Hair Loss
Wed, 11/03/2009 - 12:21
My cousin (who is a woman)is beginning chemo and wants to get a wig can anyone suggest someone in Sydney who is good and makes comfortable wigs at a realistic price. Have been on the net looking for her and am totally confused. She has 3 young daughters and is going to shave her hair as soon as can find wig. Any who has any ideas greatly appreciated.
Wed, 11/03/2009 - 12:23
#2
Hair Loss
Hi. I was told about The Tracey Scone Wig Library (Darlinghurst) www.arrow.org.au by a breast care nurse. I went there today and picked out a wig which I can borrow for as long as I like. The ladies there were great. I went wig window shopping last week and found that prices varied from $130 - $1400 (medical prices!)
Wed, 11/03/2009 - 12:24
#3
Hair Loss
after many months of chemo i didnt have a single hair anywhere on my head or body. the worst was my loss of eyelashes and eyebrows. i was pretty grey before the chemo. when it did grow back it was darker and with NO GREY HAIR. i am about to undergo radiotherapy...i wonder what color it will grow back, probably red hee hee
Thu, 19/03/2009 - 18:10
#4
Re: Hair Loss
I also lost every hair on my body and head. I had my final radiation treatment in April 08, my hair didnt really come through until November 08 and then it was a little 'military' style 1/2inch. Now in March 09 I have about 1 1/2inches of hair, its been very slow. the texture is bizarre, i have very fine hair, now its like it was singed all over, horrible...
I didnt get a wig, i wore all sorts of hats and gave the cost of a wig to the Breast Cancer network...I want a cure more than hair.
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 11:43
#5
Re: Hair Loss
Hi there everyone, I hope you are doing ok.
I strongly recommend the "Look Good Feel Better program" - http://www.lgfb.org.au/ excellent for women who have just been diagnosed. It helps prepare you for side effects of treatment and how to cope with hair loss, options for scarves, hats, wigs - many styles and cosmetics that complement your type of skin - eg. olive, fair, oily/dry/sensitive and how to apply esp (when no eyebrows or lashes). I found excellent advice there plus bonus cosmetics (for free) at a time when I felt incredibly low.
The time I went it was just after first chemo and met many other women with BC so it was good to feel normal again.
The brochure I have is for the Wig Affair http://www.wigaffair.com.au they also have a mobile wig service (they come to you) and can put you in touch with someone in your/your friend's/relative's area eg north, south, east or west.
PS. I forgot to mention, if you are in a health fund you may be able to obtain a wig (at little or no cost). You will need a letter in support from your oncologist stating you need to wear a wig for medical reasons.
I was treated during summer and could not tolerate much on my head. I prefer to collect a lot of info to have options before making a decision.
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 11:33
#6
Re: Hair Loss
I must admit i did that course and found it a huge waste of time, the ladies running it were rude and cold. I have an allergy to the red dye in the stuff they wash their hands in and they decided it was just easier to ignore me. They were all quite old and had some very old fashioned ideas of makeup. I realise that all programs are run by different people, so im hoping that not everyone had the same experience i had. We did get some bonus cosmetics for free, definetly not colours i'd wear (maybe my grandmother would) but free all the same..
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 11:57
#7
Re: Hair Loss
Gabrielle,
Sorry you had a bad experience and that's what these forums are for. To share experiences and information.
When I attended nobody touched me with their hands. Cleansers, wipes and mirrors were provided. There were a mix of ladies from older women to younger which showed the group how to apply and we all applied ourselves. There was one person volunteered for make-up, another one or two for wigs and a couple more for the scarves.
Some women had mentioned that perhaps they didn't complete the forms correctly with eye colour, hair colour, skin colour and texture - because often people are in a state of shock or having chemo at the time. One lady had a recurrence and gone to the program for a second time. She had asked for a different eyeliner and the ladies (who are volunteers) were accommodating.
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 12:25
#8
Re: Hair Loss
Ohh, im not knocking it, i know they are volunteers and its all for free. Some ladies said they loved it. I had filled out the forms carefully but the colours i was given were for someone 3 times my age. We had a local hairdresser showing us wigs and scarves..he is wonderful and did a great job. I just felt that i would feel a whole lot better donating the money and wearing a hat and scarf.
