D.C. Area Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Scarves/wigs options for chemo patient (and where to get)
Turns out my mom needs chemo (surg. probably got everything but this is a precaution).
She wants to go shopping next week for scarves since the doctor said she'll probably lose her hair. Obviously everything from Walmart to Target to Macys to Nordstroms carries them - but any place that would be better than others? Also, is there a place we can go where they'll show her how to style them?
And though she hasn't mentioned wigs, I'd like to know if there's a place around here that specializes in wigs.
Oh - and obviously she's from around here. We'd rather stay in MD but will happily go into DC or VA for the right store.
Re: Scarves/wigs options for chemo patient (and where to get)
when my friend was going thru chemo, another mutual friend, threw a hat party for her. We all brought different hats and scarves (bought wherever) and she tried them all on, modeling each one and took them all home, it was a fun party and a very thoughtful idea of our mutual friend.
Just an idea. Not sure about wigs. Best wishes to your Mom!
There's a place in Wheaton called "Amy of Denmark" - http://www.amyofdenmark.com/
They specialize in this sort of thing - including fitting, styling, submitting insurance claims, etc.
There's also another wig place on Georgia Ave near the beltway (but, from the outside, it looks less "full service")
Good luck to your mom!
AWESOME! Thank you so much.
I found some online tutorials but was really worried that it wouldn't work out IRL.
I am sorry to hear about your mom. If she is going to Johns Hopkins, they have a wig place there. It is on the more expensive side. American Cancer Society's webpage should have other suggestions.
Re: the scraves, I highly recommend getting either 100% cotton or silk. Honestly, I did not wear them often, expect maybe around the house. Normally, I wore one of the many knit caps I got at Johns Hopkins. They were donated by Knots of Love. They had a big basket of them you could choose from. You could contact them as well. Again, make sure they are 100% cotton. Anything else will itch.
Depending on what she likes, I also wore alot of baseball caps (but those had special meaning to me.
She should also look at getting a sleeping cap. You lose a huge percentage of your body heat through your head. If I did not wear the cap at night I would be freezing. They look like oversized knit hats that babys wear.
I recommend getting some pashimas as well. I went through my first round of drug therapy 18 months ago and my body's thermastat has not been right since. I am almost always cold. I keep a pashmina with me to help me stay warm. The chemo place will probably have blankets she can use during the treatment, but it is nice to have something in your purse to use if you are out and about and chilly!
Also, she may want to get some vitamin E cream. My wig lady told me to rub it on my head once I lost my hair to keep my scalp mousiturized.
Lastly, you may want to get some hospital caps - you know the huge ones they put on their heads. When you start losing your hair it comes out in huge chunks. You lose it in the shower, in bed, on the couch, everywhere. Until I was emotionally ready to get my head shaved hair was everywhere (and it is VERY difficult to get off linens, etc.). A nurse gave me some of them to wear to bed and it helped collect the shedding hair).
I wish your mom all the best in her treatment. She is in my prayers!
Thank you so much MrsHab! I was hoping you were around!
Also - any suggestions for stuff I can give her for during the actual chemo treatment? She asked about borrowing an old mp3 player so I'll load that with music. Will def. mention the pashmina thing. She's got tons and likes wearing them anyway (like me she's always cold).
Can they bring in drinks/snacks/etc.? Is it a bad idea?
No problem - it is a dubious honor, but I am happy to help!
She can bring books, or MP3 player. They have magazines and usually a TV going. (as a side note, I save up my magazines and bring them in when I go b/c the normal stash of mags are old and not very interesting). Some people knit (not sure if your mom will get an IV each time or if she will have a port). If she had an IV one hand will be less mobile! I did a lot of sleeping!
You can bring snacks and drinks. Finger type things work the best. I usually brought some nuts, fruit, and a water. Most clinics will have juice and crackers in case you need something, but nothing substantial. Do you know how long each session will be? Mine was about 2 hours, but other folks had much longer sessions. I go once a month now and it is about 30 minutes. That may dictate what she wants to bring with her.
I had my "chemo" bag that I kept stocked with stuff. That way, I just needed to pick it up before I went. It had magazines, books, MP3 player, snacks, etc. It was nice to have everything in one place. I always had a notebook and pen with me. I kept track of my temp and blood pressure and tracked it. When you are going to multiple doctors it is virtually impossible for them to know if your blood pressure is higher or lower then your normal, unless you can show them what your normal is. She may also get copies of her blood work. I kept them as well. It is like a report card to show - hopefully - how well your body is responding. It is nice to see the white and red blood cell counts going up!
She should drink loads of WATER before she goes it. It plumps up your veins and makes it easier for the IV.
If she has to use the b/r, she can get up and wheel her IV with her. Again, I usually wore yoga pants or something like that without a lot of buttons, etc, because of the IV.
I am not sure what drug she is getting, but I was incredibly lucky in that I did not have adverse reacations to my initial drug therapy (I did not get an actual "chemo" drug until the transplant and I was horribly sick for weeks!).
Is someone going with her? My friends and DH rotated in taking me because you never knew how you were going to react to the drugs. You may want to plan on having someone with her at least for the first session. Keep in mind that the drugs accumulate in yours system, so her reactions may be stronger (and herself weaker) as the therapy progresses.
Also, I did not think I would have the emotional reaction I had at my first session. I was in tears. Don't be surprised is she gets emotional.
If you have any more questions, just let me know!