Coping with Hair Loss

When diagnosed with cancer, one huge question is, “Will I lose my Hair?” When dealing with chemotherapy treatments, it can be hard to know which patients will lose their hair and which won’t. Sometimes, the drugs can cause your hair to thin or can cause hair loss only on the scalp. It is perfectly normal for someone to feel upset about hair loss, but remember that the best thing about losing your hair due to chemotherapy is that it will grow back! 

Preparing for Hair Loss

Find a support group: Even though you know hair loss is sometimes a side effect of cancer treatments, not everyone understands the emotional toll it can take. Having a support group that is going through the same situation to turn to for advice or guidance is helpful. 

Cut Your Hair Before Treatment: The fact is that having long strands of hair fall out in clumps while showering or brushing your hair after starting treatment can be emotionally traumatic. Cutting your hair before beginning treatment can help you accept that your hair will fall out and help you decide how to handle the hair loss due to chemotherapy. 

Buy a Wig: If you decide to wear a wig, the staff here at The Wig Palace can help you choose the perfect wig for your hair loss. We will help you find the wig that makes you feel the most beautiful and comfortable during your cancer journey. We have various styles and cuts for you to choose from and many wig accessories and styling products that will make your wig journey pain-free. 

Social Security and Disability Payments

If you’re one of the millions of Americans living off social security and disability, know that you are not alone in your financial troubles. The Social Security Administration recently revealed its lack of government funding had caused extended delays for recipients. We’re not just talking about a few days or weeks but delayed decisions close to six months or longer. Decisions can take a while, but the added delay is causing many people a financial crisis.

 

Disability applicants need their financial records, work history, medical records, and different checks and balances to confirm they are disabled and no longer able to work traditionally. The process can increase exponentially depending on the applicant’s history. You can download the form from the Social Security Administration website to get started. They also offer a checklist to begin the process here. 

 

If you’re on disability, it will convert to social security once you hit retirement age. Now, the retirement age varies, as in you can retire and collect at age 62, but you would not get the full amount until you retire at 70. Every month you receive social security before age 70, the social security amount decreases. Social Security (SS) helps millions of Americas after they retire. For many, retirement dreams look like golfing days, traveling, and spending time with family members and grandkids. However, with the inflation and lack of funding, many retirees are experiencing a financial crisis. If you’re looking for help or support, please reach out, and we’ll see how we can expedite or appeal the process.

Fall Activities

Last month, we talked about some Fall fun, so this month we’ll be picking up on the Fall theme but with crafts and activity suggestions. We love a good crafting session as it helps keep our minds young and hearts happy. We talked about food and flavors last time, but here are some of our favorite activities and crafts. The best thing about it is that we can get together as a group at the facility or with visitors like friends and family. 

 

Indoor Activities

 

Quilting is one of our favorite indoor activities, and with Fall’s cooler temperatures, it means more blankets and quilts. It’s not only a great activity for us, but it also gives us happiness and joy to give our work to others for birthday or holiday gifts. We also love painting with Fall themes and colors, as painting helps us see the world even when the weather doesn’t let us go out. We also love the Fall movies for Halloween and leading into the holiday season. 

 

Outdoor Activities

 

We love this season for the cooler weather and the opportunity to enjoy picking some delicious fruits and seasonal items. Apple picking and pumpkin patches are easy Fall favorites. Not only are these flavors delightful to cook and bake with, but we love getting out and feeling young again. There’s happiness, laughter, and sweet families all around. It’s a great activity to do with friends and loved ones. We love seeing our grandkids filled with wonder!

Senior Fall Favorites

With Fall weather quickly approaching, it’s time to discuss some of our favorite Fall activities, food, and fun. One of the favorites is the cooler weather; we all know the heat can be harder on many of our older loved ones. From our last post, you can remember it’s much harder to get and stay hydrated, so cooler weather means more hydration and better walks. Getting out and about helps all seniors with any mental health issues, movement problems, and that “stuffy” feeling they sometimes get. Cooler weather means long outings near Dry Creek or with family and friends. It means walking outside our facility, playing games, and enjoying the cooler morning air. 

 

Fall Food and Beverage Favorites

 

Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin pie or pumpkin-flavored food and drinks? Spices like nutmeg, pumpkin, chai, clove, and others bring on the Fall feels and are also great for our older loved ones. Chai tea is excellent for digestion, heart health, and blood sugar. We love a good chai tea mid-afternoon for a delightful pick-me-up. Not only is nutmeg delicious in pies, bread, and treats, but it’s also a fantastic anti-inflammatory spice enriched with antioxidants. It makes it one of our favorite Fall flavors! Pumpkin is easily the most recognized Fall food and beverage. Pumpkin is excellent for everyone as it has beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and iron. It’s full of antioxidants and is a low-calorie option. Enjoy some of our Fall favorites! 

