Hi Tracey, I gave just read your post about you kept your hair after 6 cycles of fec, how fantastic! I had my first fec 9 days ago with another 5 to go and everything I read implies that if you have all fec then you won't keep your hair even with the coldcap which has made me feel so disheartened as like so many others it is a huge deal to me losing my hair I am terrified ...any tips please? Many thanks xxxx
Hi Natalie, great to be over the chemo, but have reconstruction and radiotherapy to go, so should be done by end of July!! this all started in September 2014 so I'm getting pretty bored of it, how about you?
Lovely post Nattyoo. Ii am now 2 weeks post chemo, I managed 14 cold caps in total (3 x 3 weekly FEC and 11 x weekly Paclitaxol). So glad my Friday appointment with the freezer has stopped! But like you I have a good head of hair, if you don't know me you wouldn't know what I'm been through. It's pretty thin and on top is short where hair just snapped off, but I have a good covering of a short bob and it's all mine!
Somehow I still also have eyebrows and eyelashes, although my lower bottom lids only have 4-5 hairs each. Eyebrows have thinned and are much lighter in colour - I think all my coloured hair has fallen out and the grey has remained. Good luck to all, it's worth it if you can tolerate it x
Hi Fatpud - I am having 6 x Taxotere, herceptin and pertumzmab and had Round 4 on Wednesday. I have used the cold cap and am really pleased with the result so far. I keep my hair short normally and have retained most of it although it has thinned.I bought some "fill-in" powder which I brush on to shade in a th couple of thinning patches, especially the side-burns and it looks fine to go out. Wash it once a week or if going somewhere special. Lost all of mine 5 years ago and was very keen to try to keep it this time.
I lost the most the first time and a little less the second. Now it only a little more than normal. Try not to give up if it starts shedding because it does seem to slow down a lot.
I too take a couple of paracetamol an hour before the cap goes on and have a towelling band around my hairline and try to drink lots of hot drinks and do not feel too bad.
Good luck to all those using the cold cap - hope it works for you. Marli x
That sounds great BMM, somewhere around day 14-17 was when I lost what I lost after the first round of FEC. That was back in November and I still have a full(ish) head of hair! It's a bit thin and limp but I have a full covering (probably lost a third to half of the weight and some bits broke off so my bob has some 2 inch bits on top!). I didn't lose any after 2nd or 3rd FEC and am now half way through weekly taxol. I've got my wig for high days and holidays as I keep my thin hair in a boring ponytail/bun on other days.
Tinkerbell, you're over the worst now for SEs (as far as I had on FEC anyway) hope the hair stays put. Don't despair if you lose some over the next week or so. Keep going, it's worth it. x
Hello BMM
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June, moderator
Morning ladies. Day 7 after 3rd Taxotere and using cold cap . Still have a lot of hair although sideburns disappeared after 1st round. Slightly thin in one place to side of top of head.I have always had short hair and had it cut a little shorter to ensure good contact with the cold cap. Seemed to shed a lot the first 2 rounds but this time it has slowed down. I am very pleased I am using the cold cap and will continue for the next 3 sessions.
I am using a brown powder to fill in sideburns and the top of head. I bought it from Amazon and it was only £5.99 -it comes in a compact with a brush and is available in different colours and must say I am happy with it. Also take my usual hair, nail and skin supplement from Tesco with the permission of my onc. in the hope of quicker return to normal after chemo finishes.
In awe of all you ladies coping with this and children. Give yourselves a big pat on the back. lol. Marli x
I bought 2l bottles to make sure I had at least that much daily, for first 3-4 days. Tbh I felt constantly thirsty so it was easy to drink loads! Chemo meds made my blood pressure really low so for me fluids and salt were essential.