How to handle the hair loss

KGB1985

I know in the grand scheme of things, the hair loss should be pretty far down on the list of things to worry about.  However for my wife, and I'm sure most women, the hair loss part of chemo is devastating. 

My mother, sister in law and my wife's mother all went the salon last weekend and got it cut real short.  They had champagne and tried to make it fun.  We hear it's less traumatic when short hair is falling out vs long hair.

She cut off over ten inches and donated to "Locks of Love".

Anyone have ideas, thoughts or just general ways to handle a loved one losing their hair?  Or expereince in this situation?

Thanks in advance.

WinningSoFar

There are cold caps (search cold caps) that seem to work somewhat.

Other than that, get a wig now, don't wait.  One day her hair will just fall out into her hand and that will be it.  I have a number of wigs and skullcaps and headbands and Buffs, and it's not so bad.  Wigs are pretty nice and you don't have to pay very much online.  I like Raquel Welch, but there are lots of good brands.  Actually, I've come to look forward to adding to my wig inventory.  They really look better than my hair.  The bad part of wigs is that they can be hot.  

I wish you the best and let us know how it's going. 

mdg

I was also going to suggest cold caps.  I used them and I am happy about that decision.  Really helped with my mental approach to getting through everything. 

pawtampa

KGB1985, just want to say that I also used Penguin cold caps with decent success and my husband's support and encouragement through this long ordeal has meant  the world to me. I bet you are that kind of guy too, hair or no hair. There is a lot of info about cold caps on this site if you want to do some research and I also recommend mdg's blog as well. She has some very helpful, practical tips to get you through the process and I found it invaluable. I wish your wife and you all the very best.

tangandchris

The hairloss was very difficult for me, I took it harder than I expected to. It was quite shocking and anxiety inducing to wash my hair and see it coming out, so I think the haircut was a good idea.

I didn't do the cold cap thing for the wig thing, to hot for me. It just took me time to get used to it and accept it. Once I got deep into the throws of chemo it became less and less of a problem for me...the hair that is.

We5hills

KGB1985, I begin chemo next week. So, today I'm doing the same thing your wife did. I'm getting it cut short and donating to "Lock of Love." Seems like a waste to just let it fall out, when it can go to help someone else. The thought never crossed my mind but my mom made the suggestion. Glad she did. 

susan_02143

I found the hairless to be a non-event. Who knows why.... perhaps it helps that my head shape turns out to be nice, and my hair was always one of my frustrations in life. It is up to each of us to find the emotional place that allows us to feel comfortable with our own head covering choices. I also donated my hair [and have done this twice since] which helped make this have some purpose.

*susan*

KGB1985

Yeah, my wife made it a process.  She had long hair and the first step was to cut it short, then she went real short with a pixie cut and then straight up shaved it.  I feel it was easier on her than having big ol' chunks fall out.  Once it did start falling out, they were millimeter sized hairs and there wasn't much too it other than just seeing them on the pillow. Once it was gone, she accepted it and rocked her bald head.  In the grand scheme of things, she realized it shouldn't be that big of a deal (after it was gone).  I wish you the best!  Let me know if you have any questions.

SpecialK

For anyone with long hair that is interested I used this company to make a hairpiece for me out of my own hair that was cut off.  I could not donate my hair to locks of love because my hair was highlighted blonde (with bleach), so unacceptable for their processing.  I had an "underhair" made that I could wear with a fedora or ball cap and it was not itchy and hot like my wig, which I wore when wearing a hat was not appropriate.  It had a fabric top and the hair was attached above the ear level, Florida is hot and sticky and this was a much more comfortable option.  If your hair is not long enough they also stock human and synthetic hair to make one with.  Also, remember that many insurance companies cover a wig or hairpiece if you get a prescription from your oncologist for a "cranial prosthesis" and submit it to your insurance company with the receipt and a claim form.

http://www.hatswithhair.com/Wig-Made-With-My-Own-Hair-1.aspx

DivineMrsM

Hair, hair, hair! I don't think it is on the bottom of the list of things to be concerned about! In the chemo section of this forum, there is a thread called just that: Hair Hair Hair. It was started in 2008 and has been on-going since then and is currently up to 698 pages! The wonderful thing about the thread is you can jump in any time, no, you don't have to read all those previous posts! Anyway, it has to be perhaps the longest running thread on these boards. That should give you an indication how important hair is to many and most women facing the loss of their locks.

Here is the link: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/707348?page=698

I also suggest that your wife, when hair starts to grow back, take a monthly photo of the hair progress. I remember thinking my hair was simply not growing even tho my husband insisted that it was getting thicker. Then after Christmas, the year when I had chemo, I uploaded a bunch of photos from my camera onto my computer and there were photos taken from the past several months, summer vacation, Thanksgiving, New Years. Sure enough, I could easily see with the pictures that my hair WAS actually growing. At that point, I took a photo every month and put together a collage after one year. Hmm...let me see if I have a picture of it....

Best wishes to your wife and you as you navigate the waters!

ruthbru

If she thinks she wants a wig, she should get it ordered now. I went to a salon that specialized in hair loss due to chemo, aelophesia etc. I was able to get a wonderful, cute wig that I could even sleep and go swimming in (yes, it was expensive). They helped me match my original color, style etc. so nobody even knew it was a wig. They also had caps with bangs, turbans & other head covers. Another good thing to check out is a 'Look Good, Feel Better' session. They are sponsored by the American Cancer Society and they show you how to wear wigs, scarves etc. to your best advantage & also give you makeup tips (and free, high quality makeup too). Your oncology center should have information on that program.