Debby ; 'the hair lady'

following a 'tip' from Mandy, another strong, strong lady that has battled Breast cancer , I booked in a last minute appointment on 9th January with Debby 'the hair lady' from Northampton General Hospital.

I would say that whilst the consultants and breast care nurses have looked after well, it has been the advice and tips from my 'booby friend's', Booby Jo, Claire and Mandy, that has helped me navigate through the practicalities of this new world. I'm pleased to say that I have already passed on some of my own tips to someone else...... You just can't beat having someone that has been, or going through breast cancer as a source of support...They just 'get it'!

In this instance Mandy's tip off meant that I was able to meet with Debby in advance of my chemotherapy and chose a couple of wigs that will arrive before I loose my hair.

So.... after appraising my hair, it was acknowledged officially that I had a 'mop' of hair, and that this will be of benefit in terms of re growth. Debby took me through the option of having the cold cap, which seeks to limit/prevent total hair loss. Debby was positive about the option and it involves wearing a cap on your head during the chemotherapy treatment, which freezes the area, preventing the chemo from damaging the cells.

It also comes with a lot of discomfort and no guarantees of success. I had already researched this option and had decided against it and the conversation with Debby confirmed that this was NOT the right decision for me. Of course I would wish to keep my hair if I could and I'm sure that you may be thinking why not give it a go?... I'm not against the option, just that it's not for me, It carries a lot of uncertainties (it may or may not work,I may loose patches, it will thin, changes in hair care). I had also read that any rogue cancer cell lurking in the area may not be destroyed. So .....I'm much more comfortable dealing with the certainties without the cap.... that my hair will fall out , it will grow back and the cancers cells will be destroyed!!

So with that out of the way .......Debby gave me a few wigs to try on.... she just seemed to know which one would suit ...I chose 2... They seem excellent quality wigs and Debby explained that I would receive one as part of my treatment and that any others would pay cost price!!! The wig costs approx. £350 and cost price is £75.....and I feel pretty lucky as Steve said he is treating me to the extra wig! LYS xx

Debby, Me and my Julia Roberts Wig (from pretty woman)!

Ironically, after the appointment, I met my cousins, who treated to lunch and AnneMarie had exactly the same hair style as the wig I had chosen!!

I felt quite pleased with my wig choices, and motivated by the whole experience with Debby...It was only after I scrolled through the photos on my phone of the wigs I had tried on, that I had my first private wobble of 2014.....I was swept with a huge sense of dread for next week. Not because I was loosing my hair and I cant really explain why really, but ever since the wobble, I have had that 'sickly nervous' feeling that I last recognise from the run up to my last job interview!!

You'll be pleased to know that I have found plenty of 'pointless' things to distract myself with, and Steve promptly found the humour for me in announcing 'Wiggy' as my new nickname!