Wigs and Turbans

• Choose a fragrance-free gentle shampoo to clean your hair.
• Consider not washing your hair every day, and do not scrub vigorously.
• Pat your hair dry to prevent damage.
• Choose a soft hairbrush or wide-toothed comb and gently style your hair.
• Use silk pillowcase
• Use sun protection on your scalp when outdoors, such as sunscreen, a hat, or a scarf.
• Cover your head during the cold months to retain body heat.
• Avoid blow-drying your hair with high heat or pulling it.
• Avoid curling or straightening your hair with chemical products.
• Avoid permanent or semi-permanent hair coloring.
• Choose a soft, comfortable covering for your bed pillow.
• Talk with your health care team before using any hair-growth creams or lotions.
• Talk with your health care team about taking the B vitamin biotin.

Caring for regrown hair

When your hair begins to grow back, it will be much thinner and more easily damaged than your original hair. It may also grow back a different texture or color than your original hair. The following tips may be helpful in caring for regrown hair:

• Limit washing your hair to twice a week.
• Massage your scalp to remove dry skin and flakes.
• Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush for your hair. When styling your hair, limit the amount of pinning, curling, or blow-drying with high heat.
• Avoid curling or straightening your hair with chemical products such as permanent wave solutions until your hair has regrown. Some people may need to wait up to a year before they can chemically curl or straighten their hair. Before trying chemical products again, test a small patch of hair to see how it reacts. You can also ask your hairdresser for suggestions.
• Avoid permanent or semi-permanent hair coloring for at least 3 months after treatment.

•  A Few Good Books ... 
• First and most important is to take a friend with you to your treatments.  A friend offers support , a shoulder and a listening ear. 

A Journal ...  

Ways in which journaling is useful include:

• Stress relief
• To chronicle your journey
• To clarify your thoughts and feelings
• To leave a legacy
• Who knows, you may want to write a book

Your favorite pillow and a blanket...

Dressing in layers can help, but dressing in lightweight and comfortable clothing, and then wrapping up in a soft new blanket brings a touch of home to a place that feels very far from home. Not only does that plush throw provide physical warmth, but it can fill you with a cozy emotional warmth as well. 

 A Good Book 

Skip the cancer books and  take an inspirational book and a good novel. Many of us long for a chance to read a good book, and this is a good time to start. Novels can take you out of your current situation and allow you to be someone else for a short while, someone who is not going through chemotherapy. 

Important Information

Be sure to take all your pertinent information with you. Insurance information, medication list and an emergency contact person in the event you need a ride back home.

Pack enough things in your Chemo Bag to keep you occupied for the duration of your chemo visit.  You might be able to chat with other patients, but sometimes we want to be alone with our own thoughts. 

Most Infusion and chemo centers have snacks and beverages available to you, but pack a few extras in case they do not have anything to your liking.