Wigs

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
1
Hi ladies,
Im wondering where everyone got thier wigs.Did you got to a salon, or order online?Also, did you stay with a style,color,etc similiar to what you have?Were you able to style yours , or did you have it set?Sorry, for all the???I start chemo next weds., and want to get my wig/wigs now as I know this will be traumatic for me.
Michelle
2
Hi:
 
The wig I got looked very real, even though it wasn't real hair.  This was one thing that wasn't that traumatic for me because my Mom threw money at it.  We went to the Star's wigmaker.  I was very taken care of there.  It was a salon for wigs.  It's called Bitz-n-pieces in NYC.  If you're well-off financially, I recommend it highly.  Your insurance should cover it if you have your doc write a script for a scalp prosthetic 

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

Ellen

3
Hi Michelle-
Yes, it is traumatic. I went to a place in Pontiac and hated it, and when the lady said "Oh, you are going to do chemo? Don't worry, it'll grow back." I knew it was not the place for me. That told me she really did not understand the emotions of what we experience. I went to a wonderful place in South Lyon but I forgot the name. It was Vanity Room wigs or something....they have private rooms and the ladies are so kind...this is all they do, is fit wigs and mostly for people dealing with chemo. They also are specialists in post-mastectomy fittings. The wigs there were priced well, and were synthetic hair. I tried to match my curly hair, and ended up like Barbra Mandrell or some country star. I hated it. I went to another person to have the wig fixed, after my regular girl cut it. We had to remove some stitching to make it smaller and not so overpowering for my small face. I still hated it, and we ended up getting a new one at Roxy's in West Bloomfield. The wig was half real, half synthetic, but much more expensive.

What I ended up with was a beautiful color and different than my hair, sort of a Jane Fonda wispy look. I have heard that Susan's Specialty Needs in Ferndale is really good. I would not order one online, because you will want to try it on, feel it, see it, etc. You can also talk to the American Cancer Society, and ask for referrals to a wig bank if you need one for free or low cost.

My opinion is that if you are going to wear the wig, and not so much hats or scarves, you have to get a wig that you like and feel comfortable in.

Hang in there!
Lori

4
The best place I found for wigs was www.beautytrends.com.  I had two wigs from their - even my onc thought it was my hair!
 

Teresa King

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

(NIV)

5
I got a wig, but I HATED it. Preferred to wear hats or go bald. Losing my hair wasn't as traumatic as I thought it was going to be...but losing my eyelashes...that's another story! Tried false eyelashes, too, but that didn't last long. Just wore a bit of eyeliner and was more comfortable with that.

Please know that for me, the idea of losing my hair was awful...worse than losing a breast, I think...the actual loss of my hair was somewhat anticlimatic!

So...good luck in your search for a wig, but buy a cute little hat or two as well!!!

Love and hugs...
BEV
6

Hi Michelle! Very smart to have your wig ready when you need it. I went to my beautician. They had a specialist that did nothing but wigs. He did a great job for me and no one knew that it wasn't my hair. There were times that it drove me nuts and I just wore a ballcap. The American Cancer Society, your local office, has wigs that they give away. Also, most major hospitals that treat cancer patients will have wigs to give away also. My insurance paid for my wig but I had to use the words "carnial prothesis" instead of wig. :rolleyes: Losing your hair is tramaticm whether it is the first or third time. But, you have control in this area. You will be the one to decide when you have your hair cut or buzzed. Hang in there. WE have all experienced it and will be here to give you lots of hugs, love and support as you go thru this.

Deb

 

7
Deb, you are right! For me, control was key. I had the wig ready and buzzed my hair before it started to fall out. Partly because I needed to do it on the weekend, and also the thought of seeing my hair fall out was too much. It was one of my lowest points to shave my hair...I had my friend who cuts it to cut it shorter and shorter, then buzz away. I cried and cried, and cried when I got home. Partly because I looked rediculous in my wig. But then, it was over. I wore the wig to work and no one saw me bald (I lived alone), and once the hair started to fall out, I could not wait...I was already detached from it, it was just stubble by then anyway. So I never lost my hair, I took it off. Not easy, but for me, it helped me stay in control. That was the whole thing for me, I needed to be the one in charge, not cancer. I was a person being treated for cancer, not a cancer patient and not a cancer victim.

