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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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Posts 61 - 90 (107 total)

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Apr 29, 2016 11:12AM JCS28 wrote:

Here is my final result! I am ecstatic!

Dx 8/14/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IB, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ Targeted Therapy 9/2/2015 Perjeta (pertuzumab) Targeted Therapy 9/3/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Surgery 12/13/2015 Mastectomy: Left, Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Targeted Therapy 1/12/2016 Perjeta (pertuzumab) Targeted Therapy 1/12/2016 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Chemotherapy 1/13/2016 Taxotere (docetaxel)
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Apr 29, 2016 12:18PM viktoryak wrote:

Hi I am starting with Arctic Caps Tuesday, I am very very worried if it will work and if i can manage it. We are having a skype training tomorrow. I was told by Nurse from Arctic caps that i can color my hair before i start treatment. Which i did yesterday (back to my old dark color) hope it will not be that much noticeable when roots grow up. I am also doing a trim on Monday and then i guess i will need to survive all these time without hair styling and hair products. Bought some bandannas that don't cover whole head, hope it will keep when it gets to bad hair manageable.... Nurse from Arctic caps recommended "Madison Reed"- they make an organic hair powder that you can put on your roots. Which is great to know i can use once my roots grow up to much -i do have some grey hair.

Any last minute recommendations? I am so worried about the whole process of caping not even talking about chemo part that i am so scared :( My regiment is weekly taxol for 12 weeks + herseptin.

I am getting crazy about thinking how will we change caps on the way home from hospital. The drive takes from 40 to 60 min depending on traffic (we drive to NJ from NYC). It means every 20 min we will have to get out of highway and stop on the street or shoulder and change it. Sounds crazy, but I don't have a choice...

So if you see on the news "crazy woman stopped traffic for her cold caps in NY city" -it will be me.:)

But on a serious note, ladies, how did you manage getting home from treatment in cold caps and changing them on the way. Am i the only one who lives that far from hospital? Any stories?

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 02:35PM dancetrancer wrote:

JCS28!!! You look amazing - congratulations!!!! And thank you for posting your cold caps success story here!!!

viktoryak - I see you found the main cold caps thread and posted over there - that is great! That is where most of the posters are and where you will get the most support. This thread is just a reference thread for newbies to see success stories. I would suggest copying your post above and reposting it on the main CC thread. Best wishes!!!


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 29, 2016 02:40PM viktoryak wrote:

dancetrancer, I am sorry, I still trying to figure out this site.. I just re-posted my post. I hope I did place it to the right cold caps thread....

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 30, 2016 08:31AM dancetrancer wrote:

No worries viktoryak - just wanted to make sure you post where you will get the most support possible!!!! I saw it over there and that you are getting responses - yay!

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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May 3, 2016 10:49PM Naiveatheart wrote:

I'm hoping I an get a few tips. I start treatment this Thursday 5/5/16. We practiced using the caps today and I am definitely a little intimidated but excited to use the PCC and keep my hair. I'm curious if anyone can give me some tips on how they wore their hair through the process. I want to do everything the way the instructions say but I feel like my option is then down and air dry. Does anyone wear their hair in a ponytail? Is dry shampoo ok?


Thank you in advance for your insight and tips

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May 4, 2016 07:31AM Moderators wrote:

Naiveatheart, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us! We're sure you'll get lots of tips from our kind and experienced community members. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need any assistance. And let us know how you're doing!

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The Mods

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May 4, 2016 10:23AM JCS28 wrote:

Naiveatheart -- Check out this thread. It has lots of everyday tips for Penguin Cold Caps. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/...

I just finished 6 rounds of PCC and had complete success! My hair is shoulder length and straight, so I just wash about every 3 days and let it air dry. Then I just brush it in the morning and go. I have used dry shampoo a handful of times. You just want to get a gentle one -- no sulfates, no parabens, no alchohols. I used this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Bumble-Pret-Powder-Shampoo-O...

I was told to avoid ponytails, so I've only done it a few times for working out. I think the whole idea is just be gentle. So if you think it's not pulling on your hair too much, then a loose ponytail might be OK.

Good luck!

Dx 8/14/2015, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IB, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ Targeted Therapy 9/2/2015 Perjeta (pertuzumab) Targeted Therapy 9/3/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Surgery 12/13/2015 Mastectomy: Left, Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Targeted Therapy 1/12/2016 Perjeta (pertuzumab) Targeted Therapy 1/12/2016 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Chemotherapy 1/13/2016 Taxotere (docetaxel)
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May 7, 2016 03:15PM goldenpawsKim wrote:

JCS - wow, you look fantastic - so great to see another success story :) -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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May 18, 2016 08:30AM viktoryak wrote:

Hi ladies, I had my #3 weekly Taxol. No prior AC as some of you . Please let me know if anyone only on weekly Taxol and used caps when is a shedding starts? When will I know it working or I need to run a get a wig or topper.

Thank you!!!

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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May 26, 2016 12:27PM - edited Jun 3, 2016 05:41PM by phaila

This Post was deleted by phaila.
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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Jun 3, 2016 05:00PM 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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Jun 10, 2016 07:25AM Del7 wrote:

Hey Ladies,

What a great thread this is. I have just started using CC. Had first chemo last week and was curious as to what sorts of results to expect. You all look great and any hair loss is clearly minimal in these pics. This gives me great great hope. I am on FEC 80 and so not sure if different chemos make a difference? Anyways, I will post pics of my results maybe in a 3 or 4 weeks time.

