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

14 Replies

Megs04
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Sister whats the name of the s the BC facebook page please
Megs04
Member
7 years ago
Thanks Ill try ring RAH today. Im just worried about the time to get things done. All of a sudden it feels really quick. And i can ring rhe breast care nurse Monday. Im feeling like its this weekend and next to get things sorted. Thanks for ebay idea. I was hoping to hide it but its dawning on me easier said than done
Shellshocked201
Member
7 years ago
Hi Megs04. I’m also here in Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Do you have a breast care nurse? She may have information on where there are wig libraries in your area.
There is a wig library at Victor Harbor close to where I live, been told there is one at RAH as well.
Im yet to start Chemo, my appointment to visit oncologist is the day you start Chemo.
Ive ordered some headscarves of Ebay at a good price.
As for your cruise, someone else will come forward with their experiences with Chemo as everyone copes with it differently.
Good Luck , sending hugs 😘
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@Megs04 RAH do have a wigs library. It's run by the volunteers (previously known as the Lavender Ladies and Lads). I think it's only open on weekdays (9-4? but could be wrong about times). The deal is $25 for wig hire for as long as you need it. You get one exchange in that. They have lots of wigs but not a great deal of longer styles and they are lovely to deal with (Isobel fitted mine and she was so sweet). The volunteers (and the wig library) are situated just inside the main doors and tucked in to the right. I think the direct number is 7074 1246 but if I've got that wrong just dial the main switchboard and ask to speak to the volunteers. I think you do need to make an appointment but I had no trouble getting one for the time that suited me.

Wigs are horrendously expensive and might be a good investment if you are going to wear one all of the time but I certainly didn't.

Are you on the Adelaide BC facebook group? That may be another option - you could ask if anyone has one that they are no longer using but you do need to make sure that it will fit you. Unfortunately, I have already given mine away or you could have had it.

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Wigs chemo cruise

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