Michelle, we'll be here for you!
L&H,
Lori

8

Lori: I basically did the same thing that you did. I can't stand pets that shed so, when my hair started falling out, I had it cut shorter and shorter. Finally one day I told my sil to buzz it. (she is a beautician) I didn't wear my wig but put a baseball hat on. My dd and granddaughters lived w/ me. When my eldest gd came home (she was 6) I asked her what she thought. She looked at me, rubbed her hand over the stubble on my head and said, "well, it's not bad Nana, but wear your hat when my friends come". We all still laugh about it. As for the wig and the prothesis. I hated them both! So, as soon as I would get in the car from dinner or a meeting, etc., the wig would come off. Then the bra w/ the prothesis. Both would be pitched in the back seat. Talk about FREEDOM! rofl My bf told me that if we ever had a wreck, that the 2 of us would prob die because the authorities would be looking for a 3rd person when they saw the wig and "boob" in the back. Ahhhh, to have good friends that care!

Michelle, take control and have fun!

Hugs...Deb

 

9
I have lost my hair twice. Both times I went to a local salon that has a room in back for privacy. There I was able to try on wigs. I found that the ones that resembled my own hair looked horrible on me. I went for a little lighter color with highlights. This way you didnt have that flat all around color. I also ordered one from Paula Young.com. I had to order a petite (it helped going to the wig shop, there she told me I had a small head) When the wig came, it had too much hair. I brought it to my stylist and she trimmed it up and it looked great. Average price for the Paula Young wigs are $30. I got that one so that I could alternate and clean them. Good luck.


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VICKY

10
My husband has always wanted me to be a blonde, so I got a blonde wig.  It's real hair and looks really cute.  I had my hair stylist trim a little on top.  I went to a local wig store here is So. Calif.  I didn't feel comfortable buying online, because you want to see what it looks like on before you buy.  I tried several that looked cute on the heads, but on me looked bad.  The difference between synthetic and real is the synthetic style is permanent.  The real hair you have to wash and style, but I think looks better and more natural.  Several people thought mine was my own hair. 
 
I hated the hair falling out and finally just cut it really short.  Then when it got too thin, I shaved it and started wearing the wig.  That was mid-January.  Now my hair is growing back (about 1/2 inch) and I will hopefully be out of the wig soon.  I can't wait.  With the weather getting warmer, it's uncomfortable. 
 
Only one more chemo to go!!! YEAH!!!
 
L & H,

Kathy

11
Thanks ladies,
I decided to make an appt. with Susans specialty needs in Ferndale. The lady is also a nurse, and 12 yr. breast cancer survivor.She seemed exceptionally helpful on the phone, and I will be seeing her on Monday.Im also going to order an extra online(so I can have one long, and one short.)My husband is trying to pick out the sexy wigs.I keep haveing to remind him Im going through chemo, not evolving into a sex kitten.
Thanks,
Michelle
12
LOL Michelle, I like your sense of humor. I'm sure the lady who is a breast cancer survivor will have great advice to give you about wigs and other things. You were smart to find her. Sex kitten is a little hard to portray going through breast cancer, but you can pretend. LOL Hugs, MK


13
Paula Young has some very nice, inexpensive wigs. Go to: www.paulayoung.com Best to you.

Breast cancer has become an epidemic. After all of the these years and billions of dollars donated for research...WHERE IS THE CURE???
http://www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org

14

Sex kitten?!?!?!?!  I'm having my last reconstructive surgery next month.  My husband (and half the men we are friends with HA HA) was hoping that I'd go for the Pamela Anderson chest!!!!  I put my foot down there!!!  Cancer wasn't very much fun but I am looking forward to the perky, new chest next month!!!!  I guess when life gives you lemons, sometimes you really can make lemonade!!! HA HA

Good luck with the wig and the rest of the treatment!!! 

 

Teresa King

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

(NIV)