Getting to Know Wiggie Wig

Catch Up

Well time flies and I have had second chemo on Friday 30th September and no real new scary experiences to relate although I had "forgotten" that I don't feel great all the time so was reminded.

 Felt rubbish on the Sunday and wobbly until Saturday - a day or so longer than after the first treatment. I also needed 3 days of additional anti sickness pills that I didn't need after first chemo but the pills worked so just took as needed.

So looking back into the third week of the first chemo cycle and feeling really well and Indian summer arriving.

The Monday of the third week of the cycle is the appointment with the consultant. So arrive at Derriford a little nervous with Don in toe as concerned about the scan results.

Straight into see registrar who I've not seen before and a general chat on side effects(or positive lack of) since the chemo and just generally how I've been feeling. She confirms that we will continue onto second chemo on Friday and advises that an appointment will be set up with the surgeon after the third cycle as a decision will then be made whether to continue with a further three chemo cycles or whether to move straight to op. Having only had one chemo I can feel/see a difference so in my mind it seems to be having a significant effect. Registrar advises that chemo can have a drastic effect on the lump but I hear the surgeon and chemo consultant warning in my ear that whilst the objective of the chemo is to shrink the lump they still think it will be a mastectomy not a lumpectomy. I am still in chemo mode and as know what is involved happily dealing with it. On change to op mode I will I am sure move back into that wanting to run away mode as frankly never had and don't want an operation.

Nothing forthcoming on scan results.. what I was concerned about so ask. She chases through and confirms bone scan in and is clear - phew. Other scans will take time for results- hay ho.

Working as normal and discovered I can stick hair to my head by keeping up in a ponytail although hair is felting up so realise I am going to need to take action soon.- see later.

Drop into Derriford for blood test on Wednesday on way to work- managed it on a free 45 minute parking ticket too. Then decide to have a fun pre chemo day on Thursday and enjoy the glorious weather.

So Don and I put bikes in car and cycle the camel trail from Wadebridge to Padstow - 10 miles return have lovely lunch and pint in Padstow and walk out to the beach. A lovely day and as you can tell feeling great.

So Friday and chemo appointment at Derriford at 9.30am so leave at 8.30 to get there in time. Don comes this time - George my sister was there for the first but it is something I am happy to have on my own as just takes time and doesn't hurt.

At Derriford they give you the first chemo in a room on your own and I had asked on Monday if any chance of second chemo in a "private" room but they have 5 newbies so have chemo in communal room but not too bad.

My Chemo Treatment and how I get it: The Medical bit..

I am receiving the TAC Chemo treatment which bizarrely is given as ACT as below. From memory Nottingham uni came up with protocols that define the recommended chemo programme which is defined by the type of tumour cells they establish by the biopsies and the size and grade of the growth. The amount of chemo is defined by your square meterage which they determine by measuring your height and taking your weight. Obviously this is my layman's understanding picked up as I have gone along so may not be a) complete or b) fully accurate.

So receiving the chemo treatment starts with a cannula being attached to left hand and over the next 2 hours the following liquids are introduced

Strong anti sickness stuff dripped in then:

Saline solution dripped in along with the A and C drugs of the chemo TAC treatment

1. Doxorubicin(previously known as Adriamycian)= A. This is a given by way of 2 large syringes into the cannula tube by a chatty chemo nurse. The fluid is red and causes a shocking red initial pee! Takes 20 mins approx.

2. Cyclophosphamide = C- a colourless liquid again 2 large syringes as in 1. above introduced by nursie again takes 20 mins approx.

3. Taxotere = T-given by way of a drip via the cannula and takes approximately 1 hour. This is one of the 2 of the 3 that guarantees hair loss.

In between do have temperature and blood pressure tests by chemo nursie and treatment ends with rest of saline solution.

After 2 hours that's it all done. All liquid onboard and don't feel anything just have sympathy bandage on left hand from where cannula removed which can be taken off after 20 minutes but gets sympathy if left on for longer. Its one of those things that could be covered with a small plaster but whole hand and wrist bandaged.

Effect of chemo don't seem to be felt until approx 2 days later and some of the effects may come from the subcutaneous injection day after chemo(means they inject into the fatty bit of your tummy - obviously difficult to find on a washboard stomach like mine!) This injection from memory encourages the production of blood cells in the bone marrow as the TAC system can reduce the number of white blood cells produced in the bone marrow so you are vulnerable to infection particularly in days 10-14 after treatment which is why it is important to stay away from communal gatherings and ill bods in that time. An infection could mean a hospital stay to treat so don't be insulted if I shake hands rather that the usual kiss hello- its not personal my immune system is currently unreliable.

