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Rhonnie's avatar
Rhonnie
Member
2 months ago

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 and public. I wanted to choose who I would like to tell I had breast cancer and not just be on display everywhere I went for everyone and anyone to diagnose. I decided to give ice caps a try and it was absolutely successful. Keeping my hair gave me a sense of control over the chemotherapy and its nasty side effects.  For me it became an uplifting and very positive experience, giving me something satisfying to focus on, instead of on the cancer.

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cold-cap
hair-loss
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6 Replies

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 months ago

    Thanks for that Rhonnie​ .... did you continue wearing the ice cap when you were at home too (rather than just at the Oncology Unit?)  Do you think that is what helped you keep your hair so well?   A Terrific result, by the way!  

    ....Was I Triple Positive? .... 
    I was Oestrogen+ & Progesterone+ but I was Her2- ..... 
    If all three show on your pathology as '+' then I believe you would be Triple Positive.

    Check out this post re Triple Positive
    ❔ TPBC/TNBC what does it all mean? | BCNA Online Network

    • Rhonnie's avatar
      Rhonnie
      Member
      2 months ago

      I put the ice  cap on one hour before the chemo began and left it on roughly an hour afterwards. I had 5 caps and swapped to a new one every hour. All I can say is that it worked for me 100%. The lady who recommended it to me lost about 20% of her hair but i don't know if she put them on before and afterwards as well. Also, my husband was there for the swap over which was good as it meant my head did not get time to warm up!

      Thanks for the other info. I will check it out.

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 months ago

    Hi Rhonnie​ 

    Welcome to the group - That is terrific that the cold cap worked so well for you xx.  I was lucky & didn't need chemo.  I couldn't see the pic.

    So you've already had your surgery?  Feel free to fill us in on your story so far. xx

    It's good that you've found us, as this is the right spot for support & info from those who've 'been there, done that'! So hopefully we'll be able to smooth the way for your own treatment.  Whack up ANY question - remember there are NO dumb questions!!!  Make sure you take a trusted friend or family member with you to your appointments, as a 'backup set of ears', as it is difficult remembering everything that is said.  Also, consider recording your sessions on your phone, so you can go over it again later, for the same reason. 😉

    Mine was ILC - I was lucky to only have the one lumpectomy, rads & tablets .... and have recently finished with the tabs after 7 years!

    This diagnosis can really muck with your brain too - so if you feel sad, angry, distressed .... ask your GP (or your treating team) for a referral to see a counsellor .... or listen to Charlotte Tottman's podcast (link below).  You can also ring our Helpline on 1800 500 258 for a confidential one-on-one chat xx    

    Charlotte Tottman  is a BC specialist counsellor who was diagnosed herself, also had a double mastectomy, so knows EXACTLY what we've all been thru, both emotionally and physically!  Her own reaction to her diagnosis was also quite different to what she 'thought' it might be, given that she'd been counseling women's reactions for some years before, so thought she 'new' what to expect!  She is VERY easy to listen to, too xx
    http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html. 

    Raelene Boyle's video is also well worth watching! 
    https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/podcasts/upfront-about-breast-cancer/upfront-about-breast-cancer/episode-21-raelene-boyle-on-pulling-herself-out-of-the-darkness/

    There is HEAPS of info in the link below to help you navigate the blog and also some tools to evaluate your own physical and mental recovery thru your ongoing treatment! xx.
    You can show us your garden, your pets, your art/craft, share your favourite recipes ..... as we delight in seeing everyone else is up to!  xx

    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/general-discussion/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members-/222737

    Take care & all the best for your ongoing treatment xx

     

    • Rhonnie's avatar
      Rhonnie
      Member
      2 months ago

      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!. 

      • arpie's avatar
        arpie
        Member
        2 months ago

        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