Wig shopping in Horsham, PA area

do you have health insurance?  If you do check and see if a wig is covered. (My insurance didnt cover but many do).  There is a technical term, it's not called "wig", but the name escapes me. 

Reach out to the American cancer society Look Good Feel Better program.  They run classes about doing makeup (and give very nice samples!) and they also give free wigs (at most of their sites, or give a coupon for their wig banks).

I had gone to a wig store, tried on wigs (prior to hair loss) and was miserable..I felt none of them was "me". But, I did learn A LOT.  So you might want to try that route.  My brain doesn't recall details (never did so I'm not blaming chemo) but ifi recall a monofilament wig is good, hand tied even better and of course a natural hair wig is top of the line but VERY costly.  Also good to go to a wig store to figure out the size of your head a the wigs do come in sizes....and naturally my BIG head has little in the way of brains! Lol

Here is a link for a free head covering.  http://www.goodwishesscarves.org/

I wound up not wearing any of the wigs I got....except for a cute pink/white one for a family party and out to dinner with the girls.  I enjoyed wearing my buffs.  I had a number of different ones that seemed to color coordinate with my wardrobe (and I am not a coordinated type) http://www.buffusa.com/sports/

Wishing you all the best.

Pat

oops forgot!  I am awaiting my free scarf from good wishes and am going to that Look Good Feel Better program next week right at Fox Chase Cancer Center. The shop in Media is called Lovely You I believe.  

good luck to you. I will try to help however i can. Momat (Amy )

Susan , I am on Cytoxan and Taxotere. I cut my hair very short a week before starting.  My friend came with me and I cried but then actually liked it!  Clumps started coming out about day 13 or 14 after my first chemo. I went to my hairdresser and she shaved me so I wouldn't have to deal with clumps. At first I was devastated, but now I don't care. All part of trying to fight cancer.  I wear scarves most of the time & the wig for special outings.  I actually get compliments on my scarf which I think is a riot. Hang in there Susan.  We can continue talking.  It can be scary, but somehow doable. Are you going to any local  supports  like  Gildas Club?  I am considering something but hard to get myself anywhere lately.  I went to a free Look Good Feel Better makeup session.  It was fun. There were women there were women there ranging from 27 to 70 's.   We were given free makeup- some decent.   Talk soon, Amy

Susan - ACT is pretty rough on hair.  You will probably notice shedding around day 14.  It might be heavy.  I cut my hair to sort of match my wig a week or so before my first tx.  I had my husband shave my head the weekend after my second tx so that I could start wearing my wig to work on that Monday. I had a hairdresser offer to shave my head after hours for privacy but my husband felt he could do it.  Take pictures before you cut or shave.  Some people take weekly pics to document the growth of hair once finished chemo.

I'm from Media also!  I bought two wigs from Lovely You as well as a number of scarves and a nightcap.  I had a work wig and a sassy weekend wig. I found the owner to be very understanding and helpful!  She was fitting a client on my first visit.  The women who was trying on wigs noticed my lost look and invited me into the fitting area to see how she looked wearing her choices.  That really calmed me down and I was ready to shop.  My daughter (20yr) was very helpful.  We actually had some fun trying on different looks.

You might want to ask your MO for a prescription for a cranial prosthesis (wig).  You insurance co might cover the cost.  Also ACS offers free wigs.  I have a large head so none of the free wigs fit me.  Some people go online to buy wigs.  The TLC catalog has very nice synthetic wigs too.

Some people try to keep their hair by using cold caps.  However, I was not interested in going that route.  It is expensive and very time consuming.  You need to have someone (preferably two) with you to time and change the caps.  You have to buy and schlep dry ice to each infusion.  My tx time was used to rest and read.  The results are not guaranteed and you have to baby your hair for months afterwards.  Even with this care some loose all or a good portion of their hair.  I found my wig to be very convincing!  No one knew I was undergoing treatment unless I told them.  The wig is easy to care for and always looked fresh and clean.  I didn't have to fuss with my hair in the morning and actually slept a little latter since it was one less thing to do before going to work.  I teach high school, including a low skill yoga class.  My wig held up throughout tx and I got so many compliments on my 'hair style' I'm trying to grow my new hair to that length now. 

Good luck!  If you need any more info about ACT and/or wigs just drop me a line.  I am being treated at HUP and am two years out.

I too am from your area - warrington.  I researched a lot & went to wig elegance in langhorne.  Very happy - paid about $400 for a nice synthetic wig.  It was written in my insurance policy that "cranium prosthesis" are not covered, however the owner of the store told me that once I receive my denial to appeal it.   She sees people that have a denial overturned about 50% of the time.   I did - it took about 6 mos but they covered the wig 100%!  

Also, I know many people shave their heads right away, I didn't and was very happy that I did not.  I started chemo on nov 2nd and for about 2 mos was able to wear a hat that looked nice because I had hair sticking out from under it - it was definitely thinning, but it still looked ok under a hat.  I would say it wasn't until mid-jan that it was almost all gone & I did shave it then.  I started my 2nd chemo - FEC 1/31 & by the 2nd 3 week cycle (to my surprise) the hair began to grow!  It continued growing during the 3rd & 4th chemo round.  So, I wasn't totally bald for really that long.