Hair vs no hair

Hi Lorraine, 

if you are having EC/FEC chemo then you will lose a fair bit of hair even with the cold cap. I did it,  and probably lost 80% of my hair,  which was long so I wore a scarf which my remaining hair held in place. Once you start Paclitaxel then your hair wro start to grow back. If you are having any chemo it protects the roots,  which is especially important with Docetaxel where 5-10% of women have some sort of permanent hair loss without the cold cap. Hair also grows back quicker after the cold cap 

If you go ahead with it it will mean longer sessions,  as it needs 30 minutes before chemo to cool your scalp,  and depending on what the drug is,  30-60 minutes afterwards.   I took a kindle and used the wifi to watch tv, films etc and read too, so it was relaxing. . 

Hello I start chemo on Wednesday. I’ve done 2 things. Got some scarves (just in case) and started to wear them now to get used to them. Also got a wig, NHS were supportive. I really like it. But I am also going to try the cold cap. An aunt of mine tried it but hated it so dropped it and just went for the chemo. I thought I would give it a go. Takes much longer for treatment on the day and I guess you are cold cold cold. 

I was told 70% of women don’t lose all their hair if they use the cold cap (not sure if that’s true) but those that don’t will still lose some hair. I aim to keep covered up, I don’t want to show me with no hair. But I see some women who look so beautiful. I aim to embrace whatever happens. But I think it’s such a loss, but it will grow back. I have also got my hairdresser to cut my hair much shorter. Thought it would be easier to lose shorter hair.

Hi my story on profile if you want to read but I'm HER2 positive 

We are all different so can talk about how we felt ..at my age I decided didn't want the bother of cold cap and still possibly lose hair . Onco was very direct and adamant that I would like hair on EC . A lot like in within first week or two .

I had my med length bob cut to pixie then only washed when needed using nioxin product to care for follicles . No styling product or hairdryer . Just finger dry . 

I didn't start to lose hair til about 8weeks in ... and because it can get painful at roots hairdresser kept it as short as possible without shaving . I had selection of hats and a wig also pixie style . 

Hairdresser did no 2 shave just before I finished chemo last December so new hair would have shape . 

I found because it was winter hats were the thing I only used wig once or twice and surprisingly enough was happy to go bald ! 

From what I've read on here young children are quite blasé about it as long as they know it's likely to happen . Also helping to choose headgear 

I had some fuzz on my scalp in March when I was shielded but needed a trim when July came around ...chemo curls abound .

Ive now had 4 trims to tame it whilst we get it to right length for styling .

Try to not sorry too much all the waiting is the worst time and once treatment starts you feel better because you can get on with it ! 

Have a browse thru the threads lots of info/support  but also lots of chatter and jokes . 

Hi Lorraine

I was diagnosed in June and am HER2 positive too and have just finished my 6th (and last) session of Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Pertruzumab and Herceptin (TCHP).  From now on it is an operation on 4th December followed by radiotherapy but I also have to have Herceptin injections every three weeks until June.  I was given the option of whether I wanted chemo before my op as well as after and, to be honest, told them to throw everything they could at it as I want to be as sure as I can be that the damn thing goes.  After session 3 of the chemo my lump had reduced from 37mm to 22mm so I know, despite the troublesome side effects, that the chemo is working.  I have always had fairly short hair and my hairdresser cut it even shorter before my chemo.  I was given the option of the cold cap but when was told it stopped the chemo getting to the hair folicles I decided against it - again, because I want the chemo to kill anything that might be lurking anywhere.  About two weeks after my first session my hair started falling out and the roots became a bit sensitive.  My hair is quite thick so it didn't really notice and I could probably have gotten away with keeping it for quite some time but I got fed up with seeing it come out every day so my wife got the dog clippers out and took it down short.  Then I shaved the rest of it off.  I was really quite liberating and meant I was now in control.  I haven't bothered with a wig but have some stretchy tubes/snoods (Buff do them in the outdoorsy shops like Mountain Warehouse) as do lots of places now as people are using them as face masks.  I find them really comfortable and easy to slip on and off - they do them in lots of bright colours too.  I told my grandchildren that I was going to lose my hair before I lost it and they have all taken it in their stride.  I don't wear anything on my head when I see them and they see it as completely normal.  I haven't bothered with a wig as I find the head Buffs more than adequate - you can jazz them up with a scarf if you want to - but I do understand that to lots of ladies their hair is part of how they define themselves so keeping that look is important.  

With regard to the chemo itself, the nurses in the chemo ward are amazing - they will take you through everything you need to know and explain everything they are doing.  Because they put the cathetas (needles) in so often they are really good at doing it so the discomfort is minimal (I just don't look).  It is no good telling you not to worry because everyone is worried on the first session but once that is done it will all seem really mundane.  With regard to side effects (and you will get some), there is loads of advice on this site to help with those so I won't bore you here.

Be kind to yourself.  Listen to your body and try to stay positive if you can.  Remember, if you keep your face to the sunshine, the shadows will fall behind you.  Here is a picture of me with my baldy head, just to make you smile.  Take care and good luck. 

Sorry, it wouldn't let me post a photo of me - probably very wise!

Just to prove it does come back went into last lockdown bald came out in July needing a trim been trimmed every 4weeks . 

Keeping chemo curls under control as hair growing up and out rather than down lol I have always had very thick hair . 

Hi Lorraine

I've just started chemo and am currently trying the cold cap, it does mean longer sessions as it needs to be on for 30 minutes before the infusion and for 90 minutes afterwards. I find it very uncomfortable for the first 5 minutes and then I get used to it. If you decide to try it I advise getting some thin headbands to put around your head to protect the tops of your ears.

So far my hair is okay, but I've only had two sessions so far.

Good luck

Hi lorraine,

I lost my husband at the end of july this year due to a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, 4 months from diagnosis to death.  At the funeral i found a lump in my left breast and was told i would have chemo first then hopefully a mastectomy.  My biggest fear was to wake up and find hair on  my pillow and not have my husband beside me so i decided as it started to come out I contacted my best friendand with my daughters help as well they shaved my head live on facebook.  I found it very liberating. I didnt want to try the scalp cooling but thats personal choice i knew i couldn't decide what path my cancer and treatment would take but i could decide when my hair was going to go.  I wear scarves and beanie hats at the moment but i will get a wig.  I have to stay  positive for my family, my friends and most of all myself. I am also a qualified nurse and i will be going back to it when not if i am better. stay strong. sending love and virtual hugs.

mandy

Hi everyone, 

Thank you all so much for your messages, they have been a great help. I was at the hospital yesterday and found out my treatment plan with the types of chemo I will be getting. I start next Wednesday. To be honest not that i know what is going to happen i just want to get started. 

The comments helped me prepare for my appointment yesterday and also had my questions ready for it. I am going to give the cold cap a try. If i don't like it then I will stop but worth a try. I am going to get my hair all chopped before my treatment. It's a good excuse to treat myself before the hard work. 

Bevin your message made me laugh with the dog clippers.   Shieldmaiden69 I am so sorry about your husband and what you had to go through at already a difficult time. You have a great way of think about when you will go back to work. 

Thank you again for all your help. I saw an old Stand Up To Cancer logo online - we're not only going to stand up to it, we're going to knock it on it's a** 

Wishing you all the best. 

Lorraine.