Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair
Comments
-
Anniemomofthree: yes, there is "back to normal", whatever that is! In my case, "normal" is uber-curly for the time being. I need to learn to post a picture so you can compare my current hair to that of my avatar pre-chemo hair. I get so many compliments, I'll probably be a little sad when it goes back to normal as it grows out. Good for you for thoroughly enjoying the warm water and complete hair treatment!
DebRox: Right on, about the importance and staying power of the new relationships that emerge through all this. They far outweigh the unexpected 'loss' of age-old friends who I assumed would be by my side. It sounds trite and cliche, but I have gained so much more from the beautiful people who have stepped up to be by my side.
For those with rashes: Please report any and all SEs to your nurses, including these rashes. If the rash turns out to be shingles, for example, it is contagious (second generation herpes zoster, i.e. chicken pox) and can be spread to others. Shingles needs to be treated with antibiotics, but the pain also needs to be arrested immediately as the nerves have "pain pathways" which have memory.
Cheers,
Susan
0 -
Susan,
You make such great points.
My doctor did not call me in to check out my rash. It started coming out late Thursday night. It is now looking so much better but I was in bed for three days. Prior to this set back I had not been experiencing any side effects. Since this experience, I have learned that many women develop rashes on their third round of tax around day 8. Some of the doctors will not acknowledge that the rash is from the chemo and wash their hands of it. It reminds me of when my oncologist said the caps wouldn't work. What the medical field does not take into consideration, is that women with BC can use the internet to communicate with other women with the exact same problems. I am grateful that I don't have to suffer alone.
Diana
0 -
I'm thinking of pretty-ing up my face while my hair grows in. I've lost so much, that it would be nice to at least look at a less old version of myself. Did anyone else do botox or restylane after chemo? I know i don't need to feel vain around you gals. This all about looking and feeling good. oh - and controlling what i can. Kind of like keeping our hair! Thoughts anyone?
0 -
Hello ladies, I completed my chemo last week on thursday with head full of hair yiippeeee!!! even though my hair is super short at the back and long at the front, the front is long enough to cover the short back hair so i normally pull a pony tail and it looks normal. My MO was soo excited that i finished chemo with a head full of hair, she could not stop hugging me, and she said "and now i believe!!" Even though i had the hair disaster at the begining i am so glad i used the caps and would recommend it to any woman going through chemo. I am now moving to the PFC side... will probably start my RADS in Oct.
Othere than that, i am not feeling too happy, there is a girl i know who had BC abt 8 yrs ago, she went thru chemo then conceived then had to stop the chemo to have the baby, not sure if she went back to continue with chemo or not...cancer came back rapidly and as we speak she is in critical condition, they are jsut waiting for the time, i am so sad for her, i pray for her to go without pain. She has 2 kids 7 & 2. BC Sucks and i will do all that i can to fight it and live a long life to take care of my kids and be there for them!!
thanks for listening.
0 -
Congrats Snoopy on finishing chemo. HOORAY!!!! Sorry to hear about your friend. So sad!!!
Yeah Annie. How wonderful!
What is everyone here who has finished chemo and rads doing for follow-up? My breast surgeon says no mammo, or any checks on the affected breast for 12-18 months BUT my onco says that doesn't sound right and it needs to have the routine yearly exams. ??? Very confusing!
Thanks, Arlene
0 -
I just had a mammo and an MRI 2 weeks after finishing chemo and before starting radiation because they didn't get clean margins. The bottom line is that both showed abnormalities, the MRI showed something significant. My surgeon said it is either scar tissue or more tumor. I will have a biopsy in a week and then know 4-5 days later. I'm really anxious.
Don't wait to get checked when you are done with treatment! Insist on having a mammogram when you are done.
BTW, I still have tons of hair! My eyebrows are getting a little thin and I am putting latisse on them in addition to my eyelashes. I have lost a little of my eyelashes but not bad. I highly recommend using latisse.
0 -
Momof4girls - Did you have a lumpectomy?
0 -
yes I had a lumpectomy and my nodes were negative. I knew I had to have minor surgery to get clean margins but now I have the possibility of getting a double mastectomy. At least I have time to get used to the idea.
Does anyone know if you have to have chemo and radiation after a mastectomy? I can't imagine going through it again but I would absolutely use the caps again!
0 -
momof4girls-i know 95% don't do rads after a mastectomy, and I would think you would not have to do chemo since chemo is to kill those fair reaching cancer cell, Mets so to speak
0 -
momof4girls: I hope your test comes back clean and they are only looking at scar tissue. To tell the truth my breast feels a mess inside, a lot of lumps and scar tissue as so much tissue was extracted and then remaining tissue reorganized.
I my uneducated opinion would agree with dexxy that you wouldnt need to do chemo again as its purpose is to prevent distant recurrance.
Women who have an mx that require rads are node positive women, which you are not, or if the tumor is close to the chest wall.
Wishing you a clean biopsy, my heart goes out to you going through this again. Take care.
0 -
Momof4girls, I'll keep my fingers and toeds crossed for you to have clean results.
