Yes chemo comes in both forms, tablets and or IV, it depends on your regime. Most of us (but not all) have IV. Again , loosing your hair depends on the chemo, some manage to keep their hair with cold CSP treatments, many of us loose our hair. I’ve just looked at your bio and your diagnosis is similar to mine. My treatment is IV and yes I’ve lost my hair but I didn’t cold cap if that helps x
Yes partly, but also I had DCIS in 2013 and had 3 weeks of radiotherapy, the women I met there all told me they’d tried it, it gave them headaches, extended the length of time they were in on the day for chemo and still experienced either partial or total loss of hair. So when I was diagnosed with invasive BC this time I decided not to bother. I’ve been on the ward with 2 ladies who tried it and still lost their hair and one who’s hair had thinned but they still have hair. There are ladies on here who’ve kept their hair but I think they’d agree it has thinned and I decided that waking up with it on my pillow every day wasn’t for me, when it started to go I just shaved it, it helped me feel I had control. I think however it’s a deeply personal and individual decision and I think you need to decide for you then sod everyone else. I have kept some eyelashes and eyebrows, although hugely diminished, I credit this to using no mascara or brow pencil at all since starting chemo, removing the makeup pulls them out imho. I hope that helps x
I've just finished 8 rounds of chemo and was told with EC and Paxitaxol that I would lose all my hair. I had long hair before treatment so decided to start with a pixie cut, then I braved the shave after 2 rounds as my hair was coming out and my head was sore. I've manged to keep my eye brows and some lashes like Anna and very weirdly my under arm hair as well! I had my last chemo 6th Jan and I already have some hair regrowth so hoping that continues.
I've met a few women on the ward who have cold capped and had quiet good results. They were told to take paracetamol beforehand and that if you can get through the first 15 mins it gets easier. I chose not to as I didn't want to prolong the time on the chemo ward but like Anna has also said it's a personal decision.
My initial chemo was IV and I've been told that I might also have tablet chemo after my surgery but I think that's quite specific for people who don't have hormone receptive cancer (triple negative).
I know how dauting it is thinking about hairloss but for me it was much easier once I took the plunge and shaved it.
I have 4 chemo's left (I had 3 EC and have had 5 of 9 paclitaxel) all have been via IV.
I shaved my head just before cycle #2 back in October. I haven't embraced losing my hair at all and I didn't feel empowered when it was shaved, I just felt sad, however there were no tears and I've come to accept it now. It was never totally shaved, my partner buzzed it with a #4 all over and I did get a lot of hair falling out but by Christmas that had more or less stopped, it's now starting to grow.
I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes but they are thinned. I've worn make up most days, particularly during paclitaxel as I don't feel as rough on this type of chemo.
I wear hats around the house and have found a good wig that I've actually worn loads when going out - no one would know it's a wig and it's made me feel more myself.
Losing my hair was one of the worst things about this whole thing but hair grows back, it's a temporary thing.
Thank you. Convinced I'll feel the same. Horrifies me. As you say, temporary and if it ultimately saves my life I shouldn't be so vain! Grateful for the support
Hi I have had 3 EC, did start on docetaxol but had a reaction so this Friday I start on paclitaxel. I have them weekly I have 6 weeks left, I guess the docetaxol must have counted as 3 weeks. I am also on herceptin. I had surgery first, not sure about radiotherapy, my lymph nodes were clear. Think mine was 20mm. Wishing you well with yr treatment xx
