sister
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7 years ago
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Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdelaideBreastCancerFriendshipGroupChatRoom It's a private group so you need to be accepted but there shouldn't be any issue with that.
Afraser
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7 years ago
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If you can get a wig from a library, that's your best short term option as you don't want to waste money on a wig you've bought in a rush. I wore a wig right through treatment and those who didn't need to know, didn't. Mine was synthetic, looked great, easy to wash, no styling required, cost about $200.
But it's hard to know how you will feel until you actually start chemo. Do you know the people you will be sharing a cabin with? Most people start losing their hair 14 days after chemo so you may be fine on the cruise from that angle. You are advised to take care about temperature levels and possible infections but many people are fine. It might help to calmly tot up the pros and cons of taking the trip and then decide. Best wishes. There is no good time to start all this but you have started and therefore can start thinking now about when treatment ends.
kitkatb
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7 years ago
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Good luck @Megs04 hope you sort everything out soon. As far as chemo goes and your cruise I guess it would be hard to make that decision as each of us react differently. It depends on the type of chemo, the strength of what your drugs will be. Each of us responds differently and have different reactions. Some manage to get through it with few problems and even manage to work whilst others like myself struggled. It is not for me to advise you either way but your Onc was right in what he said though the biggest issue would be that your immune system from day 7 to 10 will be compromised and your white blood cell count will be at its lowest and even a slight infection can cause a quick trip to the ED. I would hate to see you stuck on a cruise and nowhere to go if something arises as things can head south very quickly. All the best with everything and big hugs to you and hope you sort the wig out. xo
kmakm
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7 years ago
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I hoped to hide it as well. Some do manage to, but I very quickly realised I couldn't from those I know. If you go the wig route and and manage to keep working through chemo it's certainly possible.

My hair started to fall out on Day 13 (between the legs!) and on Day 14 the head hair started coming away.

Day 7 - 10 is when your immune system is at its lowest. This is when it's easiest to pick up a germ. If you get a fever of over 38° at anytime during chemo you have to go immediately to hospital otherwise you can get very seriously and dangerously ill very fast. Having said that, I didn't get ill once during chemo. K xox