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Topic: Cold Caps: Success Stories with Photos here!

Forum: Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment —

This is a place to discuss concerns, tips and strategies for all types of side effects from all types of medications and treatments, (chemo/rads/hormonal/targeted/pain meds/etc.

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Posted on: Oct 14, 2015 10:49AM - edited Nov 27, 2015 08:13PM by dancetrancer

dancetrancer wrote:

Hello! You asked for it, here it is. A thread for cold cappers to post their success stories with pics.

Please list your regimen (if not in your signature) and a brief description of what the experience was like for you along with the type of caps you used. PLEASE include pics - a picture is worth a thousand words and is very encouraging for newbies and those currently going through treatment.

My regimen was TCH. I saved my hair with CC's. I am SO glad I did it! I used Penguin brand. I shed during and for a long time post (4 months post!). However, I never shed enough that others could tell I was in treatment. A link to my pics is listed in my signature.

For questions about the process/tips to get started, etc., please see other threads.

The thread for FAQ's for newbies is here: Cold Cap FAQ's - newbies - how to save your hair from chemo

The thread for posting questions, where the majority of cappers congregate, is located here: Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

I would like to keep this thread focused upon sharing success stories with pics. I don't want it to get sidetracked or it will become WAY too long and hard to navigate.

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Dec 22, 2015 03:34PM goldenpawsKim wrote:

Hey girls - First pic is 5 weeks after first chemo treatment. I dyed my hair back to original color before starting chemo. Day 20-30 was my biggest (and scariest) shed ...


Pic below is after 4 rounds of TC treatments (3 months after 1st chemo) ... pic was taken at radiation... hair got thin (and ugly gray roots) but no one would ever know I was going through chemo.

Pic below is a what my hair looks like today (11 months from 1st treatment) ... back to highlighting, color and cut, flat iron, etc. Not a great pic but good to see I still have my hair!!

Penguin caps DO WORK :)

Here is the back.

Thanks for everyone's support, love and guidance .... couldn't have done it without all of you. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

-Kim


Dx 10/9/2014, IDC, Right, 2cm, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH) Surgery 11/10/2014 Lumpectomy: Right Chemotherapy 1/7/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 4/13/2015 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy 6/14/2015 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Dec 22, 2015 05:20PM Wildflower2015 wrote:

Wow, Kim, your hair looks awesome!

Cold capping saved my hair during chemo :-) Dx 4/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- Surgery 4/23/2015 Lumpectomy: Right; Lymph node removal: Sentinel Chemotherapy 6/18/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 10/19/2015
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Dec 22, 2015 09:48PM Suladog wrote:

Kim,

You look great!!! PCC really did the job for you!

Dx 6/6/1990, IDC, Left, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/18 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- Surgery 7/20/1990 Mastectomy: Left Chemotherapy 8/19/1990 CMF Dx 10/5/2014, IDC, Right, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ (FISH) Surgery 10/28/2014 Mastectomy: Right Chemotherapy 1/28/2015 Taxol (paclitaxel) Targeted Therapy 1/29/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Hormonal Therapy 5/30/2015 Arimidex (anastrozole)
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Dec 22, 2015 11:58PM 7of9 wrote:

I am so going to try this if I have to do chemo again!!!

If you're going through hell, keep on going. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there. Dx 1/18/2012, IDC, Left, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 5/31/2012 Lymph node removal: Left; Mastectomy: Left, Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Surgery 10/31/2012 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right) Dx 12/23/2015, IDC, Left, 2cm, Grade 2, 10/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 1/18/2016 Lymph node removal: Left, Underarm/Axillary Surgery 1/18/2016 Prophylactic ovary removal Radiation Therapy 2/10/2016 Whole-breast: Breast, Lymph nodes, Chest wall Chemotherapy 3/31/2016 Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy Arimidex (anastrozole)
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Dec 23, 2015 09:17PM dancetrancer wrote:

Kim, you look wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your pics and story!

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Jan 22, 2016 12:45PM tshire wrote:

I am now 7 weeks PFC and I'm ready to share! I documented my hair pretty well so here are the pictures!

Before chemo....

I had my first chemo on Sept 30, and my first photo post chemo is Day 16, Oct. 15th.

