Anyone with experience riding coaster rides with a wig on?

[Luvmy2Js]

We have a trip planned for my sons 3rd birthday January 6-9. My entire family, sisters family, parents, and two friends families are going. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and underwent chemo so she currently wears a wig. She has decided she is not going to go because she would be unable to ride her favorite rides for fear of losing her wig. My sister and I have done and said everything we can think of but she won't budge. She is convinced her wig would fall off and feels her face is too fat to just wear her hair the spiky one inch that it currently is. Obviously I will let it go if it really is going to be a problem because this has been a hard enough year for her without forcing her to go on a trip that she would be uncomfortable on. I selfishly just want everyone to be there and if anyone had any experience with this that I could pass on to my mom, I would hope she might change her mind.

We have tried suggesting wearing a hoodie tied tight and that all of us girls would do the same so she didn't feel silly but her wig is a year old and it no longer stays in place well so she fears it would get messed up and that it is all too much hassle. I should probably just give it up and leave her alone but I know she loves Disney also and would have fun if she could just forget about the darn wig. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[imjen]

That's a really hard situation. Would it be possible for her to get some sort of hair weave so it would stay in place better (no idea if this would work--just a thought?) Or what about just wearing a cute scarf or hat instead of a wig. I hope you're able to work this out so she feels good about going!

 

[bradk]

i went with someone to WDW who had no hair at all. granted it would have been uncomfortable weather wise with a wig anyway, but she wore a scarf the entire time and didn't have any issues that i'm aware of. she went on expedition everest, test track and splash mountain.

 

[Luvmy2Js]

Those are great suggestions and ones that I used also. I think part of the problem with her only wanting to wear her wig is that she had to quit smoking in order to get her breast reconstruction surgery in January and she has gained a bit of weight making her face more round than normal. I personally think she looks great and love her with just a beanie on and even thinks she looks awesome with her hair just 1 inch long. She is uncomfortable though with it and thinks she looks hideous and that we are all making fun of her or telling her it looks good just so she will go.

I hate this situation and hate that she is allowing this stupid cancer to affect any area of her life. We had all planned a trip right about the time she found out she had cancer and this is the first time going back. I am also worried that my dad is going to back out at the last minute because he will feel guilty about leaving my mom at home. Thanks for your help though.

 

[todzwife]

I was going to suggest a scarf or even a headband OVER the wing to secure it...

Maybe something like this:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8458122

or this:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8450809

 

[todzwife]

A friend of mine made me a cool scarf-y headband-y thing that ties. I'm SURE if you mom had a preference for a certain fabric that she could whip one up really fast too.

 

[Luvmy2Js]

Hmm I wonder about that last link you provided. It is super cute and looks like it might possibly work. I will have to show her that and see what she says. Thanks

 

[disney-super-mom]

I agree with the hair weave idea, which is a GREAT solution! It lasts for a long time and can't fall out. I like hair weaves because they look so natural. She could do anything she wanted, from riding coasters, to going swimming, to riding down the freeway with the top down on the convertable!

Every girl in Hollywood has one.

 

[imabrat]

I can't help,but I want to thank you for making this thread.
In the summer,after finishing chemo in March,I'll be going on my Make A Wish trip to DLR.
I am at a loss as what to do with my head.
I'm a teenage girl,and there's NO way I'm walking around bald.
But,I don't want to walk around with my hat flying off my head.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

 

[fan of the TTA]

no clue, have never exspirienced it

 

[samkj]

I can't help,but I want to thank you for making this thread.
In the summer,after finishing chemo in March,I'll be going on my Make A Wish trip to DLR.
I am at a loss as what to do with my head.
I'm a teenage girl,and there's NO way I'm walking around bald.
But,I don't want to walk around with my hat flying off my head.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

I hope you have an easy time with chemo and wish you all the best. FWIW I was able to give up my wig entirely, even had my hair colored in August after finishing chemo in April, so maybe by summer you'll have a cute stylish short hair style.

I went to Dinsey with the 1 1/2 inch style after chemo, but I was comfortable enough with it by then. I will admit I don't really like the pictures though since my hair was so short! I completely understand how your mom feels. I NEVER once went out without my wig, never just a hat or scarf. I even wore my wig during a bone scan, radiation treatments and CT scan. Since we were new to our area, most people never even knew it was a wig. Since you mentioned her wig is older and doesn't fit as well as it used to, have you offered to buy her a new one? But then again even with it properly fitting, I don't know if it would hold up to CA Screamin. Everyones comfort level in different. I hope your mom finds a workable solution, if she is willing to go without the wig (which it doesn't sound like she wants to do) offer to leave her out of pictures if it makes her feel better. Cancer already stole one year of her life, it shouldn't steal Disneyland too!

