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My sister is suffering from cancer

kimberly221
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Hi all,
I am new to this forum. I am here to know about a drug called Taxotere. It is a widely used drug for chemotherapy among women who suffer from breast cancer. But, it has a severe side effect, it is said that women who take this breast cancer chemotherapy drug,  are likely to suffer permanent hair loss. 
My sister, who is 35 years old, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she is undergoing chemotherapy sessions now. The doctors have told us that she would be recovering soon. She has lost almost all of her hair, and she is really sad about it because she always loved her hair. I told her that her hair will grow back once she is completely cured. But then, she showed me this article, http://thelawfirm.com/Taxotere/. It is said that women will permanently become bald due to the side effects of the drug. What is shocking is that despite having knowledge of the risk of permanent baldness, the manufacturers of Taxotere failed to adequately warn women or the medical community of this permanent side-effect. This is really shocking. My sister really worries about this. Could this be really true? Is there no other option or a replacement for this drug? Being permanently bald is something that no one wishes for. 

 

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    Hi Kimberley - so sorry to hear about you all - your sister struggling with the aftermath of chemo and you bing worried for her. You are welcome to our friendly forum where there are many people experienced with chemo. I dont know that one very well - but I am not surprised that there is hair loss = I think nearly all chemo treatments carry the risk of hair loss. Chemo is very strong meds with one aim = to neutralise cancer cells. We have to accept the risk of side effects, includingg hair loss, if we want to recover from cancer. So, there is little option usually. My wife has lost loads of her hair - which grieves her very much - but she has come to terms with this  as the chemo has saved her from dying.

    The pattern of hair loss with chmo is different with people and it is impossible to predict - my wife thought she would lose all her hair - but only lost half. Others lose everything =

    So, try to re assure r poor sister that she is still glamorous dispite hair loss = I know hair loss is a thing - it may come back (this takes ages BTW)

    Be very wary of a law firm = believe me please = every lawyer in that company (who are our to make proffit from peoples missery) = every lawyer would take the chemo if they had to = we need all the remedies we have - During yr sisters journey you will meet many people trying to profit from others mussery or desperation.

    So my thought for today is that you and yr sister find peace and acceptance of the situation and her true beauty shines through the tears.

    Some times a cold cap will help

    Brighteyes xxx

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    Hi Kimberley221,

    Thanks for posting on the forum. The moderators have asked us nurses to post a reply to you.

    I am sorry to hear about your sister’s situation, this must be a difficult time for the family.

    The patient information leaflet about Taxotere, does talk about there being a risk in rare cases of permanent hair loss. I understand that your sister probably hasn’t seen the leaflet though. She would have talked to her specialist doctor and most likely a breast care nurse about the different drugs she is taking.

    Most people will find that their hair will grow back but unfortunately in some cases the hair loss is permanent, but this really isn’t common.

    I don’t know what information is available in the USA for people having Taxotere so I can’t comment on law firm’s statements. What bright eyes says is probably fairly close to the mark, though, in that lawyers are not necessarily driven by what is best for patients’ health.

    Doctors will prescribe the best drugs for the patient and in many studies Taxotere has proved to be the most effective treatment. Nobody can ever predict exactly what side effects someone is going to get but there is a high chance that your sister’s hair will grow back after the treatment finishes. It will most likely be softer than before, may be a different colour and curly and could well take a while to grow back fully.

    I hope this reassures you and your sister,

    Take care,

    Deborah

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