scared

[xwelcomex]

I had 8 lots of high dose chemo (FEC 100 then Tax) and used a Paxman cold cap throughout to save my hair. I have thick, long hair and kept 90% of it thanks to the cold cap. You'd honestly never know I'd had chemo if I hadn't lost my eyebrows...that said, I finished 6 weeks ago and they are now coming back.

http://www.paxman-coolers.co.uk - don't know which hospital you are at but most have at least one.

Do ask me for tips if you decide to use it...I am the Cold Cap Queen lol. There are definitely some do's and don'ts f you want to maximise your chances of it working, as I'm sure others who've had success will agree.
x

[poppy333]

thanx suzanne,
nice to know it can be done, i sure i can get through it, well e have to dont we. xx

[Guest user]

Hi Poppy and Scaredy - welcome to the club no-one wants to join! I'm a bit of an old hand now, eighteen months since diagnosis and doing great - but I well remember the terror of those first weeks. A lot of people on here will tell you that once you have actually started treatment, it seems better - you feel as if you're fighting back, regaining a bit of control.
When you're in treatment, don't forget that you're allowed to be a wimp and a hypochondriac - tell the nurses about every problem. They have a lot of stuff now to counteract the ill-effects - anti-nausea drugs, stuff to keep your white blood-count up etc. And it's also allowed to kick back and put your feet up - not easy for those lasses with young children, I know, but you are going to be TIRED.
But it's do-able. And with so many new treatments coming along all the time, the survival rates are getting better and better.

[Guest user]

Hi Poppy
I'm really new to the forum and this is my first comment. I saw you are just a bit further on from me (I go for my treatment plan on Tues 19th)so I wish you all the best love scardylady

[alexc23]

Poppy

All the best for tomorrow, take it as it comes everyone is different. Have you considered cold cap? I had 3FEC / 3Tax and kept most of my hair, although it did thin out, it meant that I could wear hats and nobody could tell. It doesnt suit everyone but worth thinking about. Love n best wishes, Alx

[Guest user]

Hi Poppy

It's natural to feel scared, try not to beat yourself up over it, once you get going with your treatment plan it will all fit into place. Of course losing your hair is a massive step, but for me when I did it was almost a relief, I'm due to start Chemo again as I've had a recurrance and although my hair isn't that long I have got used to having it again, but I keep reminding myself of how quickly it came back last time and as the winter months are approaching wearing hats will be a staple part of my wardrobe. A little tip if you want a variation on scarves go for 'Buffs' for me they were much more comfortable and sat well under hats, you can get them on line or your local headstrong shop should stock them.

Feel free to PM me if you would like any further info.

Claire xx

[poppy333]

hey guys,
have first appointment with my oncologist tommorow, and for some reason ive woke up really scared and upset. uptill now ive been really calm, well very upset about my hair, but ok about everythink.

for me tommorow is the start of a long pink road, and its unknown and im really scared.