It is and always should be an individual thing.
I do wish i'd have been given more information about my hair loss, the fact that not all women actually get their hair back, it is usually very different when it does grow back, that it can be thin in places or even all over..etc etc... some may not want to know the possibilities but i felt that knowing what could happen made me feel more empowered to make decisions and prepare myself for the future...i was so disappointed at how slowly it grew back, if i'd known it was slow i wouldnt have worried so much
Thu, 02/04/2009 - 19:55
#9
Re: Hair Loss
Hi everyone.
I'm glad I borrowed a wig from the Tracey Scone wig Library and not bought one. I think I wore the wig 4 times for short periods. I found it to be too uncomfortable so instead a bought a number of silk scarves off ebay so that I could wear something on my head when I left the house. The money I saved by not buying a wig allowed me to spend it on things that were of more benefit to me.
I went to 2 look good feel better workshops, one that was run at the hospital and the other that was part of a womens day workshop.
I also found the advice on makeup application outdated. Perhaps the organisers could add a field on the form relating to age and lifestyle of a woman. I'm sure a 20 year old who reads cosmopolitan may not feel comfortable wearing coral lipstick and blush.
When I first found out about the workshop I decided I wanted to attend so that I could meet women who I could relate to on some level and if I was lucky I would find a nice shade of lipstick.
I met some wonderful, strong, happy women at the workhshops and 2 shades of lipstick and an eyeliner that I like and wear. The bits and pieces that weren't for me I gave away to family and St Vincents de Paul. I felt that I had met my objective and I also saw 1920 style hats that I liked. I was disappointed when I went to buy the hats the next day. I showed the lady the picture of the hat that I was after and then I was ushered into a room, left to my own devices. I was not offered any advice or service. The enthusiasm and passion that I saw the day before at the workshop was not evident in the store. I did buy the hats as I loved them and I also left disappointed for the lack of service.
Lastly, when my hair started to grow back it looked like I had a head full of duck down. It was strange to see hair that looked like it should be on a duck so I decided to shave it off. The hair that grew back looks like hair, is thicker and looks healthy.
Thu, 02/04/2009 - 20:12
#10
Re: Hair Loss
My family told me I had 'peach fuzz" when mine first grew back..it was fluffy ducky sorta...now, almost 12 months later, its still not back to normal but almost.
Wed, 08/04/2009 - 20:06
#11
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Michellep.
I found the wig library at the hospital where I received my Chemotherapy was fantastic.
I have a daughter who is called the makeup queen, by friends. She is very artistic. I think the best advice she gave me, was. "Mum don't let yourself go because you have no hair. Each morning put yourself first, you've earned it". Decide what your going to wear & colour coordinate your makeup to match your outfit. I went through the winter months with no hair. I purchased hats, makeup, lipstick & eyeshadow that matched my clothes. I had two fringes I borrowed from the wig library. I put one on as fringe & one at the back so it showed out the bottom of my hat. When the weather got a little warmer I purchased a few very soft dark colour long scarfs. The type you would throw around your neck. I sewed them in the middle, about 6 ins down, like a hat, then I would put my fringe on, put the scarf on like a hat & tie it in a big soft bow at the back, it looked so vogue. I wore it out to dinner & two men in the restaurant asked if my daughter & I were sisters. My daughter is 22yrs younger & very attractive. Not a bad complement for a chemo patient. Girls, you can look better than you've ever looked before. Don't let chemo stop you being beautiful.
Merkel
Sat, 03/10/2009 - 15:17
#12
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Michelle,
When I was diagnosed (started treatment and subsequently lost my hair) the hospital had 'wig' people that came to you and fitted you and gave you a wig for free - I'm so suprised they don't have this service here. I was diagnosed and treated in London, but surely Sydney should be getting with the times!! Have you asked your doctor if they know anywhere? It seems a cruel blow to have to pay for a wig that you're hopefully only going to need for the few months it takes for your hair to grow on top of the anxieties of your diagnosis!!