Moving on and let me introduce you to Wiggie Wig & my lack of hair

At time of writing I am bald as a coot and have introduced Wiggie Wig to the South West.

How this happened:

• Exactly 2 weeks as advised on Friday 23rd Sept my hair was noticeable easily removed.
• I counteracted this by keeping hair in pig tails although noticed I replaced doodling while on the phone with pulling out my hair!
• It felt quite pleasant to pull out although I limited any drastic removal to avoid obvious bald spots. Obviously this was personal taste otherwise known as vanity!
• Did you know that the NHS give you a £100 voucher towards a wig - no well the only downside is to benefit you need to be having chemo.
• Fix appointment with Browns the wig people at Mustard Tree on Thursday 22nd Sept. Head really wasn't in it because a) not losing hair then and b)the wigs they showed didn't make me happy. Decide to fix an appointment at their salon the next day as recognise might need a wig by that weekend.
• Chat with John my hairdresser - he is happy to trim and style wig and recommends going for a longer one so it can be cut to a couple of styles and lengths
• On Friday at salon try on a few and opt for Becs a mid length choppy number darker than my original hair with flickie bits and highlights - nothing too drastic. This is Wiggie Wig a man made wig that lasts up to 6 months. I will let you know more about Wiggie Wig anon.
• I am holding out for third chemo as if chemo stops after 3 treatments then hair will start to grow back a few weeks later If I am to continue on with a further 3 treatments then I will then treat myself to a real hair wig. Wiggie Wig only has a life of 6 months whereas a real hair wig will last a few years if looked after.
• Wiggie Wig is very easy just "shake and add"- stays in style. I have added slide to fringe as not used to so much hair at fringe level.
• A real hair wig needs treating like hair ie washing and styling so not as easy but in my mind is much nicer.
• Thought about taking shots of Wiggie Wig at different venues - her first visit was to Tesco - nobody pointed or laughed but I bottled it as was going to pop her on a Tesco post and take a picture.
• I will add a piccie of with and without Wiggie Wig so you can judge.
• Surprising pleased with bald head - quite small and smooth when could have been weird shape or lumpy.

So how I became bald- I blame the drugs.

It was obvious that I needed to do something with the felt mat previously known as my hair on the Monday 3rd Oct after my second chemo. The sun was still shining so I sat outside and cut/ pulled off my hair to achieve that tufty look I was trying to avoid. From then a gentle tugging removed much more - but still tufted.

Then a very pleasant way to enjoy the sunshine Don wet shaved my head while  I sat outside.

That was it I was now a baldie (but it will grow back after chemo ends).

Added extra eye makeup and lippie and didn't think the bald me was too bad.

So the positives:

1. Saving on shampoo and conditioner

2. Opportunity to tan head - it is very white - did add a little fake tan to tone down

3. "Shake and add" Wiggie Wig saves approx 1/2 hour as no need to wash and dry.

4. Wiggie Wig if worn correctly hides bald head from Joe public.

5. Wiggie Wig stays on up to a force 5 - I haven't tested in stronger winds yet! Will report anon.

A word of warning though it is true that the sun ages your skin. I have a few lines on my forehead but my head is as smooth as anything. Also; I need to check Wiggie Wig before going out as it is possible to wear at a weird jaunty angle that frankly looks stupid. I am sure that in such instances more people look at me so I am saying hello to more people than normal!

To those of you who see me out in such circumstances - please do take me to one side and let me know.

Also to those of you shocked if I whip off Wiggie Wig to share the baldie - sorry if it shocks you but I am quite enjoying the reaction.

Well its the Monday of the second week after chemo 10th Oct and feeling back to nearly normal- although bald. I get a week and a half  of normality before moving into 3rd chemo which will be a day earlier as I can have at Liskeard hospital which is only 10 minutes rather than an hour away. Also Don now trained to do subcutaneous injection ( I can take any number of injections and cannula's by not looking - can't do myself as likely to pass out!)the day after chemo so don't have to hang around for district nurse So efficiencies kicking in.

After third chemo then have to have another MRI to measure chemo impact and see surgeon to determine whether stop then and move to op or continue for 3 more cycles. Once I know that can plan if getting friends for Wiggie Wig or not needed.

Last but not least..Aim for 100 followers

On a final note in case you don't realise it I am a competitive bod. I know several of you are following this blog but haven't registered as followers. My aim is to get to 100 followers - well a girl has to have a plan. So please do register and please do share with with others to help me achieve this.

Thanks until next time...when I think my title will be "Social interaction from Tumourtown and the people of Wellville" which I have blatantly stolen from an article by Christopher Hitchens in an article in December 2010 Vanity Fair I read while waiting for my MRI.