Forum Discussion
Ice Caps to prevent hair loss
Are you worried about losing your hair during chemo treatments? For me keeping my hair was very important. I am a private person and the thought of people seeing me hairless felt very intimidating an...
Hi Arpie
I am not really good at this computer stuff so i am not surprised that you could not see the photo - I will try again if anyone wants to know what the ice caps look like.
I had HER2+ breast cancer (DCIS). It is quite aggressive but i got onto it early and I hardly think about it any more. This was in 2022. After my right breast was removed i was given weekly chemo (paclitaxel) for 12 weeks followed by herceptin injections for another 9 months.
I would really like to share my ice caps experience with anyone who might like to consider going down this track. I can't guarantee it will work for them but it certainly worked for me and if i ever have to have chemo again i would definitely use them again. The hardest part was freezing them into the right shape, but I mastered it in the end. Very happy to answer any questions. I would never have known about ice caps if someone had not shared their experience with me, and I am so grateful they did!.
Thanks Rhonnie ... so you were Triple Positive? We have a private group for those with Triple Positive, if you'd like to join ... but your message re the Ice Caps is just as important for ALL types of Breast Cancer & those going thru chemo.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/triplepositivebreastcancer
Did you purchase your own ice caps, or did you use ones thru your Oncology Centre? It sounds like you 'froze them' at home (getting the shape 'right' for your own skull). .... which sounds quite interesting!! I am sure others would love to know how you did all that! 'Cos heads AREN'T 'round' ....
Instead of a pic, you could just put up the weblink showing it (click on the 'chain looking thing' to the left of the 'camera' and paste the link in) and then members can check it all out!
Take care & all the best
Hi Arpie
Was I Triple Positive? Is that what 2+ means? I did not realize there was more than one form of cancer until I got it!
Yes, I purchased my own ice caps. The ice caps have a big advantage over the cooling machines provided at some hospitals, in that you are not restricted to starting at a certain time, and you can move around (and go to the toilet) without taking them off. However, they certainly require quite a lot of preparation and a fair amount of freezer space. But so worth the effort if you have time and really want to save your hair.