My hair is coming off tomorrow :-(

I remember well the feeling of loss and my beautiful long locks first were cut shorter for hosputal then shorter again when We knew I was going to have chemo and lose my hair. Still nothing prepares one for the itchy scratchy scalp. Kept scratching my head as 4 of us played cards on day 16 after chemo saying this is driving me crazy but at least I haven't lost my hair yet - maybe I won't!. Got up at the end of the game and saw all this hair on the ground! Cried a lot..

I also insisted on having some photos taken with each family member before chemo started and then when I could during the process. I wanted a memory for me and so the boys could look back later on and see the changes as younger one was in his HSC year.

Wish I had more of my lymphoedema journey but by then sons had moved out  (diagnosis week after older sons wedding) and hubby didn't want to take any photos of me only talk about all his woes as usual. (We now are separated)

Other things happened nausea, numb feet and hands from Taxol various allergies which I still have but hair loss seemed the worst. 

Like others, I had bought a wig - I just felt uncomfortable in it winter and then summer as my head continued to itch if I wore it so I made myself some cotton headscarves out of patchwork in various colours so I could still co-ordinate as usual. Also wore those ghastly cotton terry towel cap things but only at home on bad days after chemo and to bed so my bald head didn't freeze. 

teenage sons said didn't mind my nude head - that it until I tried to go out like that  ...then it was don't you think you've forgotten soemthings? do you want to try the wig or one of your lovely scarves?

please note silk or synthetic e.g. polyester scarves do not breathe so make irritable scalps worse.

Believe me in the overall scheme of things hair loss is minor since just temporary manifestation of your treatment and vulnerable state while on chemo, suffering chemo brain and likely to catch any bug in an office or other public air conditioned envcvironment.

Be kind to yourself and consider whether you should work while having chemo. Good since "normality" but bad since makes you vulnerable to catching flus and other bugs. perhaps Concentrate on phone calls and econtact for a while?

In the end it is up to you and your medical team to decide what suits your circumstances and health.

hope this helps,

your pink sister,

Carol