I just changed my avatar to the Penguin Power t-shirts I just made. I can't seem to upload them onto the discussion board. I'll e-mail them to someone to post. Help! Julia
0 -
Darn, but the avatar image is too small to read. It says "I kept my hair during chemo! (Ask me how)
Under the little penguin it says Penguin Power
0 -
Mommaof4 - pray that they are scar tissues. (((((((hugs))))))).
0 -
thanks for all the hugs and good wishes!
and Julia1969 - I love the t-shirt!
0 -
momof4girls: All my thoughts are with you and fingers are crossed that this is scar tissue, which is a very distinct possibility. PM me if you want the name of my surgeon for a second opinion, if it gets to that point. xo
Susan
0 -
soccergirl
I totally agree that this could be made clear by doctors and thereby help us to avoid letting it go so long before we 'discover' on our own that we have it! I was telling someone that the other day- if I had known what to look for, instead of assumong all these other possibilities, I would have suffered a lot less.
I am upset about that. Yes, the pain is horrid. It sounds like you have a bigger patch than I do and I can hardly stand it. No joke. I cannot use my arm becasue it is on my shoulder, cannot sleep well, cannot drive due to movement and seat belet restrictions, and it hurts even when I am not moving. ARG!!!!
I wish us both well and speedy recovery. Enough already!
0 -
Does anyone know where I can get latisse in australia?
0 -
Hi ladies,
Since last week I being using "SmartLash-eyelash enhancer" 4.8ml/.16 Fl Oz. from IQ Derma. I got it from the internet, from Dermstore. From $125, I got it at $29.99. They have a coupon or you can call directly, it takes only 2 days to arrive via UPS. I have a friend that use it and has long and a lot of lashes. I haven't lost all my lashes but I have few. I already have a lot growing and I think in one more week I will be fine, since the one that I have now are half way from my originals lashes.
This friday, I' ll be 12 weeks PFC, my shedding has slow down a lot. I think soon it will stop. I am washing my hair twice a week. I got the flakes like 2 weeks ago. I am waiting for my hair to be strong, so I can used extension.
Sorry, for all the ladies that are having skin problems. I know how difficult is that. Years ago I had chronic urticaria(hives) and I understand your pain.
Blessing to alll,
Tiki0 -
Dichloroacetate (DCA) - Cure for Cancer ? - YouTube
check this out!!!
0 -
Elizabeth that is great! I think it is possible to see a cure for breast cancer in the future.
Tiki: are you doing permanent hair extensions? How much hair did you lose during this process? You think smart lash is better than Lattise?
Mom of 4 girls: I hope your test results come back caner free! Did you have lumpectomy before chemo?
0 -
Julia: I love the Tshirt
0 -
Soccergirl- i think I lost 60% of my hair, my hair is thin but I never had a bald spot. I lost hair by my ears and the nape of the neck, but I already have 2-4 inches long in those areas. My hair is growing fast. I am shaving my legs every other day.
I am planning to buy clips extensions, I know I will use it for a short period of time. I am waiting to have 20 weeks PFC so my hair is stronger to hold hair extensions.
I don't know if smartlashes are better than Latisse, but I think it doesn't have the side effects that Latisse has, and since it worked for my friend, I decided to try it. It will post my progress and let you know how many weeks it took for my lashes to grow to normal lenght.
Blessings,
Tiki0 -
Momof4: Sorry to hear about your stresses with the MRI, etc. and hope it comes back negative. Maybe what my breast surgeon was teling me about not having a mammo or MRI on the affected breast is right but I did have clear margins so understand why they are doing your tests and I pray that it comes out negative.
Just passed 14 weeks PFC and my hair is so funny. I look like I had one of those punk haircuts where you leave a ponytail and shave underneath since I have so much new hair coming in at the nape of my neck. LOTS of new hair around the ears and it is so funny with all the curlies there but I am so happy that I never got a bald spot or needed a wig or scarf. Shedding still slowing down but I think I may lose that little pony tail.
Still haven't lost my eyebrows or lashes and thinking, hoping I am past the point of losing them.
Mom: Please keep us us posted. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Arlene
0 -
Can anyone tell me what thermometer they used with the caps and where they bought it?
Also was wondering how you best protected your ears?
0 -
I got an infrared thermometer from Sears. I used panty liners cut into small pieces on my ears and extra thick moleskin for forehead and temples.
0 -
can you reccommend a thermometer/where to buy?
0 -
sorry do you have the model number or the posted range of the thermometer? not sure how low the reading is needed
0 -
I wish I could look fo your. We just recently moved and some of our stuff is in storage...the thermometer is in storage. I know people have discussed it on this thread but since there are pages and pages, try the search function. Search for thermometer and see if you can find the information. My DH went out and got it so I don't know which kind it was. I believe some people bought Craftsman.....can anyone offer more information to help her??
0 -
My DH bought the thermo from Sears... am not home so i cant give you the brand etc.. when i get home i will find it and will provide the info. But its infrared thermo.
On a separate note:-) I have 2 Igloo big coolers & Infra-Red Thermometer & gloves if anyone is in the Boston, MA area and would like to borrow. I live in the North Shore.
Thanks
0 -
Re:thermometer....key you need is one that goes to -40C and infrared. It cost about $70 at Sears. Some bought off the Internet if you have time. Will see if I can find brand and model#.
0