Day 20 (beginning of first big shed):

Day 30:

Day 40:

Day 51:

Finished with chemo!

7 weeks after chemo!

You can see my eyebrows need to be drawn on now, and I have lots of strange little baby hairs sticking straight up, but I still have hair! I have lost what seems like a lot to me, maybe 15-20% of the total, but it's not noticeable to anyone else. No bald spots!

Losing your hair can be devastating to many women. It would have been particularly devastating for me, as I am getting married in 60 days and I was planning my wedding when I was diagnosed. My treatment has gone so well and I attribute that in part to keeping a positive attitude as a result of keeping my hair! Thank God for cold caps!!

Tiffany, dx age 31. Neg for all breast cancer genes tested. Oncotype 20. Ki67 34%. Saved my hair with Penguin Cold Caps! Dx 6/12/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH) Surgery 7/13/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Dx 7/16/2015, DCIS, Right, Stage 0, Grade 2 Surgery 7/26/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Chemotherapy 9/30/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 12/30/2015 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy 3/10/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Jan 22, 2016 03:15PM Lemint wrote:

tshire, you look awesome. Can't tell at all you've been through chemo. Congratulations. I've been cold capping as well and have finished 3TX's. I'm 51 days post first chemo treatment. I have 3 more treatments to go. I feel like I mostly shed when I wash my hair twice a week. Everyone says they dont notice any difference. Do you think I'm safe now and can proclaim that this is working. Haha. Just need reassurance from an expert.

Dx 7/21/2015, DCIS, Left, 1cm, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER+/PR- Dx 8/18/2015, IDC: Mucinous, Left, Stage IIB, Grade 1, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ Chemotherapy 12/2/2015 Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel) Targeted Therapy 12/2/2015 Perjeta (pertuzumab) Targeted Therapy 12/2/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Radiation Therapy 4/10/2016
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Jan 22, 2016 06:02PM tshire wrote:

Girl it's definitely working! Keep it up! I am back to taking normal showers again woohoo

Tiffany, dx age 31. Neg for all breast cancer genes tested. Oncotype 20. Ki67 34%. Saved my hair with Penguin Cold Caps! Dx 6/12/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH) Surgery 7/13/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Dx 7/16/2015, DCIS, Right, Stage 0, Grade 2 Surgery 7/26/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Chemotherapy 9/30/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 12/30/2015 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy 3/10/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Jan 24, 2016 12:15AM dancetrancer wrote:

tshire - thank you so much for sharing - you look fabulous! Congratulations!!!

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Jan 25, 2016 04:56AM angiesgo wrote:

tshire you look amazing, the cold caps worked a absolute treat on you. I sure hope I get the same results. Best of luck with your wedding l plannin

Dx 11/2015, Right, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, ER+/PR+, HER2+ Targeted Therapy Herceptin (trastuzumab) Chemotherapy Taxol (paclitaxel) Surgery
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Jan 26, 2016 09:25AM heatherbless wrote:

I am also using cold caps and am at chemo number 4- with a full head of hair! It works great!

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Mother Teresa Dx 10/1/2008, IDC, Left, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 3, 1/8 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Dx 11/6/2015, IDC, Left, Stage IV, metastasized to brain/bone/liver, Grade 3, ER+/PR+, HER2+ (FISH) Chemotherapy 12/17/2015 Taxotere (docetaxel)
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Jan 26, 2016 01:11PM tshire wrote:

Thanks Angie! I am so, so happy about my success! I followed all the instructions to a T and it worked like a charm!

Tiffany, dx age 31. Neg for all breast cancer genes tested. Oncotype 20. Ki67 34%. Saved my hair with Penguin Cold Caps! Dx 6/12/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH) Surgery 7/13/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Dx 7/16/2015, DCIS, Right, Stage 0, Grade 2 Surgery 7/26/2015 Lumpectomy: Right Chemotherapy 9/30/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 12/30/2015 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy 3/10/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Jan 29, 2016 10:57AM barcelonagirl wrote:

Tshire, CONGRATS on such a phenomenal outcome with the cold caps. Your hair looks amazing, and as you said, you feel like you've lost a lot but no one else would know!! (Was checking back in after your initial diagnosis and saw this post!!)

