Should I shave my head?

[Longhorn]

Once I know for sure what kind of chemotherapy I'll be getting (I go to MD Anderson next Tuesday) I'll know for sure if I will lose my hair. I have long blond hair. I've heard two recommendations:

1. Get it cut short so that it won't be as noticeable as it falls out, then shave the rest. Seems like I would need a wig and/or scarves ready in advance.

2. Get it shaved off before it starts falling out as it may be more empowering to do it myself than to wait for the chemo to do it.

I'll be getting a wig or two and it's better to have them fitted with no hair. Also, MD Anderson sells wigs so I could get it done while I'm down there. I may also use scarves and hats -- I've seen some beautiful bald ladies when I go for radiation therapy -- but I don't know if I can go bald in public all in one step. Losing my hair wasn't that important to me when I first got the diagnosis but I think it will get harder as it gets closer. :scared:

Two cool things happened yesterday:

1. Yesterday was my last day of classes before I go to MD Anderson. A student brought me some flowers in a vase shaped like a cowboy boot! :) She said it was actually a souvenir mug from a rodeo.

2. Yesterday was also my last radiation treatment for this round (one more round in two weeks, depending on what they say at MDA.) My radiological oncologist, who knew nothing about my cowboy boots kickin' and stompin' the cancer, gave me a plaque engraved with a John Wayne quote that says, "Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway." Now, this is Texas and maybe he gives these to all his patients but it sure has special meaning for me (even though I'm not really a John Wayne fan. ;)) When I told him about my boots, he said that gave him chills.

I've already been through the ringer this morning! I got a call from MD Anderson saying I needed a referral from my PCP and I may have to reschedule my appointment if I don't get it before I get there. After several phone calls to my PCP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and MD Anderson, I have a referral number. Fortunately, my GYN oncologist had already requested the referral from my PCP so it was just a matter of getting the right doctor's name on it. (At least, that's the latest I've heard -- I'm waiting to hear back from MDA.) It's a good thing I was off today so that I had time to drop everything for an hour and make a bunch of panicky phone calls!

Finally, I spilled water on my cellphone! :( I just got it last week! It was just a quick splash -- I hope it recovers. Since I'm always either teaching or traveling from campus to campus, I can't make it through this experience without it!