That photo has a purpose, because this is about stupid headwear & I also like you to know I actually do what I say I’m doing. I snapped it quickly before someone walked in and judged me for a mirror selfie, we’ve all been there. I’m just trying to show off my bow.
Right, the gym. My consultant told me I’m allowed to exercise, gently, but obviously listen to my body blablabla, so please discuss anything like this with your own consultant before you do anything. Ask about keeping your PICC line safe too if you have one, don’t dislodge it for goodness sakes that’s not what we want.
Here we go.
I had a baby in December by c-section so I couldn’t try to get back to my ‘normal’ until 6 weeks after this & the ok from my GP. When I got all that I was doing really well at the gym, then I was diagnosed with cancer. Believe it or not, after that I decided the gym could go to hell. How dare I get cancer when I lived a healthy lifestyle (wine aside) so why should I ever go there again. Plus you’re quite busy when you’re diagnosed with cancer, they really don’t leave you alone, so I didn’t have time.
Obviously the last thing I cared about was losing weight and toning up, then chemo started and I just focussed on getting through that EVERY WEEK for 12 weeks. Now, with the 3 weekly chemos I decided that I could try and get fit again, get some stamina, and actually it seemed a great place to channel the indescribable rage I feel daily.
I have been held back by my absolute fear of going to the gym with a headscarf on, I don’t like being looked at, at all, and that just seemed like such an enclosed space with mirrors everywhere for you to catch all the looks and fuel the paranoia. The universe laughed at me and decided to push me to the absolute edge of sanity, my chemo was delayed AGAIN last week because of my stupid immune system. The burning rage actually forced me into the gym with such a “F U” attitude that I didn’t even care to look around to see who was staring or if they even were, I just thought everyone can piss off. I left feeling accomplished, calm, and proud.
I think the other main thing to explain here is that I don’t just have rage on my side, I also have the most amazing support system. My sister in law comes with me all the time and having her by my side makes me feel so safe and normal that I forget I look like I have cancer.
Background covered, let’s get down to business - working out with a headscarf on… IS THERE NOT ANY OTHER WAY?!?!?! Not only do I have to re-tie them several times (and I don’t struggle to tie them well enough to stay firmly in place for a whole day) they’re so HOT.
No, I haven’t ever tried working out with a wig on, I’d never recover if it flew off.
I’ve searched high and low and a cooling headscarf doesn’t exist. There are some that claim to ‘stop sweating’ but I’m not sure anyone can claim that works when you’re exercising and have a hot flush at the same time. If you know, you know.
There are, however, chemo hats! These are really soft hats, I have a couple that I was given to use throughout all of this and I can confirm they’re super comfy. I won’t wear the ones I was gifted because I’d like to return them as beautifully as they came.
Here is an example of one and whilst this isn’t a colour combo I’d rock it’s a great example of a chemo hat. You can get these from so many different places if you type “chemo hat” into google the options are endless. These stay on really well (if they’re good quality I assume) and don’t need any tying at all, so if you do decide to exercise (and are allowed) they might make your life easier.
The other option that’s out there are “pre-tied” headscarves. They’re a lot like chemo hats but come in different materials, depending on where you buy them from.
What I like about these (I have a few) is that you can pretend they’re headscarves and your talent for tying them knows no limits. The cheap ones I have are quite a thin material too so although poor quality, your head doesn’t get quite so hot. They’re sometimes elasticated, or that tight jersey type material and doesn’t move so they’d be perfect for exercising and not slipping off. These also exist in a hundred different online shops and vary in price from £2, which is insane, to around £15. I’m sure there are more expensive ones but I don’t pay attention to them so you’re on your own past £15.
Pros and cons baby, until someone invents a cooling, non-slip headscarf we have to go with it.
I did find something called a ‘cooling cap’ but I am not brave or confident enough to rock my bald head with a cap anywhere. They cost £35 too so immediately I was disinterested, why spend that for a temporary situation? TELL THE UNIVERSE YOU’RE GOING TO BE CANCER FREE PEOPLE! If you like the sound of a cooling cap, google has got you, just search it. They’re literally a cap, that somehow cools your head and absorbs sweat, supposedly. Always read the reviews.
After typing this I also think there needs to be a gym for people on chemo and for us only. It would be super clean and we could all be bald together in peace. With air con on full blast.
I find myself sitting here reevaluating my choices, who wears a slippery, silky scarf to the gym and expects it to stay in place? I literally have pre-tied headscarves. Maybe I’ll follow my own advice. EYEROLL.
Comments