Raoul Wigmakers in Bayswater are fantastic!! 02077237173 Amazing people and take care of you.

Hi Kim 

So sorry that you're in this situation. I'll answer based on my own experience but each hospital may do things slightly different.

When I arrived for my first chemo session the nurse asked lots of questions and we got around to hair. Although I've chosen to use the cold cap I initially asked about a wig. I was offered a prescription and they give you the details of 2 local specialists. During the lockdown the calls are done via zoom and the wig consultant will offer advice and show you suitable wigs. It's then sent out in the post for you to try on. If you like it great but if not you can send it back and try again.

As I said I'm currently using the cold cap. I've got my 6th session next week. I won't lie and tell you it's easy in fact for the first 20 minutes whilst it cools down to -6 it is very cold and uncomfortable. However if you can get through those first 20 minutes then it's ok. I've lost about 20% of my hair but still have a full head of hair so for me it was the right choice. 

I hope I've answered the question for you. I wish you well with your treatment.

Barb xx

Hi Barb,

Thanks so much for getting back to me,  I hope that you are doing well & nearing the end of your chemo.

This is really sound advice, I have heard different things about the cold cap & realise that everyone is different of course, I think that I will give it a go & wrap up warm! 

Sending my best wishes to you 

Kim x

Hi Kim,

You're welcome. I'm halfway through and getting great results.

If you're going to give the cold cap a go then here's a couple of things that you should know.

Take a comb and conditioner with you. My unit has it there but don't assume.

Take a fabric headband to protect your forehead. Gauze can be used but more uncomfortable.

Take a hat to put on once the cap is taken off as you'll have wet and icy hair.

If you decide you don't want to carry on with it you will still be entitled to the prescription.

Good luck

Barb xx

Thanks so Much,

Good to hear that you are doing well, very encouraging for you.

I'm grateful for the extra information as a newbie, it can seem a bit of a minefield at first.

Wishing you well for the rest of your treatment 

Kim xx

[@Barbm]‍ Hi Barb, Firstly thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative posts, they are enormously helpful. I stumbled over this post as I am thinking about upcoming hair loss, I’m 4 weeks post mastectomy, first appointment with onc on 2nd march. I was really pleasantly surprised about you keeping most of your hair and had been convinced with docetaxol, the hair drop would likely be abrupt and total at day 17 to 19 of the first cycle as so many others mention. I had no idea a cold cap could make so much difference. I have Invasive ductal carcinoma which is HER2 positive, so was told at the outset I would have chemo for 6 months then trastuzumab for 1 year following - chest wall radiotherapy has now been added at the end of treatment, because of the (2 tumour) growth rate in a matter of a few short weeks. Admittedly I won’t know the chemo breakdown until tuesday, but very likely it will contain a taxane - docetaxol. If it’s not too personal a question did your hair loss remain at about 20% whilst continuing with the cold cap? Was it tolerable for your longer first cycle with the slower delivery? Thank you for the other great tips too - icy hair - comb and conditioner, use of hairband etc, they are invaluable, have helped greatly, and will most certainly help others too at some future point. A massive thank you Barb, and a great big hug to you. Lyn. X

Hi, thank you for your reply. I'm glad that you found my post informative.

I'm sorry that you've been diagnosed with cancer. It's mind blowing at first but there's loads of information and lovely people on this forum.

I've had 7/8 chemo sessions now and my hair loss has remained at 20-25% Although I can feel the difference ( thinner hair) nobody else can tell. I still have a full head of hair. However long you have the cold cap on its the first 15 minutes that you have to get past. It's painful in the sense that I get brain freeze within about 30 seconds. After those 15 minutes though you'll just feel cold. I always have a couple of blankets and a heat pad from the nurses which get me through. For me it was worth it. 

After my 6th session my eyelashes and eyebrows started to fall out but that hasn't bothered me because I always had thin over plucked eyebrows and I can put false lashes on.

I hope I've answered all of your questions. If you have anymore give me a shout. Good luck with your treatment. Kick cancer's butt.

Barb

[@Barbm]‍ Hi again, thank you so much Barb, you’re a diamond. I will absolutely try it and try to persevere with it. I have a very thick head of hair, but alopaecia was and is in my direct family - grandad, dad, paternal aunts, brother and nephew. Hopefully I have mams genes, that side of the family all had fabulous hair. My eyebrows are nothing to write home about either - mid 1970’s teenager - what the heck possessed me? I remember coming downstairs having plucked them to a line of one hair aged 14, thinking I looked really fab, I got such a rollicking from me mam. They’ve been patchy ever since. 

Once again a million thanks Barb, I will let you know how I get on. You take good care of yourself. Lyn. X