Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair
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u4iachic...I just had my surgery tues. After waiting seven months to be done w chemo and pregnancy. Even though I'm hurting a bit tonight people around me are like...ok surgery done? Onto rads! And I'm like, no, no, no. I just had something major done to myself, I'm losing body parts, (although they weren't that spectacular after four babies) and give me some time to adjust. I didn't just have a haircut.
It's like our support system wants to check things off a list, but the process is much slower and personal than that. I still have to adjust to seeing whats left, how it looks, and feels, how I can move my body.
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Gatomal, exactly right.
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Tripper, it looks good with the part!!!!!!!! Does it always shed from the same place? I am sure it will grow back fast when you start Taxol.
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phc, what chemo did you do again?
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Also, can you wear a wig while doing CC? Sorry for all the QUESTIONS!! : )
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Taxol/carbo. And I don't think it's recommended to wear a wig because of both the friction on the follicles and the heat. But others may see it differently. (If it were toward the end and you had a bald spot or something, it might be a short-term fix.)
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Hi, Tripper4ya.
I think I mentioned this earlier, but I didn't shed at all while on Taxol, so personally, I wouldn't give up now.
Also, with the Penquin cold caps I had to keep the caps on 50 minutes before the chemo and for 5 hours
after chemo was done while on the A/C treatments.
Before stopping the cold caps I would google something like "hair topper" . These toppers can be used when you only have thinning on the top of your head.
I know your not supposed to use wigs, or hair extensions while cold capping, but a topper is basically laying on your scalp.
It's not hanging from your head or hair.
I wonder if you could use something like that.
Just a thought.
Lynda
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Oh, I forgot to mention, I will not even wear my hair in a pony tail if I leave the house.
My pony tail is about 1 inch think. It's upsetting, but I am still WAY ahead of the game.
I'd only have about 1 1/2 of hair if I hadn't used the caps.
I finished chemo on Nov. 7, 2014. So, it hasn't been 6 months yet, but when it is, I am going
to get my hair colored (blonde), and buy some clip in extensions.
I will wear those until my hair looks normal again.
I will say a prayer that you make the right decision for you.
I know how stressful it can be!
All those days of having hundreds of hairs falling out. Ugh :-(
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Tripper, you've got great length!! I've been braiding mine in a loose braid as opposed to a pony tail. Could that work for you in addition to changing the part to the other side? I feel like the braid gives the illusion of more thickness. Or even braided pig-tails? I've been doing that a lot lately, too, if my daughter isn't around to help me. It's kinda fun and makes me feel younger - except that I have grays peeking out ;-)
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Tripper4ya, I didn't think we were supposed to put our hair in a ponytail while on chemo because it can pull on the hair. Like Angiel, I did a loose braid. I would try a soft cotton (or light material) headband to cover the thinning when you're out, then take it off when you're at home. You have too much length to stop now! I know it feels thinner to you, but from the back, you can't tell.
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Tripper4ya- what CC system are you using?
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can you put your hair up? Also, I'm sure this is a no, but what about swimming
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Alibeths - I pull my hair back loosely in clips .... but I've lost a good amount around & in front of my ears so I have to pull it lower to cover the thin & gray areas.
I wouldn't recommend swimming especially with chlorine. I would assume it will dry your hair out more.I finished chemo on 3/12 .... still shedding lightly. Soooo can't wait to color my hair again. It's on my last nerve but .... I still have hair so I guess I can't complain. Enjoy the day, girls. ♡Kim
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Ladies, quick question about lashes/brows. They fell out. Now they're starting to grow back in (imagine a duckling). I have two taxol/carbo treatments to go (tomorrow and in three weeks). Anyone know if they'll just fall right back out again? Do I need to gird my loins for that?
Tripper, I hope you're hanging in. I'm doing magic tricks with my part too. But … the thinning spots elsewhere are beginning to come back in. Just noticed today. Even with the treatments going on. Take care, girl.
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WHat supplies do i need to buy? I will be stating in about 2 weeks. : (
My hospital has a freezer.
Thx girls.
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Alibeths - regarding swimming, a cold capper from a while back swam every day with no ill effects. I can't remember who it was though. I think she used a swim cap. I hope someone else will remember who it was - or she may drop by.
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Thanks!
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Okay I am 6 days PFC. I am showing what I look like washed (ugh) and then filled in with Toppik. I just want some of you to see what if can do for you. When it starts to fill in I will be a head of the game.
Washed with some fibers left due to not scrubbing.
Filled in but grayyyyyyyyy
Front view
Please know it is very thin but I still have it. Also i may shedone more time since I had treatment 4 last week. I am going to cut it up to my shoulders later in the month just to even it out!
