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Caring for mum during chemo

Missbx3
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Hello, 

my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer around 5 months ago. She is on her second round of chemo and had 3 lots of breast surgery and lymph nodes removed.  I have been caring for her. Doing the basics such as showering her and doing the housework, etc.  

All has been ok so far but now she is losing her hair I’m finding it difficult to stay strong for her.  I’m not sleeping and when I do sleep I wake up crying. 

I’m looking for any advice on how to cheer my mum up or any tips for dealing with hair loss as her hair was her pride and joy.  It makes it worse that I have been her hairstylist for the last 10 years.  She asked me to help her brush her hair out today and when I started to take it out I just couldn’t continue. I felt like I had been doing her hair all these years to the point where she really loves it and now I’m taking it away from her and it’s breaking my heart. 

 

Any advice would be immensly appreciated

thank you x

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    Hello missbx

     

    Its hard to watch your mum go through this. I wanted ti do as much as possible but its hard not to feel helpless.

    What my mun loved was little hand and foot massages and rubs. I got some lovely organic oils and lotions and those plastic booties and gloves - a bit of pampering goes a long way.

     

    The hair is tough. My mum actually loved her wig. Her hairdresser was super and trimmed it for her to look more like her natural hair. Perhaps a hairdresser could help you out? Olive oil rubbed on scalp alao was recommended when its all out. If your mum likes scarves try trying them aroumd the head it can look great. It will start to come back quickly after treatment.

     

    Otherwise just plan nice but small treats to schedule and look froward to. My mum loves strictly so we made a special thing if watching that. Just a simple box set to follow with a blanket and a snack can be enough. 

     

    Good luck x

  • Offline in reply to ElaineD

    Thank you for your reply Elaine. 

    We have her wig sorted so hopefully she loves hers too. 

    Im going to try some of your ideas this week. Thank you so much for your advice. 

     

    Hope you and your mum are well xx

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