Chemo and Cold Cap

This is my first time posting to any forum ever. Nothing has ever prepared me for a breast cancer diagnosis and some days, I find it really hard to cope with. 
 

My cancer is triple negative which brings its own challenges. I've had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy and next week is my first chemotherapy appointment. 
 

I am already sick of hospital appointments and there are so many more to come. The things I had planned for this year did not include choosing wigs and preparing for chemo. It's so overwhelming. 
 

I am sitting here trying to research my chemo drugs and how they will impact me. I am having FEC for 3 sessions every 3 weeks and then Paclitaxel for 9 weekly sessions. Has anyone taken the same combination and used the cold cap? Please could you advise how effective it was in preventing hair loss. Thank you. 

  • Hi I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer in January 2019 one minute your feeling fine and the next, wham, your world is turned upside down and inside out all following a routine mammogram. Great plans for my 60th were well and truly scuppered .  Yes the trips to hospital will seem never ending but all for the good.  I had 12 sessions of paclitaxol and have just finished 1 year of Herceptin injections.  The chemo made me very tired but thankfully I didn't suffer with any sickness.  I used the cold cap throughout though it does prolong your stay as it requires to be on at least 30 mins before they put it on then another 45 minutes after the chemo has finished.  Conditioner is a must as it helps the cap to go on more easily .  I personally did not find it easy but persevered and I think I probably lost about 20% of my hair though if I had to go through it again I don't think I would as there are some fab wigs and hats out there.  I only very gently washed it twice a week, let it dry naturally and don't use any hairdryer or straighteners.  I also had it cut into a bob and shorter than I would normally have it.  Wishing you the best and a big hug, you can do this xx

     

  • Thank you...it's very useful learning about people's real experiences. Good luck to your daughter. x

  • Thank you for sharing your experience. Good luck to you. x

  • I was officially told I have to have chemo. Don't know what drugs or number of cycles. I was told I had a dcis last october. After 2 lumpectomys I was advised to have a single mastectomy. The precancer margins were the reason. I had a mastectomy and natural reconstruction. They did a sentinel lymph node biopsies. Out of the 2, one had micrnet of invasive cancer cells. They have now advised me to have chemo and radiotherapy as a preventative treatment. Nervous is an understatement. Cold cap is something I don't know whether to explore

    I have my sisters wedding beginning of may. 

  • I also have my niece's wedding in May but realistically I know I won't be able to attend. Chemo does sound very scary...I am also nervous. Good luck with your journey. x