I’ve just been told I’ll need to have chemotherapy, what do I do now?

Being told you have cancer is one whole entire thing on its own. Being told you will have to go through chemotherapy is also another entire huge thing on its own.

Just hearing that word told to you can put you in an immediate trance. Or shock as I recall it. I remember stuttering and shaking my head. “No” I said. “We removed all of the cancer, why do I need chemo?” Well, for me it was a preventative measure for reoccurrence.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had already gone through surgery to remove all the yucky cancerous cells, including having a lot of lymph nodes removed to determine if the cancer had entered the lymphatic system. I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I had recovered. I’m done. Right? Wrong! I was so naïve. I hadn’t even seen an oncologist yet. Everything had been with my primary doctor, general surgeon and plastic surgeon. I was referred to an oncologist who quickly told me I’d need chemotherapy. I did in fact have 3 lymph nodes that were affected so, even though they got good margins during the dissection we should do chemo as a preventative measure against reoccurrence. Ok. I know I’m not alone in saying this. I didn’t even think about any other side effects other than “will I lose my hair?” Yes, I was told I would. The chemo they would give me would take all my hair. I mean all of it. Head to toe! Even my nose hairs?! Did you know you’d lose your nose hairs?! Well, I did not!

I didn’t know what I should do with that information. I was stunned to say the least. Fortunately, I have a family member through marriage that I had remembered had gone through the same thing. I spoke to her, and she told me about Wigs R You. She said they are the place for this type of thing. I heeded her advice and made an appointment.

If you don’t have a personal referral like I did then I highly recommend doing some research on wig shops in your area. Read the reviews, look at their website, notice their mission statement. Where does their passion lie? You want to get a feel for the environment and the people who work there. Do they have a private room, should you want one? Decide what is important to you and look for that in a shop. I recommend making sure they do not work on a commission basis so that you know you will get the genuine care that you deserve.

Once you have found your place, make an appointment so you will be seen by your own personal consultant. It’s important for you to have personal one on one care with a professional. She should guide you through the process and set you at ease. She should educate you on the differences between the types of wigs you will try on. It’s also a bonus if the salon has a professional who can customize the wig for you. They almost always need something done to them, like thinning, trimming bangs, some layers etc.

I hope after you put on your first wig and stare at yourself in the mirror for a minute that you quickly realize that this doesn’t have to be the hardest part of your journey. Maybe you can have some fun with it and have the hair you’ve always dreamed of having!

Xoxo Jenn