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rhonda 
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Joined: Aug 04 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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 Topic: Wigs/HairPosted: Aug 09 2012 at 10:24am |
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I posted earlier about my aunt's diagnosis with Triple Negative breast cancer.
The doctors are moving fast and her first chemo treatment will be on Wednesday ( we attend a chemo class this afternoon).
Can anyone offer any advice regarding wigs? She has expressed a desire to have one ( and i would want one too) but having never shopped for wigs is there something we should be looking for or asking about? We really want to get one that doesn't look like a wig and instead mimics her current hair. Is this possible? And because money matters, how much do they usually run?
thank you for any help you can provide.
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turtle
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Joined: Feb 05 2012 Location: Durham, NC Status: Offline Points: 161 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 1:29pm |
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Rhonda,
Since you are in Raleigh, I can recommend Sheer Bliss Salon (in Durham) which has a separate, private room for wig fittings. I purchased mine there, and was reimbursed by my insurance company. The wigs are not human hair, but are very stylish and 'real' looking. Another alternative may be the Cancer Center where she is being treated, if they have a resource center. I received my treatments at Duke's new Cancer Center, and they have this resource. Some of the wigs are free, some are at minimal cost, but they are not as nice as the ones from Sheer Bliss. Hope this helps
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DX IDC TNBC 1/15/12 @ 46; MRI 2.4cm gr3 BRCA2+ 6174delT; LMX 1/31/12 2.5cm, pT2pNO(i)pMX, lymphovascular invasion present; 2/20/12 TAC X 6; 7/2/12 Rad X 25; 9/27/2012 2nd mastectomy & BSO surgery
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 2:06pm |
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Hi Rhonda,
I purchased mine at a store in Greenville, NC 6 years ago. Don't remember the name.
Some food for thought: My hair dresser went with me and helped pick a (not human hair) wig that was the same color as my hair. She cut and styled it as similar to my hair style as possible. People that didn't know, did not know that it was a wig. I got my wig the week I started chemo and 2 weeks later when I needed it, it was ready. I also wore hats, a lot....
God Bless,
Lillie
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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rhonda
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Joined: Aug 04 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 9:58pm |
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Thank you for your responses. Every tip helps!!
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 10:23pm |
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Rhonda,
There was a prior thread that had info on scarves/hats: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/scarfs-hats-with-hair-attached_topic9503.html Regarding wigs.....have your aunt check her insurance benefits for "scalp prosthesis" or "cranial prosthesis". (scalp prosthesis and cranial prosthesis = wig) Insurance policies vary on this benefit. To use one's insurance benefit, one needs the prescription from MD for "scalp prosthesis" or "cranial prosthesis" (Check which term aunt's insurance policy uses.) Also, social worker at Cancer Center may be of assistance for resources if your aunt does not have an insurance wig benefit. With caring and positive thoughts, Grateful for today...........Judy |
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2012 at 10:25pm |
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Somehow I posted the same reply twice. Please see above. Grateful for today....... Judy Edited by Grateful for today - Aug 13 2012 at 10:12pm |
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kirby
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Joined: Oct 09 2007 Location: bay area,california Status: Offline Points: 1088 |
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Posted: Aug 10 2012 at 12:45am |
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ACS gives wigs out...free. If there is an office close to your aunt, have her call. They also hold LookGood, Feel Better classes that show people going thru chemo how to do make up specific to chemo patient needs, and fitting of wigs. At these classes [ I have taught them in the past] a make up kit is given out and trying on of wigs is encouraged as well as taking home a wig.
Sometimes this is a time to choose a fun new style or even haircolor. As a hairdresser, I tried on all sorts of wigs in the styles I thought I wanted. Wouldnt you know....my least favorite , the one I wasnt going to try on...looked the best ! I chose a wig shop that was inexpensive, not wanting to spend money on cancer, thinking of the wigs as temporary. Often wigs do need to be trimmed up a tad, Generally the bangs need to be thinned. I often do this for customers at no charge. Make sure your hairdresser has worked with wigs or is at least familiar. Using a razor works best as scissors leave it looking too blunt. There may be tips in the resource section for what to look for when buying wigs. There certainly are tips on how to apply eyebrows and eyeliner [ for when you have no lashes!]. I know a bunch of things on this order were written up a number of years ago. As well as questions to ask your onc etc.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44 Lumpectomy 2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3 4 rnds AC, 35 rads |
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CAfree12
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Joined: Jul 26 2012 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Posted: Aug 13 2012 at 5:22pm |
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I agree with getting a better wig if she wants to wear it on a daily basis and hopes to "pass" as it not being a wig. Most insurance companies cover it, but you do have to pay full price up front which can be as much as $600 dollars. My wig looked great on me and I actually had people say I should "keep it that way" after chemo!! LOL - anyway - she does need to try them on! She has a few weeks before her hair will actually begin to come out and it depends on which drugs she gets. My friend that had preop chemo did not lose her hair with the Evastin - she didn't lose it until they started the Adriamycin and Cytoxian. Ask the nurses giving her chemo what they see with their patients.
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Diagnosed Oct 2011 @ age 53, Stage 1c, grade 3, 1.5Cm, neg nodes;double mastectomy with TE, dose dense AC+Taxol; BRCA neg; treatments finished April 2012
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rhonda
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Joined: Aug 04 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: Aug 13 2012 at 10:09pm |
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Thank you for your response.
We did find her a wig in a local shop that caters to chemo patients. It looks nice and will certainly help her self-image when she goes out. Her chemo is scheduled as a cocktail of Dovorubicin Hydrochloride (Adriamyclin) and Cycloposphamide(Cytoxan) for four treatments followed by four treatments of Taxol. We were told to expect the hair to fall around two weeks after the first treatment. |
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Aug 14 2012 at 11:09am |
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Hey Rhonda,
I am glad your aunt found a wig that she will be happy with. Your aunt is getting the same chemo cocktail I had. Yep.... the hair will begin to fall between the 14th and 17th day. A lot of us girls had our hair cut ''really'' short or even shaved before, or when, it began to fall out. It's easier (I will not say easy) to lose stubbles of hair vs long strands of hair. Anyhow, she can begin wearing her wig and no one will be the wiser.
Tell your aunt that she had a lot of ladies who totally identify with her. We are here for both of you.
God Bless,
Lillie
Edited by Lillie - Aug 14 2012 at 11:10am |
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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SleepyDean
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Joined: Aug 15 2012 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 5:21pm |
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We just ordered my mom a wig through TLC - the American Cancer Society's page for under $50. I can't attest to the quality since we haven't received it, but we thought it was the best option financially right now. She didn't really even want one, but I think it will come in handy for dr's visits and church. And she just made it through her first AC treatment with very little side effects, so she just may be wanting to go back to work more often (she went in for 5 hours one day last week). She's more concerned about losing her hair than she is her breast.
 But maybe that's just because she's trying not to think of the mastectomy in her future.
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