Oh yes, Rachael, that would be a tremendous help, wouldn't it?

BB xx

Hello River

No-one knows what it's like for a woman to lose her hair like this, do they, except another woman.

I've gone completely mad and picked up a wig from the hospital yesterday the sizing of which is adjustable, and have ordered 2 wigs on line, all much the same colour but different styles. 

I hope you don't mind me asking, but did you have any mishaps with your wig when you went out in it especially if it was windy and do they ride up at the back?  I was at the bus stop yesterday and the wind was blowing and all I could think of was that I hope it doesn't blow my (own) hair out.  Irrational, I know, but once you get thoughts like that in your mind, you can't get rid of them, can you?

How are you these days?

Battling Babe xx

Hi BB ..... yes you are right, you do get pain before your hair falls out. Kind of like you have had your hair in a tight pony tail and then let it out, is the only way I can describe it.  It really helps with the pain to have your hair cut very short whilst you are in the 'falling out' phase, or even shaved off if you are brave enough.

My hair is just growing back (for the third time) and during hair loss this time I have worn my wig mostly but a scarf  on a really warm day (wigs are hot!!!).  I think it natural to worry that people will notice you are wearing a wig, but they honestly dont and it is just a mindset of building your own confidence which takes a little time.  A good wig shouldnt ride up at the back and hopefully the person supplying it to you was trained to ensure you get a perfect fit.  If not, go back for adjustments.  You can buy products for synthethic wigs such as gel, spray, etc to give you a bit of umphh just as you can with your normal hair, and set with a good hairspray which also helps.

Rachael ........  many of the new drugs are now targeted to only killing the cancer cells (targeted chemotherapy) and I have had a few of them.  Also helps with the other side effects too!  This is definitely the way forward for all sorts of reasons but how long it will take for them to become NICE approved is a whole different subect lol!

Love to all xxx

Hi Babe as my chemo w​as during the winter and I love hats I used to go out most of the time in one of my many hats. I wore my wig when going out with friends and occasionally shopping. I never had any mishaps but was never really comfortable until my hair started to grow back, it seemed to hold the wig better. Nobody ever though I had a wig on and I even got asked where I had my hair done. Just been to my exercise class (very moderate dance based) & they have all been commenting on how good my hair looks & how quick it has grown. Keep smiling R

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Hello Max56

Thanks so much for replying.  Yes, how you describe the pain is spot on.  I have had my hair cut shorter than it was and my hairdresser has "kindly" offered to shave it for me but I'm nowhere near brave enough for that.  I now watch Kyle Kaine on Ideal World for his wigs but they are mainly very short, pixie type cuts and I'm certainly not a pixie person.  I'm reluctant to try the wig on properly in case I pull more hair out.  Silly, I know because it will come out eventually and I know I'm putting off the inevitable.  When you wore your scarf did you buy a special, ready made one or use a normal one? Did you feel confident wearing it or feel that it would slip off?  I hope you don't mind me asking these questions.  I have asked staff at the hospital but they don't know as they're not going through it.  Thanks also for the advice about gel, spray etc that you can buy for synthetic wigs.  That would certainly help.

I didn't know about "targeted chemotherapy".  How was it for you?  As you say, how long it will take for NICE to approve it (if at all) is anybody's guess.  NICE is another unnecessary "tier" in connection with an over-stretched, poorly-managed and rapidly crumbling NHS.

BB xx

Hi BB ..... It really isnt a good idea to buy a wig without trying it first. You may like the look of one and then find that it doesnt suit you at all.  The best thing to do is to make an appt at a really good wig shop and try on as many as you can - long, short and all different colours - until you find one that suits you and that feels really comfortable to wear.  A good 'fitter' will put a net over your own hair so that you do not keep pulling it out when you try on each wig.  They will also cut the wig if you need say a shorter fringe or a few more layers etc.  Book a daytrip to London and I will give you the name of a really great wig shop!! 

With regards to scarves.  The trick is to make sure that you do not buy a silky one - and you also will probably find it easier if you have a perfect square.  Square scarves are very difficult to find nowadays, but if you buy one of the longer rectangle ones that seem to be in the shops then you can cut them and make two squares.  I normally fold mine corner-to-corner so as to make a large triangle and go from there. If you have a cancer centre at your local hospital, they normally have scarf-tying workshops or you can go on utube for some tips too.  I have never had a scarf slip off, but I do tie them firmly. A friend gave me a great tip too...... She wears a little stretchy hat and then secures and pins her scarf to that for extra safety. You can buy a skull hat/cap online and just use short 'dress' pins or a brooch to add a bit of bling.

Have a good weekend BB x

@Max - You? Weird? Surely not!

Seriously - as you know my chemo made me cold sensitive, with a risk of laryngheal spasms for a couple of days after my infusions. Not good in the middle of Winter with temperatures outside the hospital well below zero. I ended up with a woolly scarf wrapped around my head and used that as an air filter.

I avoided anyone who looked or sounded even a bit sniffy. My two nephews were virtually banned from the house as they both had one cold after another!

I don't know about carbon emissions and Chinese people but apparently the Japanese wear them for the opposite reason, to stop themselves giving colds and flu to others when they suspect they may be coming down with a cold or recovering from one. www.medicaldaily.com/does-wearing-surgical-mask-during-flu-season-really-prevent-you-or-those-around-you-321452