Miranda Rights and The Supreme Court

We all know if a cop catches you, then “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law….” The courts created the Miranda Rights “warning” in 1966 to help prevent police coercion and brutality interrogation techniques. However, the Supreme Court recently ruled that law enforcement couldn’t be sued if they failed to provide the suspects with their Miranda warnings. This ruling doesn’t strike down a person’s Miranda rights; however, it may make some law enforcement officers less likely to comply with suspects and provide the stated rights. 

 

What does this American 1960s law change come from? A case from 2014 with an officer interrogation in Los Angelos, California. It was a sexual assault case with a written apology. This incident sparked so much interest because the officer failed to state the Miranda rights to the suspect and was then civilly sued under Section 1983, which allows individuals to sue state officials like law enforcement over the “deprivation” of constitutional rights and privileges. 

 

At this point, law enforcement still must warn that the person would be losing their rights or, as the Supreme Court stated, “the right to remain silent and speak with an attorney before the interrogation has started.” Though the phrasing is altered, the meaning is the same. Before you are arrested, you have the right to know your rights first. 

Fall is Around the Corner

With Fall around the corner, it’s time for cooler weather and darker wig options. We all know it can be fun to dye and change your hair color. Even though it may be a tough time in your life, know that The Wig Palace is here to help make every wig stage as comfortable and pleasant as possible. We know that wigs have a negative reputation for being too thick or too hot. Cooler weather means the wigs will feel less warm and more enjoyable. 

 

Darker colors for Fall are common for hair colors, wardrobe, and interior design. Fall brings out the spooky in us all! We love having multiple reasons to embrace our collection and spice up you and your wig choices. We understand that you may want something as similar to your natural color as possible, and we support and recognize the difficulty in selecting something different as you go through this challenging process. We can help you embrace the transition to whatever makes you feel like the best version of yourself. 

 

The Autumn season is often associated with brunettes, deep reds, and blacks. We see these tones in nature and the decor around us. If you previously dyed your hair a darker color come Fall, bring in any pictures as references. We can help you feel like you did before the treatments and hair loss. We’d love to see your inspirational photos if you’re embracing something entirely different. We’ll find something that makes you feel beautiful and ready for Fall. 

DUI & Cannabis: Tennessee Law

Though we typically associate a DUI with alcohol, it’s important to note that Driving Under the Influence means driving under the influence of any substance that can and will impair your judgment and driving abilities. DUIs can be for controlled substances, alcohol, and drugs. Tennessee is one of the 13 states where medical cannabis is not available. Tennessee is one of the 19 states where anyone possessing cannabis, even a small amount of a half ounce or less, is punishable by incarceration.

The only form of cannabis allowed in Tennessee is high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oil for seizure patients, which means that any use of cannabis, medically or recreationally, is illegal. As with Tennessee law, cannabis possession and cultivation is illegal. Cannabis possession is a misdemeanor, punishable up to 11 months and 29 days with a fine of up to $2,500. Cultivation of 10 plants or less is a felony, punishable by one to six years in prison with years added per plant over the 10.

When it comes to driving, part of getting a license is to hold yourself accountable to the laws of the land. No matter your personal beliefs on cannabis, you cannot be under its influence while driving. Not only will you be charged with possession, but you will also be charged with a DUI. If you cause injury or death, the charges will increase per incident.

Please drive safely and stay attentive to yourself and others.

Seniors and Heat: Staying Hydrated and Safe

With the added Summer heat, our humidity feels heavier and stickier. We know that keeping hydrated is essential for anybody, especially those with medical needs or older. Seniors are a large part of the population, and we need to watch for signs of heatstroke in those around us.

For our residents, we make sure they have easy access to many beverages, but most importantly, water and Gatorade with electrolytes. Sweating is the body’s way of regulating its temperature; unfortunately, senior citizens do not sweat like younger people. They are more prone to heatstroke, dizziness, and falling. We take extra care of our residents, so you shouldn’t worry too much. However, we recommend a few things if you care for an older loved one.