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Wow, the Toppik fibers are amazing!
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U4ia--Congratulaions for finishing chemo!! You look amazing! You have a ton of hair and your skin and eyebrows look seriously great. I'm with you on the greys...I can't wait to get 'em covered! My last treatment is Thursday (yea!). I saw my MO today for my pretreatment check and he finally said those four little words that I've been practically begging him to say these past two months: Your hair looks great. It was so satisfying since every time I would mention my hair to him before, he would hesitate and say everyone reacts differently. I think he was expecting my hair to be gone by this point. So I truly think he was surprised to see me walk in with an (almost) full head of hair. Hurray for cold capping!
Are you done with treatment now U4ia or will you also be doing rads? More surgery? I had breast conserving surgery so I move on to radiation later this month. But everyone tells me it is a piece of cake after chemo. I should be all done by the start of summer!! I 've already bought a new bathing suit to fit my newly reduced and lifted breasts (which we've christened the newbies, short for new boobies). I was a DD prior to surgery and never could find a bathing suit that fit and that I liked. Now that I'm a C, I've got a ton of choices. If I can look on the bright side of having cancer, at least I've gotten the breast reduction I've always wanted. Is it okay to think that?
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Great to see what toppix can do! Amazing! You are definitely ahead of the game!0 -
The Toppix effect is amazing indeed! Thanks for sharing!!!
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Momma: I continue to rads next. Even with my mastectomy they suggested rads due to the 2 positive nodes. Newer studies are showing that the criteria for 4 positive nodes is not aggressive enough or something like that. I had to stop looking stuff up and just trust my team. I have my port out today and just a week ago I had my last chemo. I visited my RO yesterday and that was a whole freak out on my part. He sent me for a spinal xray because I was having pain for a while now. I proceeded to get sick everywhere due to the anxiety. I didn't expect my body to react like that!
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ok guys I haven't given up yet!!! Although the shedding is a booger, it finally eased up a little bit, I don't wear mine in a pony it is in a very very wimpy braid... Did round 1 of Taxol last week Round 2 is tomorrow my poor fiancée is getting tired of hurting his hands cold capping me, but he hangs in for me becuase he knows how important my hair is to me... Round 2 of Taxol tomorrow ...
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U4ia--I'm so sorry to hear you've had to endure more testing...and more stress. That really sucks! Are you still feeling sick from the stress or have things calmed down a bit? At least you finished the chemo, you should feel good about that. When will you know about the spinal scan?
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Hello spinal stuff was all clear, but shows spondylosis. Im calming down but had my port removed today. I had a low grade fever and then reminded myself I am only 7 dayPFC. I need to stop and let myself heal from my last chemo. I'm pushing ng too much
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U4iachic - How was the port removal? I'll have to get mine removed now that I'm done chemo too, but may wait until after radiation.
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A bit uncomfortable, they did it under local. So I was awake. I would rather have been put out but it was so quick. 20min. Maybe........
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Hang in there Tripper! You can do it!
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Tripper & wpmoon
Please don't give up, or throw in the towel....I too shed MANY tears. I know it is SO difficult to go through this as everyone has varying amounts of hair loss...It's awesome that it works for so many also. I had looked into toppers, but never bought one...they are like a toupee you would see a male use, but w/ length & coverage on top & 4 little clips. Check out this youtube link for toppers....(at the very end of the video, she shows it on the her head) they have a lot of info on youtube, when I checked out their site I had a hard time initially, used my iPhone instead because think I had to enable cookies to view/trust the site etc....but I sent away for a few color swatches...they are a reputable company... Also had AC/T..5 months total...
Though I lost about 90% of length & thinned a LOT (had AC/T..5 months total.)..t was mainly breakage leaving me w/ 4 inches all over my head & a tiny bit of length. The few balding spots i had through AC above my ears slowly filled in through weekly taxol. I had to chop the little length I had in the end, but NEVER went full bald or needed a wig...even kinda wasted 350 at a wig shop (as I was taking precautions early on). I am 5 wks PFC & have no shedding, so I recently broke protocol by straightening it twice a week & I feel it adds more length since I have naturally curly hair which bounces & shortens up
....I hope my rebel ways don't hurt me in the end? I'll include a few pics of before & after initially now w/ curly & straight short hair....it's hard to get used to...Pardon my late tired midnight pic w/ no makeup & hardly there eyebrows
one side is shorter so I put it behind my ear...Now that I'm back at work & have started radiation I feel like I never have time to be on this thread anymore
I do wish all you ladies the best...kick ass!Lori
Sorry...re sent link below in next post since it didn't show below
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