Oncology appointment regarding chemo

Hello Missi K. I know how you feel as I've had a few meetings too which have seemed rushed but try not to let one meeting get you down. The best person to speak to about your queries is your breast care nurse if you have one? Processes seem to differ from hospital to hospital but I didn't get any details about my chemo start date until after I'd met with an oncologist and signed the chemo consent form. I then had a short 'introduction session' with a nurse from the chemo unit prior to my first chemo session to answer any questions I had. They showed me round the unit and explained some of the processes such as provision of medication to avoid sickness etc and at  that meeting I asked about using the cold cap and they talked me through this too.  

It's best to use a conditioner that doesn't have sulphates/parabens in it. I used 'Faith in Nature' shampoo & conditioner but other  similar products are available from chemists, supermarkets & health food shops. If you put cold cap into the search bar at the top of the page you'll find quite a few threads with tips in, and happy to provide more info for you if you need it. The cold cap isn't for everyone, and you will still lose hair when using it, but it helps with regrowth. I finished 6 months chemo in December and still have a decent head of hair (although thinner than it was) which has now started growing again. It's useful to take a stretchy cotton headband with you too as this helps to protect your ears and forehead from the cold, and a hat/head covering for the journey home as your hair will still be wet and looking a mess! Good luck with your chemo, hope it all goes well for you.

Hi Missy K

yes they will spray your hair damp then apply conditioner, I used one I had in house. They then size your head and fit cap on, make sure you can feel the cap touching all your head. Take 2 paracetamol 15 mns before it goes on, the uncomfortable sensation will go away after 15 mns. 
it makes your stay on the unit longer but for me it was worth it. I didn’t go bald, my hair just thinned all over, wee patches worse than others. It’s not great but worth a try. Good luck. Ps take hat with you as head will be cold and wet going home x

Thankyou Lalalou,

I was under the impression now I’ve been handed over to oncology that the breast care team had done their bit , I wasn’t aware I could still contact them regarding chemo/cold cap ect and no one has mentioned about showing me around the unit or anything, they didn’t even tell me where the chemo unit was , I had to ask . 
Thankyou for your help I will definitely get some of the conditioner you mentioned and a fabric head band .I am very sensitive to the cold but definitely want to give the cold cap a go.

Hope you are doing well 

Thankyou Hofmann,

I too don’t mind staying in the Unit longer if it means a chance to save my hair , Although I know some still lose it regardless.

I will definitely take painkillers before using the cap as being out in a cold wind gives me headache so I am fully expecting the cold cap to give me one too ,

best wishes to you 

Sorry typo error Hmfm 

Good luck and also take warm scarf or cardigan x