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Advice for a newbie!!

shaggie
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Hi, I am 49 years old, relatively fit and have recently been diagnosed with cervical cancer. I will be starting chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in about three weeks. I have been offered two different types of chemotherapy; taxol and carboplatin combined or just carboplatin. The first treatment you lose your hair and the second treatment you do not. As I have long hair which I love, my question is has anybody just had carboplatin treatment with a successful outcome? The advice I have been given is the combined treatments are better.

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    Hi This may sound tottaly irelivent to you but trust me it is get plenty of excercise and stay well hydrated chemo and cancer makes your blood sticker .ask your cancer nurse or oncologist .about it sorry cant help with chemo advice but sometimes the simplests of advice can be so important absolute hygene and keep away from sick people and crowds you immune system will be way down . Hope all goes well for you .p

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    Hi Paulus, 

    Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated as all this is new to me.

    Regards, 

    Shaggie

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    Hi Shaggie,

    Sorry my advice doesn't come from having tried either of those treatments, rather it's me pleading with you to go for the treatment that is most likely to rid you of the cancer.  I know a lot of people are very attached to their hair (you can see my natural hair in my profile pic taken just weeks ago, I'm now bald) but it does grow back.  What use is our hair without a living body for it to be attached to?

    As it's summer I am particualrly enjoying having a cool, bald head at night-time (it's helping me sleep).  I've also got a non-real hair wig that is fantastic, despite me having little option due to my colouring.  Not having to straighten my hair each day is proving to be a bonus and I'm contemplating getting a second style just for fun.  I wear headscarves a lot, have started making my own, and like the freedom it gives me.

    I do honestly understand that it can be very emotionally difficult for some people when it comes to losing their hair, but please go all out to kick the cancer, that's what I want for you anyway.

    All the best, LJx

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