Comment by Amy on March 16, 2012 at 7:16pm

I know when I finally went and bought my first wig I felt like I looked so much better than I looked with my thin hair. It made me look a lot younger! It was really hard to wear it at first. It didn't feel right to have a foreign object on my head. Now it is just apart of me. Good luck! I hope you find one that makes you feel good!

Comment by Tracey on March 16, 2012 at 7:26pm

THANK YOU for the encouragement, Amy-- I just hit that point today where I feel so ugly because of how thin and flattened my hair is on top-- keep thinking of that Seinfeld episode when everyone's hair looked weird because of the low-flow shower head! It's a hard step to take, but I think I'll feel better like you say.

Comment by Amy on March 16, 2012 at 7:37pm

That is funny! It is a hard step but you know when it is time. I took a picture of myself at the wig shop with the wig and without it. When I looked at the pictures it was a no brainer! I needed a wig. It took another month or so before I finally shaved my hair off.

Comment by Tracey on March 16, 2012 at 7:43pm

Oh, jeez. I'm nowhere near ready to shave! I'm really hoping there are some decent options for me without going there yet. What hair I have left still falls below my shoulders like my pic, and I've never had short hair.

Comment by Tallgirl on March 17, 2012 at 11:19am

Can't wait to hear the results of your appointment! Do tell all!

Comment by Kathryn on March 19, 2012 at 1:17am

Hi, Tracy,
How did the wig consult go? I just came across your page... I too live in Seattle. I started loosing my hair about a year ago and understand the agony you are most likely going through. I'm curious where you went for a consult. I have a wig from William Collier hair design in Belltown, and I am very happy with it. They are definitely more expensive, but they really saved me because synthetic wigs were just not working for me. I was looking into the freedom wigs, but glad I didn't go that direction.

When is your travel to Europe? I remember last year having several smaller trips planned and feeling so anxious because I had no idea what to expect with my hair loss. If I may, I would suggest arming yourself with a variety of hats that would work for travel. I bought a wig out of panic before a trip to NYC, packed it, but never wore it. The wig just wasn't right for me and I didn't even understand how to wear it. It was a waste of money.

Please feel free to pm me if there's anything I can do for you.

Kathryn

Comment by Alliegator on March 19, 2012 at 10:36am

That is a big step so you go girl!! I was going to say good luck, but you may have already gone. So, how did it go? I know what you mean about worrying about a bald patch showing. Every time I walked outside if the wind blew, I thought to myself is my bald spot showing now. I have been there so you are not alone. I have a post on my blog called "Wigs 101" that might help. http://lifeasabaldgirl.wordpress.com/page/3/

Comment by Tracey on March 19, 2012 at 12:41pm

Thanks, ladies! To answer one of Kathryn's questions, I did go to William Collier, and he does have beautiful wigs, so that was reassuring! I couldn't help petting them! Such a kind and knowledgable man, too. I think he spent more time looking at my hair and scalp than my two doctors have!! After 45 minutes of discussing my situation, he advised me to hold off on making a purchase-- I don't have any patches visible yet, but am still shedding, and he didn't want me to waste money on a topper if in a month or two I was going to need a full wig. He suggested I take my chances on the trip, but pick up a hat that would be my "signature look" if during the trip I needed coverage, and then reassess when I return. He also offered to personally give me a new hair style (he tells me he usually only does wig consults and trims and leaves hair styling to the rest of his staff downstairs). He felt my current cut could be modified to improve what I've got going on right now. So, I head back on Thursday (he offered to make my appointment late in the day so no one else would be in the salon), and I am looking forward to that. I know it will mean several inches coming off, but at this point, it needs to happen.

Now... I need hat help! Kathryn, my fellow Seattlite, do you have suggestions on where to shop for cute hats? While I do look decent in hats, my usual style is pretty understated. I really don't know how one does understated with a hat, but bald patches don't exactly say "understated" either!! For those wondering, we are heading to London, Paris, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome! Three weeks! Hold on, hair!! :-)

Comment by Kathryn on March 19, 2012 at 1:30pm

Well, I must confess... I am not exactly used to being consulted for fashion tips! When you say you're style is "understated," I'm right there with you! For me, I think I lived in baseball hats last summer. They stay on your head in the wind and you can throw them in the wash without much worry. I have one from the Columbia Sports store that was vented and kept me cool in summer. I also have a couple of "paperboy" hats, I think they were referred to as. One small step up from baseball hats. It sounds like your travel may be a little more dressed up.

I walk through the airport often, and the Fireworks store is always displaying cute, unusual hats. They have spring styles out now, and I'm sure the downtown location would have some as well. There's a store in the Westlake shopping center. Also, I would check out Nordstrom's. Last year they had some lovely sun hats that tolerated being rolled up and packed. They were pricey, but might be what you want for your trip.

I hope that helps! I'm excited for you in your travels. Getting away might be just the thing you need to get distracted from what's going on with your hair. Who knows... Maybe a different environment will be the change you need to interrupt your immunity going crazy!

Comment by Tracey on March 19, 2012 at 1:45pm

Thanks, Kathryn! I will definitely check out Fireworks-- need to drop by U Village anyway for something else. I did drop a Buff Band into my suitcase just in case-- figure it's better than nothing.

Funny-- my docs and several others have also said that the distraction of the trip might be enough to get my immune system going in a different direction. If so, perhaps we'll have to plan an AW group trip next! ha ha

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