Has Anyone Done Chemo and Kept Their Hair?

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PebblesV
PebblesV Member Posts: 658
edited December 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi - I’m brand new to this community, I came across this while doing a lot of research and read some of the forum posts and found them so inspirational and informational and decided to join.

I just leaned the cancer, which was 1.8cm and with margins clear after surgery, was found in the 2 lymph nodes they took out. So while I was hoping chemo would not be needed it seems pretty likely it will be now... I meet with the oncologist on Thursday. Ultimately I will do what needs to be done but I’m so nervous about side effects, impact on the body long term, and studies that’s say chemo may increase risk of a secondary cancer. Also the whole hair loss thing although I know people accept tha with grace and still maintain a sense of self if that’s happens.

I was wondering if anyone has managed chemo with minimal side effects, if anyone managed to not lose their hair, and if so, what you did to minimize the side effects? Or is it pretty much guaranteed that chemo will cause hair loss

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  • Cria
    Cria Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2018

    Hi PebblesV,

    I'm surprised that no one has responded to your post before now! Have you seen the threads on Cold Capping? There is one with a ton of info and one with before, during and after photos from women who have done cold capping. I have finished 12 weeks of weekly Taxol using the Penguin Cold Caps and have had some minor thinning of the hair on my scalp, but not enough for anyone to notice. I just started A/C and those drugs are supposed to be much harsher on the old follicles, so we'll see how it goes. A lot depends on what chemo regimen is being recommended.

    You don't say where you are, but some areas are rich in the newer Dignicap and Paxman scalp cooling systems to try and save hair.


    Check out this site for more info: http://www.rapunzelproject.org/

    http://www.hairtostay.org/

    good luck!

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  • KCMC
    KCMC Member Posts: 208
    edited October 2018

    Here is the link on this site for cold capping, good luck!


    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/...


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  • PebblesV
    PebblesV Member Posts: 658
    edited December 2018

    Cria and KCMC - thank you! I was thinking no one responded because no one was able to avoid that side effect, but glad to see it's happened for some, and I also found this useful thread https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics... that mentioned the Penguin Cold Caps! Cria - congrats on maintaining your hair through the 12 weeks of Taxol, wishing you all the best for that good fortune to continue through the A/C.

    After posting this thread, I received some really good news that due to a low oncotype score I no longer need chemo. I do need hormone therapy (tamoxifen) though so now I'm focused on how I can avoid side effects of that. Always something!

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  • KCMC
    KCMC Member Posts: 208
    edited December 2018

    Pebbles, great news! So happy for you. There is also a ton of info on here about Tamoxifen hopefully you won’t have any issues.


    Monic

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  • softness1
    softness1 Member Posts: 217
    edited December 2018

    I opted for CMF in opposed to ACT because as a single parent I was the only income and I needed to be able to work through out chemo.

    CMF is considered chemo lite for early BC patients. After my BMX, I was NED but my dr suggested that doing chemo would be a little more insurance against a recurrence. It was definitely doable. My hair thinned out a bit.

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