Hi, I have just had a wirlwind 3 week tour of being diagnosed with BC. Sorry, I still can't say the word. I had my lump out last week and pathology back today - it's happened amazingly fast (private health fund). Only 3 lymphs out - no cancer in lymph nodes stage 1 grade 3 so they want to go back into clear the margins on Monday - small op.on scar already healing. then have recommended 4 mths chemo then radiation. Very scared, trying to wrap my head around everything. Doctors says I will be ok, but seeing how scared my husbnd is and how he is handling it hurts. Any suggestions to get me through chemo? I was also thinking cold caps as a I have long hair which is devasting.

It's so hard to watch our loved ones hurting. As Marg put it, chemo is a tough gig but it is doable. There are lots of preventative tips to ease some of side effects, I recommend being proactive instead of reactive, it really does help. I lost my hair which at the time was difficult, but now 7 months after chemo, looking back, that was the least of my worries. I also got a wig from the library and I became very adept with scarves. Some of the ladies on her have made mention of the cold caps, I'm sure they can advise you, all the best and keep in touch, Hazel xx

thankyou marg and hazel. not sure what the wig library is. this is all new to me lizzie x

our hospital has a "library" of wigs that they lend out to you (borrow period is as long as you need) - mine was brand new and cost me nothing. I just have to return it once I am finished. I don't wear it that often, scarves/turbans more comfortable - but its great to have for special occassions. not sure about the cool caps - maybe some others can answer this. good luck Marg xx

hi shat. not sure where you are situated, but im in penrith nsw so finding a place that does cool caps will be a challenge. i dont know my chemo reime yet (monday) but it is suggested 4 mths so not sure how many rounds that is. my hair is very long thick curly down to my bra strap. thought of cutting it to shoulders then giving cool caps a go. have to find smoewhere that does this. but your experience isencouraging lizzie x

I know what you mean about watching those close to you struggle with all this. I think in many ways it is tougher for them because they feel so helpless. My husband and I spent a lot of time talking and I think being honest with each other helped. We both wanted to shield each other but it worked better for us when we were completely open about things. You do get through this (I had chemo and radio too) but you need support. My family, friends and this network got me through things. I had very thick shoulder length hair. I had it cut short before chemo started and my husband and daughters shaved it on day 14 after my first chemo when it started falling out by the handful. It was sad but for me it was minor in the scheme of things and I have since discovered that short hair is very liberating (I am not spending lots of time blow drying it!). I did use cold mits to prevent damage to nerves and fingernails. These were uncomfortable but definitely seemed to work. My chemo was in winter and I just could not have dealt with having cold caps on. Good luck with everything. Deanne xxx

Yep... I became a statistic! | BCNA Online Network

JessicaV
Member
11 years ago
Hi,

When I was researching coldcaps, I read that some chemo regimes will make most of your hair fall out even with a coldcap, so you may want to check to see what the story is with your particular chemo regime. And for some people having to put up with the intensive "icecream headache" for a number of hours is worse than losing their hair.

If you want to continue to have lovely hair, you may find it worthwhile to look at a few other options and maybe set a Plan B in action .

One is to buy a wig that is just like your normal hair. Another option that sounds like it could be great for you is to get your real hair made into a wig, or into a half-wig attached to a hat or a scarf if you want something cooler, so you continue to have your own hair and it is not nearly as hot as a wig. One:

http://www.360-hair.com/makewigfromownhair.html

is listed with Cancer Canada because they have teamed up with Cancer Canada to make wigs with yr own hair. There are several places that do this, some faster and cheaper than others.

Perhaps to be realistic you might choose to do both.

I opted to lose my hair and am really enjoy growing it back now the Docetaxol treatment is finished. I bought a marilyn Munro wig and found it fun going around as a blonde!

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/cold-caps is a good webpage with the following to say about coldcaps:

It’s also important to know that cold caps don’t work for everyone. In two small European studies, cold caps were considered effective in about 50% of the women that used them. Women who got only anthracycline chemotherapy had better results with cold caps than women who got only taxane chemotherapy.

Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin), Ellence (chemical name: epirubicin), and daunorubicin are anthracyclines.

Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel), Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel), and Abraxane (chemical name: albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel) are taxanes.

Women who got both an anthracycline and a taxane in their chemotherapy regimen (combination chemotherapy) seem to have the worst results with cold caps, though some of them still kept some of their hair.