Positive attitude and keeping the hair has eased your stress level incredibly i'm sure. So wish I had followed my instincts and tried them, but 3 years later I have a full head of hair so no complaints! All the best for your wedding plans!!

Breast Cancer Survivor/ MammaPrint user / Agendia Patient Advocate Dx 8/2012, DCIS/IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
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Feb 2, 2016 12:44PM Sara208 wrote:

I completed four rounds of TC chemo three weeks ago today. I lost less than 5% of my hair from behind my ears and at my temples at days 16-19, and have had no significant loss since then. I used Penguin Cold Caps and stuck to their suggestions religiously! Keeping my hair was extremely important to me, I'm so glad I had so much success!

Dx: 7/2015, mastectomy 10/1/2015, DCIS Left, 5/22 nodes, stage IIIA, T1, N2, ER/PR+, HER2-

Dx 7/2015, DCIS/IDC: Medullary, Left, 1cm, Stage IIIA, Grade 1, 5/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 9/5/2015 Lymph node removal: Sentinel Surgery 9/15/2015 Lymph node removal: Left; Mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement Chemotherapy 11/10/2015 TAC Radiation Therapy 2/2/2016 Whole-breast: Breast, Lymph nodes, Chest wall Hormonal Therapy 4/1/2016 Arimidex (anastrozole) Surgery 9/5/2016 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant; Reconstruction (right): Silicone implant Surgery 2/27/2017 Reconstruction (right) Surgery 6/2/2017 Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting; Reconstruction (right) Surgery 7/3/2017 Reconstruction (left) Surgery 8/2/2017 Reconstruction (left)
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Feb 2, 2016 12:56PM dancetrancer wrote:

Congratulations Sara thanks so much for posting! You look fabulous!

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Feb 3, 2016 12:01PM goldenpawsKim wrote:

Sara - you look great!!! So happy you were successful with the caps :) Congrats and thanks for sharing your pic!! -Kim


Dx 10/9/2014, IDC, Right, 2cm, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH) Surgery 11/10/2014 Lumpectomy: Right Chemotherapy 1/7/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 4/13/2015 Whole-breast: Breast Hormonal Therapy 6/14/2015 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
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Feb 13, 2016 03:52PM pch wrote:

SARA!! Five percent, you big showoff. You look maaahvelous. I'm so happy for you guys. We will have to get together for that celebratory cocktail as soon as I'm out and about. Hha. Five percent.

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Mar 6, 2016 09:11PM ELrunner2 wrote:

tshire, what company of cold caps did you use?

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Mar 18, 2016 08:38PM - edited Mar 21, 2016 11:25PM by imacaligal

This is my first post in the forum but I've stalked these pages and have received so much useful information that I wanted to share my success story. As of today, I am 9 weeks PFC and just finishing radiation.

My oncologist recommended cold caps and the office has a working relationship with PCC. The infusion unit has a medical freezer and I also used PCC therapists for all of my treatments. I used DermOrganics shampoo/conditioner that I got from Amazon. I also used HairRenew supplements from Amazon. I followed all the PCC instructions exactly except that my hair lived in a pony tail for the 4 months because I was constantly shedding and it was always dirty. C'est la vie!

Cold Caps were a huge pain in the butt but they are so very worth it. Cold caps work!! I am so happy I used them.

My hair pre chemo. I had 6 rounds of TC.

Day of first chemo. Not so happy.

I shed 21 days after chemo #1 and had the most shedding after chemo #2. After that it was a consistent daily shedding. I wondered if I would finish with hair. My shedding was pretty spread out all over my head and I didn't have any "bald spots". Probably due to having a good PCC therapist.

After chemo #4 on a hair washing day.

Getting ready to walk in to my last chemo.

And me today. You can see how much it's grown and I have lots of new growth in my part. I washed and dried it today so it looks thinner because it's straight. Have yet to get it cut or highlighted but I think it's about ready. My brows thinned but are growing back quickly.

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Mar 18, 2016 10:37PM dancetrancer wrote:

imacaligal - what a great success story! You look fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing your pics and story to help inspire and encourage others! Heart

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Mar 19, 2016 12:45AM Moderators wrote:

Imacaligal-

Thank you so much for sharing! What a wonderful success story, and inspiration to other members!