Recommendations for Seniors

Besides staying hydrated, doctors recommend that seniors stay inside during extreme heat. We provide numerous indoor activities to keep our residents safe and cool. Not only should seniors stay inside during extreme heat and humidity, but they should have as much AC and ventilation as possible to keep cool. Additionally, seniors should be aware of their medications and their side effects. Sun can cause increased side effects on many medications. It’s important to discuss this with a doctor. When it’s hot out, seniors should dress appropriately in light-colored clothing that protects their skin from sunburn and skin cancer. Longer sleeves, hats, and pants can cover the skin properly, and lighter-colored clothing will keep seniors cool.

Cancer Journey: Shaving Your Head

We know that Cancer is just as an emotional process as a physical process. Not only are patients losing their functionality as healthy humans, but they are losing parts of themselves that represent their identity. When someone is diagnosed with Cancer and decides to go through treatments, that individual knows they will lose their hair. It’s never part of the process people are prepared to go through. Patients wonder if or when they should shave their heads as treatment begins. They often think they will allow their hair to naturally thin and fall out to avoid the emotional crisis they might feel.

Most doctors and hair prosthesis specialists recommend patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation shave their heads before too much hair loss occurs. Most patients experience hair loss and thinning within two to three treatments, depending on factors like age and medication strength. Oncologists recommend patients shave their heads for a variety of reasons. Physically, they recommend patients shave their heads to avoid the added pain as the hair falls out and to avoid potential matting of the hair.

Shaving your head can be more therapeutic than allowing Cancer and the treatments to take your hair slowly. Doing this will enable you to decide and be active in your changing body and emotions. Many patients throw shaving head parties, post on social media, and create healing spaces. Most doctors recommend buzzing your head with a 1.5 blade to avoid ingrown hairs when shaving your head. Give us a call when you’re ready to shave your head and see about a wig. We’ll be here for you.

Losing My Hair, Losing Myself: How To Cope With Chemotherapy-Related Hair Loss

Hair loss can be an emotionally difficult process, especially when it’s related to chemotherapy treatment for cancer or another medical condition. When your hair starts falling out, and you have to go bald, it can be hard to feel like yourself anymore. This article covers the basics of hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. It offers some tips on coping with it emotionally and physically so you can preserve your self-esteem through this difficult period of your life.

Hair Loss With Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy vary for everyone who undergoes treatment. One of those potential side effects is hair loss. For some people undergoing chemotherapy, hair loss may be minor or minimal; for others, it can be significant and complete. If you’re one of these people who lose their hair to chemo, you might feel helpless or worried about your appearance. Even if you aren’t dealing with extreme hair loss due to cancer treatment, it’s normal to worry about losing your locks from other causes.

Ways To Handle Stress When Your Hair Falls Out

You’re in a vulnerable place. When you are going through treatment and losing your hair, it’s natural to feel that you are losing control over a lot of things in your life. Knowing how to handle your hair falling out can be difficult when you’re diagnosed with cancer and begin chemotherapy treatment. There are several things you can do to deal with it in a healthy way. Take care of yourself and stay focused on your treatment. If possible, allow someone else—like a friend or family member—to help you when washing your hair or applying shampoo. It’s important that you do not pull your hair out due to anxiety or stress related to chemotherapy treatment. Taking care of yourself and finding ways to stay positive will help keep stress levels down and alleviate anxiety; these actions also enable you to focus on recovery rather than getting wrapped up in concerns about how chemotherapy may affect your appearance.

Ways To Deal With Self-Esteem Issues

Research suggests that self-esteem issues stem from a feeling of alienation and can be treated with familiarization therapy. To combat self-esteem issues following chemotherapy treatments, find ways to stay connected to your daily life and routine. Your hair loss is only temporary; it’s important to remember that you have more than just your physical appearance to define yourself. Go through old photos of yourself; reread letters and cards you’ve received; write an email or letter to someone thanking them for their support during a difficult time; put on music that reminds you of happy times in your life. Taking these steps will ensure you don’t lose yourself in your battle with cancer.

Wigs And Chemotherapy

Many women who lose their hair due to chemotherapy use wigs and other hair replacements to regain a sense of normalcy. Visit Wig Palace in East Ridge to find the perfect wig for you during your cancer journey. It’s no secret that many patients feel embarrassed or self-conscious about losing their hair due to chemotherapy treatments. While it may seem like an easy fix to cover up thinning or missing locks with a wig or other type of head covering, finding one that is right for you can be quite challenging if you don’t know where to look. The staff at Wig Palace can help you find the perfect wig to make you feel more like yourself during chemotherapy.