Just told I am facing chemo soon

You can get one wig for free from the American Cancer Society.  I am told that you will start losing your hair about two weeks into chemo, so wigs and scarfs are not something you need to do immediately. 

If you found a surgeon you are comfortable with, then I would stick with them.  Go with your gut...

Best of luck!!

I decided against cold caps - too much trouble and expense.  I bought two mid priced synthetic wigs that got me through 4 months of chemo.  I had a work wig and a sassy weekend wig.  I got my hair styled to match my wig a week or so before starting chemo.  When my hair started falling out I had my husband shave it off.  I know of women who have parties to mark this event.  Also there are hairdressers who will shave heads for free after hours.  It really wasn't a big deal. 

I teach high school and no one knew when I started wearing my wig except one student who just noticed the color wasn't exactly matched.  He thought I colored my hair.  In fact, I got a few complements from strangers along the way.  The wigs were really easy to care for and not at all uncomfortable.  I even led a beginner's yoga class for my students  wearing the wig.  As an extra benefit, I had an extra 30 minutes every morning while getting ready for work since I didn't have to fuss with my hair.  No shampooing, conditioning, drying or styling.  At home I wore scarves and caps.  I was advised not to buy a human hair wig because of the expense and amount of care needed.  However, they can be styled which is a plus. 

Good luck!  It certainly is a journey!

Hi Love, 

It all goes really fast once they get going doesn't it? In a way a lot of women are really happy about that - it moves you from a place where you are just inactively waiting - to one where you are proactively doing something. I'm going to try to answer a few of your questions.

finding a new surgeon - for Her2+ cancer, it sounds like your surgeon is following the standard protocol. I guess the question to ask yourself is what do you think you could find in a different surgeon that would make you switch? When it comes down to the actual surgery, your plastic surgeon will be (or is likely to be depending on your reconstruction options and whether you have a lumpectomy or MX) more 'important' of a decision. 

cold caps - there's a whole thread on them, know that some oncologists do not want you using them (the basic notion being that if you are making the chemo ineffective in the scalp area, then it's ineffective on any cancer cells that might be in that area as well). If it's something you want to consider take a look at that thread. 

Wigs - I have heard that unless you know a lot about them, you do not want human hair - they are expensive, require a lot of care, and respond to weather in the same way that human hair does (ie. frizzes when it rains). If you find something in your price range, and you like it, go for it and you can do a mix of things. One thing you might want to know ahead - some women cut and save their own hair and attach it to hats or make it into a ponytail that is put through a ball cap. As far as cutting your hair - I had my dad cut it off once it started falling out. You'll know it when it starts to fall out, I wanted to keep it as long as I could. 

Know that chemo really 'hits' everybody differently - you might want to think about 'what if it does hit me really hard' - do I have things set up in a way that's comfortable for me if I am 'chemosick'? 

There is a world of good advice here - look at the left hand side of the screen and look under the forums - that will give you a good idea of what threads have answers to the questions you're asking. & If you ask them on those threads, you'll get responses from people who know a lot about whatever topic it is you are asking about. 

Also - big thing - know that we'll be here for you if you ever need to vent, cry, laugh about something that nobody else would understand,etc. 
((hugs))

I got three synthetic wigs. Everyone loves them. I change up my hair and styles. And most just think I got my hair cut!  Real is super duper expensive too. 

Check out the Look Good Feel Good program through the American Cancer Society.  They have a free make up session where you will be given a make up bags filled with goodies plus you can get a free wig if the program in your area has free wigs. 

I know that the idea of hair loss can be undaunting and overwhelming.  Some opt to shave their heads prior to chemo; while others opt not to do that.  I had waist length hair at the time of diagnosis; a short bob when I had my UMX and a short short boy hair cut after my first round of chemo.  I never shaved or buzzed my head because I wanted to see if all of my hair would really fall out ( kind of like a personal science experiment).  I wore bandanas, wooly caps, baseball caps and hats I bought from Target, Charmin Charlies, Ross, TJMaxx/Marshalls.  Although I received a free wig through the ACS, I never wore it.    I have not had a hair cut since April 2012 and am lucky that my hair has returned evenly.  No matter what you opt to do about your hair or hair coverings, there isn't a right way or a wrong way to handling this situation.  The only the way is what makes you feel the most comfortable.   No matter what, you are still beautiful.

