Hi there

I went through chemo two years ago. I tried  the cold cap it didn't work for me and was losing my hair. I was so upset as it felt like cancer was taking something else from me. I decided to take control so cut my hair off and had a friend shave the rest. Taking control made me feel better losing your body hair is most likely why we feel cold so much. It felt like being cold but wet ist the same time s the only way I can describe how I felt. Do you have a Macmillan nurse or Macmillan dept within the hospital or breast care nurses. They should be able to offer support and advice.  You're also entitled to a voucher towards the cost of a wig. Try searching for any cancer charities in your area that have support groups and activities. They sometimes have used wigs donated by previous patients. The voucher doesn't cover the cost of a wig which is pretty sad considering the cost of a decent wig. I mostly wore soft scarf type caps I bought from Amazon and other online shops. Other things you may want to consider are how good your veins are. I had a picc line inserted into my arm as they couldn't use my right arm for risk of lymphodema and my veins aren't great. It saves the trauma of having needles each time they have to take blood prior to chemo treatment. My first chemo I hadn't had picc line put in so it took warming my arm up to find my vein running my arm under warm water to using a heating pad.  I now have a corded vein from that first session. But once I had the picc line put in it made life easier. 

Good luck with your treatment and if I can help with any other questions let me know x

Thank you for your reply. I have just had a PICC line put in no trouble at all . I am due to look at wigs tomorrow to see what I think. I will also get some head scarves. For me if I think a wig is really suitable I will pay what it ever the cost this is very important for me.I have spoken to Mc Millan and as she said it's my choice but I have decided not to try the cold cap.

Thank you for your reply and I hope all is well with you now xx

Hi Fluff ( Jan) .

So pleased to hear you've had yoir pic line put in and had no problems,that's great news . And yes I know how you feel about paying whst ever you have to to get a nice wig . You can get a voucher from the staff who are looking after you,in the breast unit,its worth asking thrm  about it,the only draw back to thst is you have to go to use it in a specific place,they will let you know where that is. Mine was around  24/36 miles.awsy from where I live,but mybson took me. I actualy bought 3 wigs ,two synthetic lace cap wigs ,one a bob  and one longer lengh ,like my hair was. And becsuse i had a wedding to go to I bought a real hair wig, long lengh which was £700. But because of covid wedding was cancelled, and they just git married with family. So I never wore it. To be honest I preffered the synthetic wigs ,The real hair wig had a middle parting, the lasy who was styling it and showing me it said ir could be tonged and I could put the parting to the side if I wanted,as that's where my real hair parting would of been,but it just wouldn't go into a side parting ,I tried everything to try to get it to stay, as a side parting ,but it kept going back to the middle. I woukd not of bought it  if I wasn't told it could be styled into a side parting  I believed the lady,wish I hadn't lol. But I loved the synthetic ones, they were great. Im sute you will find some great wigs, that make you feel a bit like you again,as that's a great feeling.  I wore turbans and headscarf indoors as it was a very hot summer, and the wigs after wearing thrm for hours in thst heat,do make your head hot, and its great to get thrm off indoors lol. 

Thanks for keeping me updated ,so pleased your pic lines in now,mine couldn't be done in time for my first chemotherapy session, so first one I had to have a candular, hate those lol. But much easier with a pic line . Enjoy the rest of the weekend and the sunshine xx

Picc lines make it so much easier. I used to joke and say they just plug me in and away we go .  Did you get a prescription for a  limbo? Its a waterproof sleeve for when you shower or bathe. I found it easier to bathe as I could keep my arm out the water without using the sleeve. I also bought myself a shower stool as I grew tired easily standing in the shower plus long bones would ache as I got towards end of the chemo and when finished.. You could also use a hot water bottle with cold water and keep in fridge or freezer for the times you get too hot especially in this warm weather. I would use a separate one for when you need to keep warm or invest in a heat pad from Amazon which is like a mini heated blanket but the size of a hot water bottle. So no chance of rubber perishing and being scolded.  You should also qualify for heating grant I can't remember who I contacted for this I think it was  universal credit . I was working full time when I had my breast cancer but hadn't been with the company long enough for company sick pay so had the standard SSP. Also make sure you get exemption certificate for prescription they're free for 5 years. I didn't know about it the first time I had cancer. I have a zometa bone infusion every 6 months as my breast cancer was hormone based so this helps the bones. I was also on Abemaciclib which is to prevent further breast cancer going into the bones. I had my first haircut Msy this year which felt like Christmas. I'm now waiting for reconstruction which I've been told is a years waiting list as I'm not a priority as I don't have cancer! Considering I couldn't have reconstruction until I was clear and then finished Abemaciclib as this lowers immune system plus prevents blood clotting as quick, so basically like a blood thinner x

Hi the yes I have the prescription for the sleeve and my prescription is free anyway because of my age!. I will look into heat pad etc. Not sure if we would get any financial help as my husband is still working.I also have to have drugs for my bones. Brilliant for first haircut long way off for me,!

Thanks a lot take care xx

Hi the yes I have the prescription for the sleeve and my prescription is free anyway because of my age!. I will look into heat pad etc. Not sure if we would get any financial help as my husband is still working.I also have to have drugs for my bones. Brilliant for first haircut long way off for me,!

Thanks a lot take care xx

Hi there,

Good luck with your treatment. I hope it all goes well.  Chemo has come a long way compared to the past and huge improvements in the anti sickness drugs. The chemo nurses are fab and will most likely talk you through the  process as they sit with you at the beginning of each treatment and any effects that occur.

Best wishes x

Thank you