The Mods

To send a Private Message to the Mods: community.breastcancer.org/mem...
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Mar 19, 2016 08:45AM phaila wrote:

yes you look awesome! Did you only wash hair once a week? Mines getting a little ripe:

Dx 12/2015, DCIS/IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- Chemotherapy 3/16/2016 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy 6/30/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone) Radiation Therapy 8/9/2016 Whole-breast: Breast
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Mar 19, 2016 08:56AM phaila wrote:

also what's the best way to sleep with hairwhile using cold caps?

Dx 12/2015, DCIS/IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- Chemotherapy 3/16/2016 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy 6/30/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone) Radiation Therapy 8/9/2016 Whole-breast: Breast
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Mar 19, 2016 01:13PM phaila wrote:

what are best shampoos conditioners to use during cold cap treatment? Get to do my first wash tomorrow and don't want to mess it up!! 😜👍

And we only capped 3 hours after treatment... Should it have been 4??

Doh

Dx 12/2015, DCIS/IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- Chemotherapy 3/16/2016 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy 6/30/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone) Radiation Therapy 8/9/2016 Whole-breast: Breast
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Mar 19, 2016 01:57PM Scarlett152 wrote:

I used Giovanni 50/50 shampoo and conditioner. Also, get a good dry shampoo that you can spray in between washes to refresh.

Dx 12/17/2014, IDC, Right, 3cm, Stage IIA, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Hormonal Therapy 1/24/2015 Zoladex (goserelin) Chemotherapy 5/7/2015 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy 8/9/2015 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone), Zoladex (goserelin) Surgery Lymph node removal: Sentinel; Mastectomy: Right; Reconstruction (right): DIEP flap
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Mar 20, 2016 09:13AM phaila wrote:

First day ofwashing since cold capping. Hope I didn't mess anything up!

Dx 12/2015, DCIS/IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- Chemotherapy 3/16/2016 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Hormonal Therapy 6/30/2016 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone) Radiation Therapy 8/9/2016 Whole-breast: Breast
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Mar 21, 2016 04:55PM imacaligal wrote:

Thanks for all the positive comments on my post. phalia -- my PCC rep recommended DermOrganic so I used that. It doesn't have the bad stuff in it but lathered nicely and got my hair pretty clean. For sleeping, I started out using a 100% silk pillow case but then just switched to my regular one.

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Apr 24, 2016 07:11AM dancetrancer wrote:

Bump for newbies

Cold caps work! coldcapphotos.shutterfly.com/p... TCH: 4/10 - 6/13/12; 33 rads; BMX w/fat grafting; DX: 7/29/11 @ age 43: Stage 1A on L (3 mm IDC w/ 6 cm DCIS, Gr 2 ER/PR+, HER2+) 0/3 nodes; Stage 0 on R (2 mm DCIS); see bio.
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Apr 27, 2016 10:46AM viktoryak wrote:

Hi Ladies,


I ordered Arctic cold caps today. Starting first taxol chemo on Tuesday. 12 weeks once a week regiment. What do i do about coloring of my hair. I did color them about 8 weeks before now it is already grey showing a bit and it is time to color. But i believe it is too late for it now? Any natural colors i can use. I am terrified of 6 month without coloring, I will be grey:( Any suggestions? Perhaps i can color it today?

Stage I. Lapmectomy 03/10/16.Chemotherapy started 05/03/16( 12 weeks of weekly Taxol), Herceptin started 05/03/16, Radiation 08/22/16
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Apr 29, 2016 08:16AM Lemint wrote:

Hi everyone, Hope everyone is well. I'm 5 weeks post chemo and I used Artic Cold Caps. I was very successful. I've thinned some especially above my ears and my hairline. I was wondering if anyone knew when the shredding will stop or slow. Also when is the earliest I can color and cut my hair. Thanks in advance.

Dx 7/21/2015, DCIS, Left, 1cm, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER+/PR- Dx 8/18/2015, IDC: Mucinous, Left, Stage IIB, Grade 1, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ Chemotherapy 12/2/2015 Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel) Targeted Therapy 12/2/2015 Perjeta (pertuzumab) Targeted Therapy 12/2/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Radiation Therapy 4/10/2016

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