Massage:  My oncologist said it was fine for me to have massages. During treatment, I had them twice a week (1 hour & 1 1/2 hour) during the weeks I had treatment and once a week on the "off" weeks (1 1/2 hour). That was nearly 10 years ago. One cancer clinic in our area even has a massage therapist on staff!

Surgeon: I didn't even consider a second opinion. My surgeon had done a breast biopsy for me 10 years prior to my diagnosis (different area) and I had full confidence in him. (Although I did ask around a bit to be sure he was as good as I thought he was.)

Medical Oncologist: Ditto for no second opinion. He was a personal friend of ours, and I knew about the care & concern he had about patients when he was on call & we were out (dinner, concert) with him & his wife. We both (plus hubby) discussed if we felt comfortable with this change in interpersonal dynamics. Best decision ever.

Hair Loss: I had my hair cut pretty short before chemo. When it started falling out, hubby shaved it off for me. It was still a shock - more so because I never knew I had a pointy cone head! (I had very thick hair - even when it was short you couldn't tell the shape of my head.) After a couple of days, though, "no hair days" didn't bother me. On the other hand, I didn't have to shave my legs or armpits for more than 6 months!

Wigs: I had four, but mostly wore two that became my favorites -- due to how natural they looked. One favorite was from the American Cancer Society, the other from www.tlcdirect.org (great site from the American Cancer society). The two I didn't wear much: one from a Merle Norman salon that also sold wigs (used my prescription for this, most expensive) and the other was from ? - can't remember, but it was one with headband meant for more active sporty pursuits. I found the Merle Norman one didn't look as real to me as my favorites. The sport wig was just plain uncomfortable, plus I ended up not needing anything for sports pursuits. I got a lot of compliments on my hair during that time, mostly from people who had no clue I was wearing wigs. They were all synthetic & very easy to care for. The one from ACS was in my natural hair color (except for the sexy blond streak), but in a totally different style from my own - ever. But it was kind of fun to be a different woman once in awhile! (Freaked my husband a little bit, LOL!) I donated all my wigs & wig forms back to the American Cancer Society when I was done.

Hats & headcovers: At home, I mostly kept my head covered because I was bald in the winter & got chilled easily. I bought several different little caps from www.tlcdirect.org , wearing different ones to match what I was wearing. I bought a couple of fleece caps at the sale table at an LLBean outlet near me, which were great when outside in the cold (but too hot indoors). I picked up a couple of other head covers -- bandanas & such for warmer weather. I donated all my caps & head covers to patients at my treatment facility - they had a section where items like this & books were available for the taking.

Makeup, etc.: I also endorse the ACS "Look Good, Feel Better" program. I didn't end up with makeup I used, but I learned a lot of good techniques before I lost eyebrows & my complexion got really pale. I normally am very heavily freckled -- and my freckles nearly disappeared! I also saw someone there who was about 1/2 way through chemo who didn't wear makeup or wig -- and I knew I didn't want to look like that if I could help it!

Side effects: Many side effects are easily manageable with medication. Be sure to tell your oncology team if you are having ANY problems, including heartburn, mouth sores, constipation, nausea, etc. They can get you the right treatment quickly & you will feel much better. Call them immediately - there is no reason for needless suffering! And of course, if you feel really ill or get a fever, they should know immediately.

Clothes to wear: Comfortable is best when you can do it. I was working part time during chemo & was sometimes dressed for the office. A blouse that unbuttons in the front is better for port access than something like a t-shirt. The nurse might only need to unbutton one or two buttons, so you're not really exposed. During infusion, you might was to wear socks - your feet might get cold. I also liked bringing my own fleece throw - the blankets they had at the clinic were those rough cotton ones that linted all over my clothes. I stretched out in the recliner, covered with my fleece & zonked out for an hour or two (helped by the benedryl they gave along with some of the chemo).

Additional: Talk to your surgeon about placement of a port for chemo infusion. I didn't know about this until my first chemo session, then got it put in a week or two later (outpt surgery). Some women get a PICC line instead, but that's a hassle because you always have to keep it dry (even showering). The port is implanted under the skin (just below collarbone) & feels like a flat bottle cap. Very happy with that decision. Makes receiving chemo much easier & saves the veins. 

Do read all those threads Melrosemelrose directed you to. I wish I had known about this site when I was first faced with my diagnosis, but I didn't discover it until much later!

good luck with chemo.  Many if us got through it with few side effects.  I hope you do too.  I also used cold caps with success.  Feel free to PM me if you have questions or check out my blog.