Wed, 07/10/2009 - 23:07
#13
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Everyone
I also attended a Look Good Feel Better Workshop about one and a half years ago.
I guess i was lucky, the ladies at the workshop had us giggling and chatting. I was impressed with the quality of the skincare and make up package that was given to us, and the lady that came later, Ann from Wig Affair in Sydney was wonderful and showed us many different ways of using scarves and wigs.
I am sorry you had a bad experience, Gabrielle, because i can certainly see the value in having a fun morning. I was a beauty therapist/make up artist in a previous life (before kids!) and thorougly enjoyed the workshop. In fact, i am now a volunteer and am up to doing my third workshop soon.
To be fair on the foundation, the kits that are given to each female, are made up of products that are donated by cosmetic companies in australia. There are volunteers that go in to a huge warehouse each month, and pack kits according to the forms that are send in by the hospitals. You are either lucky and get some nice colours that are suited to you, or get some totally inappropriate colours (i got electric blue and purple eyeshadow!).
The point of the morning is, to show how you can create eyebrows, if you wish, have the illusion of eyelashes, if you wish, being taught how to look after your skin, while it is going through changes and basically have a fun time with your peers who might be going through the same problems as you.
The workshop usually starts quiet and ends up with people exchanging phonenumbers and having coffees after.
Like you said, it should be individual, but i think it would be hard finding a woman who doesnt like to be pampered and have fun, whether she is going through chemo or not!
Oh, and there are workshops for men and kids as well.
Luv, Barbe xo
Thu, 16/09/2010 - 19:00
#14
Re: Hair Loss
Yeah, yeah
Fri, 17/09/2010 - 23:18
#15
Re: Hair Loss
Hadn't we lost this spam earlier today?
Persistent aren't they.
Tue, 23/11/2010 - 19:32
#16
Re: Hair Loss
I had a haircut today. Thanks for asking. I like going in and saying "Number two all over".
I got her to trim my Movember 'tache as well.
Tue, 23/11/2010 - 19:50
#17
Re: Hair Loss
ok, after 3 years my cancer came back, in lots of places. i am now on abraxine. i got my hair cut short in readiness for baldness but its just got a bit thin after 3 full cycles. its not thin enough to worry about or wear a wig etc...i really nead not have bothered.
Sat, 27/11/2010 - 19:42
#18
Hair Transplant
Dear all,
PLEASE NOTE: This commercial post has been removed by the Administration Team as it breaches the terms and conditions of usage for the website.
Kind regards
Kate
Cancer Connections Admin Team
Sat, 27/11/2010 - 21:45
#19
Re: Hair Transplant
ANOTHER FLAMING SPAM ATTACK!!
Tue, 30/11/2010 - 16:43
#20
Hair Transplant in india
Dear all,
PLEASE NOTE: This commercial post has been removed by the Administration Team as it breaches the terms and conditions of usage for the website.
Kind regards
Cancer Connections Admin Team
Tue, 30/11/2010 - 17:27
#21
Re: Hair Transplant in india
MORE FLAMING SPAM - they are persistent
Tue, 30/11/2010 - 17:39
#22
Re: Hair Loss
G'day everyone
One of the few advantages of being on Androgen Deprivation Therapy is that you get hair growing where you thought you had lost it permanently. Having been variously on Androcur and Zolodex I can vouch for Androcur as being better in this regard. (I believe it is also used to treat Alopecia - hair loss - in the female of the species!) The hair that does grow back is very fine and flies away from scissors of clippers, but nevertheless it is there (another term is bum fluff!!). However, hair in other parts of the body is also affected. Hair on my arms grows, not thicker but longer. Last time I was on Zolodex I measured some hairs 6 cm in length.
So maybe all these spammers suggesting that we go to India to regain our hair lost through male pattern baldness are wasting their time - we could all go onto Androcur. There are side effects, but I guess it is a choice - hair or testosterone.
Cheers
Sailor
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black. T S Eliot. The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock
Tue, 30/11/2010 - 17:43
#23
Re: Hair Loss
Sailor
I don't wish to know any more. Have you been taking your medication?
