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Comment by Tracey on March 21, 2012 at 12:12pm

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to check out Shine (a store for cancer patients) on Friday to see what their hat selection is like, and I have my hair cut tomorrow. I keep thinking back to my collecge years when my hair was too thick, naturally blonde and down to my waist. I had about a foot chopped off one day just for the hell of it. What I wouldn't give to be in that situation now.... My friends joked then that the hairdresser probably swept my hair up after I left and sold it to a wig maker. Life is crazy!

Comment by Alliegator on March 21, 2012 at 10:15am

I love hats! I like a lot of hats at Urban Outfitters (sold online too). Or, Target usually has cute hats. I bought a large brimmed hat from there for my trip to Costa Rica. I think baseball caps might be my favorite. One thing to remember... at an airport, you will have to take off any hat to go through security. Some museums might ask you to remove it as well. I was asked to take off my baseball cap one time when I went to a concert. I was NOT prepared for that. Now I know! :)

Comment by London girl on March 20, 2012 at 11:14am

Good luck hun!

I had my first one today and I just feel so much lighter. I know how you feel about the thin hair looking weird- I feel the same. Can't wait for my wig!

Let us know how it goes xxx

Comment by Tracy on March 19, 2012 at 10:53pm

Hi Tracey-I haven't been on the site for awhile. I too went to William Collier and couldn't believe how "easy" and comforting they were. My hair loss was so quick (literally 4 weeks)I ended up having one of the stylists shave my head when I came back to pick up my wig a couple days later. Hang in there, there is no right or wrong way to go through this journey--and I have also learned there is no one answer for this disease.

I have found some great hats at the downtown Nordstrom's. I just returned (last night!) from Maui and spent a lot of time with scarves and sun hats on. Really didn't want to take "Irena"--I have a hard time saying wig--to the beach. It is such a personal thing--I have purchased so many hats and scarves, a lot of trial and error!

I am seeing a wonderful dermatologist at UW. Her name is Dr. Andrea Kalus. I cannot say enough good things about her and the staff there.

Have a great time on your trip--the wonderful thing about traveling so far from home is not having to be concerned with running into people you know. Traveling has given me much more confidence with the whole AU debacle! Tracy

Comment by Tallgirl on March 19, 2012 at 8:55pm

Just Google "Hat Stores in Seattle." A lot come up.

Comment by Tracey on March 19, 2012 at 8:09pm

Thanks, Aimee!

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

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 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 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/

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