Hello,
I've had 3 x FEC and 1x Docetaxol and am due my next dose this week.
I have used the cold cap and still have a head of hair. People wouldnt know I'm having chemo.
It has thinned considerably and at times I can run my fingers through and it seems at though I have a full hand of hair. I have short hair but with long layers and with a bit of fluffing up it looks normal. I wash it once a week or so, use a mild shampoo and only comb it with a wide toothed comb if I'm going out. I am not working so don't have the pressure of having to keep my hair looking good on a day to day basis. Some days it looks pretty bad!
For me, the benefits of having hair have been significant. I don't think I'm a vain person, but it has kept me feeling like me, and has kept my spirits up. After the first week of feeling grotty and not going out, I make a determined effort to make the most of the two weeks before the next treatment. On day 8 or 9, I get dressed, put make up on and go and meet friends for coffee. My friends know I'm having chemo, but when I'm out, no one would guess. I feel a bit vulnerable being out alone sometimes, especially if I'm feeling emotional,and having hair and looking 'my normal self' helps me feel anonymous.
At home, when the makeup is off and I'm in my pyjamas, and the reality of bc and chemo come back (sometimes, it seems as though it's all my husband and I have talked about for the past 4 months) I know that if I didn't have hair, I'd feel the reminder of the bc and treatment would face me every time I look in the mirror.
I guess, having my hair helps me forget For a time between treatments.
I take a strong painkiller half an hour before chemo and haven't felt too much discomfort. I suck lollies to help my mouth and take icecubes in a flask and hold them in tissues on my eyebrows a bit. Cold capping my brows! I still have my brows and eyelashes although they thinned after chemo 4.
I know the cold cap isn't for everyone, I'm sure it makes me feel sick at the thought of hospital and strangely I feel sick when I take anything out of the freezer, but it hasn't been too bad. My bcn is extremely well organised and takes time to fit it properly etc and makes sure I get lunch after treatment during the extra 1.5 hours I have to sit with it on.
We are all on such individual paths with our treatment and we need to prioritise what's important for ourselves. One of my main worries with diagnosis and treatment was that I would fall into a depression and feeling positive has been my main focus throughout. I guess trying to keep my hair has helped with this.
Good luck everyone. Very best wishes.
