First Chemo

Hi Loz,I have done the cold cap and did the 6 rounds of AC at 3 weekly intervals and just did the 7th of 12 Paclitaxol today.I found my hair still fell out gradually and probably lost   50%.I found I had thin areas particularly on top .ifyou work with it and comb the right way you can get away with it.I bought some stylish headbands that just helped a bit.It is not for everyone and there were a number of times I nearly gave it away.It gets a little easier with the Paclitaxol as I didn't feel as cold.I also borrowed one of those plug in blankets that kept me warm.on the bright side my hair has started to grow back with this second stage of chemo so loving feeling those baby hairs!??????

Hi Loz, a friend of mine used the cooling cap, and her hair thinned a bit. She had to do a little bit of a comb over but not too shabby really.

my hair fell out 2 weeks to the day after my first chemo. Lost most of it, except a few tuft you bits that my husband clipped short for me. Then it gradually fell out, however I lost everything, including eyebrows, eyelashes and just everywhere.

Im now 6 months after my last chemo, and my hair is all back except for the underarms. My head hair is dark with a few greys, and about a number 4 clipper length. I've worn wigs right through the process, and now don't need one, as there is enough coverage on my head. Hope that helps, and that you don't get much hair loss. 

Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ????????

Hi Loz, I started losing clumps at day 20, and by day 23 I was fed up so shaved it all off, it was emotional but necessary. 

The thing that got me through was the knowledge it would grow back, it did, and in between I wore nice hats and a wig..... Scarves etc didn't suit me.  

One day my husband told me that I didn't need to wear anything if I didn't want to- it was just my skull, not a festering abscess , and I never looked back after that!

Remember you are not alone, and as hard as it is, you have many pink sisters travelling the same road.

Do attend a Look Good Feeling Better session if you possibly can, your self esteem will be enhanced and you will meet others experiencing similar.

Chin up, lippy on, love xx Mandy

Hi Loz. I had 4 x fortnightly doses of AC followed by 12 x weekly taxol. My hair fell out in clumps in the shower on day 15 after my first AC (my 2nd dose was delayed a week due to neutropenia). I went straight to the hair dresser & got a number 2. I didn't lose my eye brows & lashes until the last couple of weeks of taxol so they hung in there a long time! All gone now though which I'm hating. I'm glad to hear your first dose was tolerable & hope you cope ok with the remainder of your treatment.

Hi, glad to hear you are feeling good after your first chemo, I  too am doing good caps but I have lost a lot of hair. It started to fall out the weekend before my second chemo (which I have every 3 weeks) it came out in strands, then clumps! Good news is using cold caps makes your hair grow back quicker...good luck with your treatment x

Hi My daughter was really tired after her chemo too (the chemo unit she goes to dosent have the cap :(  )  she started to loose her hair about 21/2 weeks after chemo  in strands to start with (it was everywhere uggg )then in clumps that when she decided to just shave it off it was distressing to have bald spots  :(  

Because it is the silly season please be careful with loads of people and germs, my daughter ended up in hospital at about 21/2 weeks after her first chemo make hand sanitizer your very best friend. sanitize every thing and everybody (friends and family will do it to keep you safe and home )

Cheers Sue 

Merry Christmas xx

Hi there,

i can't comment on the cold cap or the chemo you are having because I didn't have either of these. I hope you are one of the lucky few who has minimal side effects from chemo. Karen xox

Great to hear that your 1st chemo went well.... I too had the same side effects as you but unfortunately for me when I was due for my 2nd AC on 23/12 my neutrophils went down to 0 and ended up in hospital. 

I tried the cold cap and decided not to go ahead with it.