If you’re interested in trying cold caps, talk to your doctor about all the factors that need to be taken into account, including your chemotherapy regimen and any other health issues you may have.
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
I have been told by the nurses that do the chemo that to use this cold cap I have to have my hair cut fairly short so the cap can cover it so that's what I'll do, guess the caps may vary? Nice to hear it's working for you and I've heard many positive stories regarding the caps so that's great! Maybe just one thing I might have a bit of control over in this whole process. Less than 2 weeks now till I start 6 months of chemo so a little scared!
5girls
Member
11 years ago
Hi Miss Lizzie,

Yes it is a shock and so much info to take in.I had nearly the same diagnosis as you, I had a small 2cm Ductual Tumor that had infiltrated the duct at 9 Oclock ,I(I always laugh at that description ) and small insitu carcenoma outside (which means it had just started but hadn't infiltrated the duct ,apparently not one to worry about.) My lumpectomy scar looks great,As I'm really fond of my boobs my surgeon suggested he move some fat around so I wouldn't beleft with a dent in my breast,It does look great.I felt so well during post opp I only took 2 weeks off work. 30 days Radiation plus 4 boosts and my skin only had a slight rash , Underarm a bit sore due to friction.I used the Solugel, and Calendula by Herbal Creams.I have Used Bio Oil 2 x daily since finishing Rads 2 months ago and both scars have almost faded to nothing.I have been on Arimidex for 3 months with no Side effects.9Lots of Calcium ,Vit D and Krill Oil) I decided early on not to be defined by this diagnosis.I have treated it as I would any other illness,now my treatment is finished (apart from the hormones and yearly checkups when I'll give it 24hrs thought Lol )I take my meds and just forget about it,I have a life to live.!!

Best of Luck
shat
Member
11 years ago
Hi Dragon lover

I am currently doing cold caps and my hair is passed my shoulders. It doesnt make a difference because you just leave your hair hanging down. (that's with the penguin cold caps)..hope this helps. ps I still have most of my hair after 3 treatments :)

shat
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
You girls on here are so much stronger than I am yet, still early days for me but I am trying! Your life is changed so much and so quickly when this happens it's hard to accept all the things that are now out of your control. I am aiming to get better and the thought of maybe not losing my hair is something for me to grab on to right now. I'll learn to go with whatever happens as you guys have xx
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
I'm fairly new to all this as well diagnosed early October, had a lump in my breast and they found a suspicious lymph node under my arm. These were biopsied and found to be malignant and so I found myself on this crazy ride I couldn't get off! It all happened very quickly after that - surgery the next week to remove lump and 9 lymph nodes, 4 in total were malignant. Didn't quite reach the margins around the lump in the breast so back for more surgery 2 weeks later. Saw an oncologist last week and I will be having 6 months of chemo followed by 6 weeks of radiation therapy. This will start on December 1st. I am going to try the cold cap as I also am scared of having no hair. I've had very long hair as long as I can remember and had it cut to shoulder length 2 days ago. It has to be cut again before treatment so it can all be covered by the cap but I just couldn't do it in one hit! I've read on here by people who have been through chemo that it's the least of your worries but right now it's just one more aspect of you that you have to lose in this process and sometimes it's these little things that break you some days. I'll get past it I know and being part of this site has helped me greatly already. I wish you all the best xx
Hazel_M
Member
11 years ago
Just thought I would pop back in, the library is a free service run by the cancer council. They have lovely ladies who help with fitting, all styles and colours. When you're done you can keep the wig or return it to help others. They are all professionally cleaned and some are new. If you want to, just give them a call, Cheers,

Hazel xx
miss_lizzie
Member
11 years ago
hi 5girls, same diagnosis. except margin wasnt fully clear. still have 4mm from margin. but will query it on monday in my first meeting with oncologist. thankyou. have ductual carcinoma with insitu carcenoma on outside. not sure what this means, but def will ask.

lizzie x
miss_lizzie
Member
11 years ago
thanks margiemoo. will do. no when i finished this im going to expunge the whole episode. put it in a box and leave it there.lol its the only way that i can move forward i think. xxx
margiemoo
Member
11 years ago
try headcovers.com - they have heaps of lovely ones.

yeah I also have thought that some months out of 2014 is not that much to pay for the benefit of putting BC behind me (although it never fully goes away). Its a tough gig but you can do it. Try and remain positive and strong, and stay on here.

Marg xx