H
Tue, 30/11/2010 - 22:10
#24
Re: Hair Loss
Hiya sailor and H
Today i revisited the cc place I stayed at whilst I was undergoing treatment. I had a lot of people looking at me sideways and had to remind them the last time they saw me i was bald! haha
I had a lot of hair growth from my treatment also and my eyelashes were unbelievably long. My arms were like rugs and my legs too, oh and facial hair ... not at all feminine. Luckily it all stopped after a bit and am back to normal hair everywhere.
Julie
Mon, 20/12/2010 - 20:53
#25
Re: Hair Loss
A valid right wing response Sailor!
Mon, 20/12/2010 - 21:56
#26
Re: Hair Loss
It wasn't me.
Mon, 20/12/2010 - 22:00
#27
Re: Hair Loss
Harker, am sure it wasn't you ... i think you would have a little more flair and finesse attached to you spamming. Not that I think you would spam of course. 
Tue, 21/12/2010 - 09:26
#28
Re: Hair Loss
Spam here as well, my goodness surely people are allowed to give advice on where to obtain the best hairpieces.
Would it be permitted for me to tell who I used to get rid of the hair on my free flap or is this spam too,come on guys where the freedom of choice.
Dave
Tue, 21/12/2010 - 09:58
#29
Re: Hair Loss
G'day Oldman
There is a difference. You are here on the site to both give and receive support. So if you want to talk about procedures that have been helpful to you, that is fine. But these people are blatantly on the site to sell services. There is a difference - at least that is my opinion
Sailor
Tue, 21/12/2010 - 19:41
#30
Re: Hair Loss
Ahoy Sailor,
Sorry if I spoke out of place and I do understand that people will try to flog things on different sites,So how do you differentiate between a person helping someone try a different brand of cream,spray or whatever the product is and the computer predator peddling their wares, it seems to me the only solution is just to not bother.
tks for the friendly advice.
Cheers
Dave
Tue, 21/12/2010 - 19:29
#31
Re: Hair Loss
Hey Dave
Theere has been a history of spam on this hair post for quite some time. I used to get very irritated and then good old harker showed us the way with his humour. Most of the sites that we are directed to are actually short term money lending places. My understanding of most of these places is that they are extremely high interest and pressurised return 
... lots of vulnerable people get on this site and not all are computer literate, hence me always commenting if it is a spam.
WHo did you get to remove hair on your free flap?
Julie
Tue, 21/12/2010 - 19:48
#32
Re: Hair Loss
Hiya Julie,
Sorry I thought I was doing the righty,swapping hairpiece shops,brands of cream and sprays I thought would be helping people but if all sites are targetted what is the solution?
The Hair on the free flap fell out during radiation,lol
Cheers
Dave
Tue, 21/12/2010 - 19:52
#33
Re: Hair Loss
Dave
Solution as I see it is that we give the spammers heaps and continue swapping the good stuff amongst ourselves ... as we do 
Julie
Thu, 23/12/2010 - 21:45
#34
Re: Hair Loss
are you a dog or a cricketer? is there a difference? I thought Warnie had the hair replacement market sown up. yours is spam, mine isn't...and I'm happy losing my hair as I go along. I don't give a toss about hair replacement.
Merry Christmas.
H
Wed, 05/01/2011 - 22:23
#35
Re: Hair Loss
Dear all,
PLEASE NOTE: This commercial post has been removed by the Administration Team as it breaches the terms and conditions of usage for the website.
Kind regards
Kate
Cancer Connections Admin Team
Wed, 05/01/2011 - 22:24
#36
Re: Hair Loss
logo design is more spam?
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 21:38
#37
Re: Hair Loss
Dear all,
PLEASE NOTE: This commercial post has been removed by the Administration Team as it breaches the terms and conditions of usage for the website.
Kind regards
Kate
Cancer Connections Admin Team
(sigh...)
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 21:42
#38
Re: Hair Loss
Dear Alex ... is it a prerequisite to writing spam that you need to talk a load of rubbish before you drop your little advertising bit in there?
