It's almost like you are losing a part of yourself. A lot of your confidence as a woman is locked into your hair. Many people are used to seeing men without hair and think nothing of it, but as a woman we're expected to have nice long hair. Even slight thinning can cause a woman distress during cancer treatment, but there are ways to cope with losing your hair.
One thing you can do is when your hair starts to thin out, before it comes out in clumps, go to the hair salon and order a wig. Then when it comes in shave your head and wear the wig out. It may sound hard, but it helps. It gives you the feeling of having control over something when everything seems out of control. Take someone from your support with you; they can hold your hand and cry with you as it's happening Having someone there with you makes it a little more easier.
Wigs are a wonderful thing. You can get them in any length, style and color. You can stick with your natural color or go for something completely different. There are many different types of wigs, my article "Don't Flip Your Wig" explains them in more detail. Nowadays wigs are so advanced one would never know you are wearing a wig. They help you gain some confidence back. Just think it would only take a few minutes to get ready because your hair is already done.
Hats are another great thing. Many times you cannot even tell there is hair missing. Newsboy hats generally look great with any face shape. Hats also look good wig some types of wigs. They keep the sun out of your eyes. They are easy to toss on when you are going out to the store or to run errands. Hats help you hide from the fear and the looks some people give.
I have yet to use a scarf but from what I hear they a great things as well. You can match them with anything you are wearing: casual or fancy. They are easy to tie and you can add some accessories to make them look a little more snazzy.
Something else you can do is walk around your home without a wig or anything. Get used to seeing yourself without the hair. It really does help you deal with the loss. Soon you will be able to be around your friends and family without something on your head and soon enough out in public. After five months or so of cancer and having no hair, I finally go out in public without my wig. Part of the accomplishment was realizing I am beautiful without hair. We are all gorgeous even without something on our heads.
Losing your can be one of the hardest things to overcome while dealing with cancer. But there are ways to deal with and help yourself become yourself once more after losing a great part of who you are.
