Hi McG .... welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  I am a fellow BC sufferer, although sadly have secondary disease.  We all react very differently about losing our hair - I felt sad but not overwhelmed by it. It seemed a  small inconvenience in the huge scheme of things but maybe by focusing on your hair it's your mind's way of coping with all the other stuff. I have now lost my hair for the third time.

You can wear a "cold cap" throughout the chemotherapy sessions and it will give you a very good chance of keeping your hair.  Maybe Google it and talk to your team about it -I'm sure they will offer that service.  If you decide against it, invest in a good wig and maybe choose the style whilst you still have hair so you can try to replicate it. I would advise waiting until your hair goes to actually buy one so you get the correct fit.  If you are easily accessible to London, I can give you the name of a fab shop!

This whole 'journey' is full of difficult decisions and sometimes you feel very alone with it all. Please remember that you are not, and come to the forum for advice and support when you need a chat.  Also remember that the plus side of losing your hair is no more leg shaving for a while lol. Take care xx

Hi max56!

thank you for your reply. 

I feel silly even worrying about it; people have gone through worse things. And you're right, in the grand scheme of it all it's just hair! 

I need to remember it's just hair. 

I had it cut this afternoon so it's not such a shock when it does start to fall out. 

Thank you!!

i hope you're feeling ok x

McG .... great idea to get your hair cut, it is a lot less traumatic and pain-free.  I had long heavy hair the first time round and hadnt realised that it actually 'hurts' to lose your hair. I dont know how to explain but it is not 'hurt' in a pain way but it feels like you have had your hair tied up in a really tight ponytail and then let it out, if you know that feeling?  Also - I am told that the Cold Cap is a lot more effective on short hair if you choose to go that route.

Dont feel silly honey - we are all different - some are devastated to have a masectomy whilst others embrace it with a tattoo.  Many people feel the way you do about their hair and it is a very scary thing to go through, as are all the associated things with this disease.  Please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting along x

Hey..

yeah, I know the feeling you mean. I had long hair years ago. I've watched quite a few blogs on YouTube recently and some of the women have described that pain when they've started to lose their hair. 

My partner said she's going to spray my head so I look like a bauble at Christmas lol! She helps me see the funny side. 

I just want to get my chemo started now, did you feel like that?

thanks for chatting, it's nice to chat with someone who knows what's what :)

x

Hiya ....... yep I did feel the same way. Once you have a treatment plan you just want to get started. A good tip I was given was to keep a diary of how you are feeling physically from day one of chemo. It really helps you to monitor any side effects you may have and to get an idea of the pattern the side effects follow.  I see you been given a date for your first infusion, so not long now.

I like the sound of the Xmas bauble lol!  Stick a bit of holly on the top too!  So glad that you have a supportive Other Half, it really is a Godsend.  I am sure she is worried sick about you but being able to have a laugh throughout it all will help you both tremendously.  I have always been of the opinion that I can either sit and cry every day or laugh every day and the outcome will be the same - so I may as well enjoy myself as much as is possible.  Not always easy I know and I get my blips, as I'm sure you both will.

Sending kind thoughts your way and speak soon x

Hiya...

yeah, she's amazing! 

Lol the bauble idea made me laugh so hard. We're going to have to get a bit arts and crafts and make the little crown thing that has the hoop on top of the bauble and some how secure it to my head haha!

so how are you now, if you don't mind me asking? Are you still having treatment? 

Ive got my 'new talk' tomorrow :) oh...do you know if you can request a picc line or do I have to go with whatever they think? I'm thinking having a picc will be easier with all the blood tests, chemo etc

x

Hiya!  

I think those little velcro squares would work a treat or a big blob of bluetack!!!!!!!!!  You MUST post a photo!

I really dont know much about picc lines - I have a portacath but it wasnt put in until about 3yrs ago and by that time I had been through MANY infusions and bloodtests (weekly for around 9 months plus the original 8 cycles after first diagnosis).  It is something that your chemo team can tell you about but I wouldnt honestly have thought you will have too much trouble if you are just having 8 cycles, 3-weekly.  Thats only 8 cannulas and 8 bloodtests over 24weeks.  As far as I am aware piccs are only put in when chemo is an ongoing thing. Remember there is a real risk of infection if something is left in your vein and chemo will lower your immune system, so I wouldnt think it would be done unless it was absolutely necessary.

I am doing ok considering that I have extensive spread - but cant complain (or wont haha).  I am still on chemo and herceptin for an indefinite period as my disease is sadly Stage 4. You take care x

Hi there i felt the same way ..even though i had just been disgnosed with breast cancer and the thought of chemo and radio the only thing that filled me with dread was losing my hair ..i thought if i never brushed or washed it wouldnt fall out but how wrong was i ..i even dreamt that washing it with coffee would prevent it falling out lol .seeing it go bit by bit was unbearable so i got up one morning and shaved it off best thing i done felt such a relieve ..made an appoitment with the wig shop thanks to the NHS plenty of styles and colours to choose from and very helpfull and undetstanding staff who were more than happy to look through tons of designs untill they found one that was so  similar to my own hair  that only close friends and family new it was a wig .now it is growing back better and thicker than it was before ..sending big hugs xx.

Hey!

you were right...I asked about the picc line and the nurse said the same as you. It makes more sense to have cannulas. 

I like you're attitude and I feel awful complaining to you when you've got enough to deal with. I probably sound so silly lol. 

Wednesday is my first cycle

take care x

Hey Heldo18!

I was dreading it but after speaking to lovely people on here, the nurses and my partner I'm like "it's just hair" 

I'm going to wait until I see the wig guy on Wednesday and when I start to see it fall out I'll shave it off. 

Im just ready to get started now. It's ironic how quickly these last few days are going compared to the weeks I've been waiting. 

How are you doing?

sending big hugs to you too xx