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 21:58
#39
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Jules
I think there has to be a postgraduate thesis, most likely a PhD, in research into why a blog on hair loss attracts so much spam.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Sailor
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 21:59
#40
Re: Hair Loss
hahaha ... I think it is "because they can" and it is the same person continually doing it. One would think they would get bored ... i think they see it as a challenge to come back time and time again.
ho hum
Sat, 08/01/2011 - 10:05
#41
Re: Hair Loss
I'm peeved because I keep missing the spam and just catch the responses!
You would think that they would get bored though.
S
Fri, 14/01/2011 - 11:47
#42
Re: Hair Loss
I lost every hair on my body during chemo. Did it bother me? NO!! The only part I didnt like was no eyebrows or eyelashes. I loved the freedom of being bald. No more hair spray, shampoo, gel, etc.
I dont like hats, and I tried on wigs at Look Good, Feel Better - they just weren't ME!
Each to their own I suppose, but I, for one, loved being bald!
Fri, 14/01/2011 - 19:25
#43
Re: Hair Loss
Good thing after the rad treatment is I don't have to shave and all the hair on the floor of my mouth has gone,lol, that was the pits.
It was growing that fast i could just about comb it.
Dave
Fri, 14/01/2011 - 22:50
#44
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Dave, I hope you dont mind, but you made me laugh with your comment about the hair on the floor of your mouth. I hope for your sake that the radiation has killed the hair growth for good!
After reading your profile, I guess this was due to the free flap from your wrist. It never ceases to amaze me as to what surgical feats can be accomplished these days.
I hope you are keeping well.
Di
Fri, 14/01/2011 - 23:02
#45
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Di,
feel free to have a laugh as i meant it to be humorous but it was very annoying at the time and kept getting tangled in my food,I also have no teeth so have to gumm everything that is semi solid and that si a challenge..haha
Dave
Sat, 15/01/2011 - 12:00
#46
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Dave,
Sometimes we just have to laugh dont we? Its good if we can also laugh at ourselves! I often make 'jokes' about my cancer/prognosis but unfortunately it upsets my partner and he doesnt see the funny side!
I cant imagine what you have been through, with reconstruction, etc. Have you lost your teeth due to the op, or the radiation? The radiation business, I do understand. Although on different areas to yours, I know the damage it does to the taste buds, skin, etc. My theory on all of these treatments, no matter how bad they are, is: if it works, then all the side effects are worth it!
I hope you are staying well. Have a good day!
Di
ps: thanks for the friend request!
Sat, 15/01/2011 - 13:03
#47
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Di,
My teeth were pulle out before radiation as my Oral doc said I could have problems with them down the track, so here I am gummy bear,lol
I did a lot of listening to the pro's and went with the worst case scenarios then it's easier to cope, also If the pain was bad then i would complain and not be the macho man and endure it, In the H & N some of us have a similiar treatments but different reactions to it and cope in different ways.
hopefully we all have the same attitude....Think Positive....It has happened we can't do anything about it so deal with it as the support is there.
Do you have names for the goats 2??
@Julie, no I am not having a dig at you,lol
Dave
Sat, 15/01/2011 - 13:38
#48
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Dave, one good thing - think of what you save on tooth paste!
I do have names for the goats actually - they are Bobo; Blaze and Ginger (the later two have red heads, hence the names). My partner and I made a deal 3 years ago when we purchased our 10 acres - anything that has a name - IS NOT FOR EATING! Needless to say, I name everything that moves. haha They are all my little babies!!!
Sun, 16/01/2011 - 08:13
#49
Re: Hair Loss
lol Dave ... i even name spiders ... hopeless am I!
@ DI ... I just bought toothpaste the other day ... 12 dollars for 56 g and toothbrushes were nearly 6 dollars each.
Tue, 08/02/2011 - 18:34
#50
Re: Hair Loss
The spammers have gone beserk today!!!
They seem to realy like this post!
Hi Michelle,You should have a look at the Cancer Services directory on the Cancer Councill site. There's lots of Cancer Related services in there including Wig Shops.Here's a link to Wig Shops in Sydney http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/html/patientsfamiliesfriends/cancer_serv...