 

[lovedoggies]

I second, or third, the weave extension idea. She will end up loving it. I did it after my chemo a few years ago and it was great. I got some shorter length curly ones - it was not real hair. I went for the simulated stuff, looking back real hair might have been a better choice. Once the synthetic hair is styled you pretty much have to leave it as is, or it becomes a mess. I think it might even melt if you used a blow dryer. Not sure. I just let it dry naturally. The hair itselft felt very natural though and no one ever seemed to notice. Its becomes attached to your real hair so there is no way its falling out. Mine lasted about 2 months or so. I had them attached using wax, but there are other ways. My real hair was only about an inch long so I couldnt use the braided applicaiton which is really what I wanted. I think it does less damage to your real hair. But who knows.

I cant remember the cost, but about $100-$150 maybe. It took about 2.5 hours to put them in. It doesn't hurt or anything. Suggest it and see what she says!

 

[LukenDC]

There are SO MANY women on chemo these days who are opting to go bald instead of wearing a wig. A bald woman is no longer a rare sight.

Your mother should do what makes her feel most comfortable. I have never had cancer, but my mother had chemo for breast cancer and I know that she was self concious about her hair. No one will think less of your mother because of her lack of hair. In fact, she'll probably be inundated with supportive comments!

Good luck!

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DM was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2003. She told her Dr. that when she was all done with her chemo she was going to WDW! And we did. We went in Dec. 2003 and she had a wonderful time! . She wore her wig all the time. Being as it was cold it also helped keep her head warm. And of course her hair always looked good in the pix! Her wig did fit well, however, and she said it never felt like it was going to come off. There was one unexpected side effect from the chemo, however, on that trip she discovered that she now gets a little nauseous on some rides (ones that never bothered her before) like RnR. She won't go on that one anymore. However, ToT is still her favorite. (My DM is still doing well, cancer free now over 4 years! )

I hope you can convince your DM to go.

 

[allison k]

My DSIL was 3 weeks post her last chemo treatment 2 years ago when we went on the Disney Cruise with one day at WDW. She's not a roller coaster goer, so that wasn't an issue. However, on the cruise, her wig almost went flying on the upper decks! Her solution was to buy a hat that had a chin strap - a cowboy hat from the gift shop. While it was not cheap, the ability to go out on deck went it was windy and not having to worry about her "hair" flying off was way worth it!

You may want to let her know that there will be a time when she'll have to go wigless. As her hair gets longer, the wig starts to look not quite right. My sil kept her wig on as long as possible, and I remember it looking pretty funky towards the end. She wasn't happy to go with shorter hair - her hair was so long to start with - but she knew it was time. I remember how the loss of hair was worse for her than the loss of her breasts.

I hope your mom can find a solution so that she can join you on your trip.

 

[ShawnaF]

Sounds to me like she NEEDS this trip - keep pushing and talk her into it! I'm sure you will ALL treasure the experience later! I'm SURE if she got a pair of Mickey ears to put on top (maybe tighten the strap a tiny bit!) and used a little stronger adhesive, it should stay on.

To the young lady worried about a bald head - nah, you go no matter what!!! Have you been to California? Ladies young and old have a zillion hair styles - and many prefer bald or very very short, it's a fashion statement. If these tiny little kids can do it, so can you! Wear it proud, put on your smile, and enjoy yourself!!! I also promise that you'll be cuter than 95% of the others in the park and half of the ladies will go home considering YOUR style!

 

[Rapunsel]

As my DBF told his wife before she passed away from her 2nd round of cancer.." Hold on to your hair. I am not buying you a new one!" And she would ride the roller coaster not with her hands in the air but her hands on her head.. The entire family loved it and thought it was so cool..

I now wish that I could have known her. Just by this statement..

 

[Luvmy2Js]

Thanks for all the ideas. We have resorted to bribery. Yesterday my dad took my mom out and bought her a new horse for Christmas and after it was loaded in the trailer he asked her if this meant she would now go to Disney with us. She thought it was funny but from talking to her last night it still sounds like she is not going. I really hope to change her mind and have let her know about this thread. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the advice.

Also glad the thread could help someone else out. I agree that I would go with what you are comfortable with. I will tell you I was in line for California Screamin last year behind a woman with a bald head and a pink cancer ball cap on. She looked awesome and had the best attitude. She just took the hat off to ride the ride and then had it back on when we got off. We got into conversation in line and she was just happy to be at Disney and said it was bothering her a lot less than she had thought it might. Have a great time!!

 

[Tink33]

How about the tug at your heart approach from you soon to be 3yo?

Dear Grandma,

I am so happy that you are going to Disneyland with me for my birthday. I hope you will go on rides with me because I love you so much.

I can't wait!

Love,

*******