Dolly

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Jun 10, 2016 02:13PM dancetrancer wrote:

Welcome Dolly - different chemo's do make a difference it seems - post on the main CC thread and maybe someone there will have had experience with FEC! Wishing you all the best!

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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Jun 12, 2016 12:30AM profB wrote:

I didn't let anyone take pictures during treatment, but here is a picture one month after surgery and two months after finishing five rounds of taxotere and carboplatin. Penguin cold caps absolutely worked and I started out with very thin hair. It got thinner with shedding but no one knew I was in treatment. I lost all the hair above my ears and a fair amount at the nape of my neck. A tip to try if you are not petite (I am 5'11" -- size 12/14) -- use an extra headband around the back of your head under the cap. (Caps are all one size and they didn't cover the back at my hair line .) The key is don't quit. You will shed, but no one knows but you. Obviously I colored it sooner than the six months recommended, but I use only semi permanent hair color with low peroxide. My hairdresser was the best fixing my bangs and layers to conceal all the loss.


BRCA2, 5 rounds every 3 weeks taxotere carboplatin herceptin and perjeta, 4cm left, triple negative, HER2+, lumpectomy & reconstruction on L, reduction on R, hysterectomy, all surgeries july 2015, radiation sept/oct 2015.
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Jun 12, 2016 01:28AM - edited Jun 12, 2016 01:28AM by Wildflower2015

ProfB,

I don't know which one of the women in the picture is you - you both have totally normal looking hair! Which I guess is a testament to the effectiveness of cold capping! 😀

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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Jun 12, 2016 09:52AM dancetrancer wrote:

profB, I was going to say the same exact thing as Wildflower - I don't know which woman is you, which definitely is a great testament to your success with cold caps! Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your pic!

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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Jun 16, 2016 11:16AM profB wrote:

LOL...I thought it would be obvious that it is a mother-daughter pic and I am the older one. I have the red hair in the picture. And yes, cold capping works and I tell everyone who will listen. I can't believe it when I hear people say they wished they had known about the option. It is time to change that.

BRCA2, 5 rounds every 3 weeks taxotere carboplatin herceptin and perjeta, 4cm left, triple negative, HER2+, lumpectomy & reconstruction on L, reduction on R, hysterectomy, all surgeries july 2015, radiation sept/oct 2015.
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Jul 9, 2016 06:58PM teddytoes wrote:

Hi all - quick question, I've been through 4 rounds to TC-HP, #5 is in 2 days. I'm using Penguin Cold Caps and keeping (most) of my hair, I'm so happy!

However, the hair I do have is in pretty bad shape - thin and damage. Does the hair that I do have improve after chemo, or do I have to wait for it to grow out?

Many thanks!

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Aug 22, 2016 06:12PM tshire wrote:

I've been terrible about posting lately, but I got my professional wedding pics back and wanted to share! This was 3/26/16, just under 4 months after completing chemo and capping.


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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Aug 22, 2016 06:24PM dancetrancer wrote:

Oh my gosh, tshire, you look absolutely radiant!!!!!!! Thank you so much for posting!!! And 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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Aug 22, 2016 10:10PM BBwithBC45 wrote:

Tiffany, just beautiful! Your hair looked amazing. Congratulations!


Saved my hair with cold caps. Dx 1/4/2015, DCIS, Left, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR- Surgery 1/12/2015 Lumpectomy: Left; Lymph node removal: Left, Sentinel Dx 1/17/2015, IDC, Left, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ (FISH) Surgery 2/2/2015 Mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement Targeted Therapy 3/3/2015 Herceptin (trastuzumab) Chemotherapy 3/3/2015 Taxol (paclitaxel) Surgery 6/1/2015 Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement Hormonal Therapy 6/8/2015 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone) Surgery 9/30/2015 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant Surgery 3/8/2016 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant Surgery 6/6/2016 Prophylactic ovary removal; Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting Surgery 10/10/2016 Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting Surgery 7/17/2017 Reconstruction (left): Fat grafting
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Aug 23, 2016 07:07AM viktoryak wrote:

Tiffany, Wow! Beautiful hair and bride and groom You are both gorgeous.You are real success story. Congratulatiins! Wishing you a happy healthy family!Heart

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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Aug 23, 2016 01:18PM tshire wrote:

Thank you all so much! After all that hard work, I couldn't bear to wear my hair up! Winking

Cold caps WORK!!

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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Aug 24, 2016 08:13PM phaila wrote:

truly beautiful and amazing!!!

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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Sep 8, 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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Sep 8, 2016 07:39AM Moderators wrote:

Your photo's are so beautiful tshire,

Congratulations to you both

Heart

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Sep 13, 2016 09:54PM hope49 wrote:

Congratulations, Tiffany! You look so happy and beautiful, what a success story. You should be the advertisement for the potential of the cold caps.

Dx 8/24/2012, ILC, 6cm+, Stage IIIA, Grade 1, 4/14 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- Chemotherapy 1/9/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel) Radiation Therapy 4/16/2013 Breast, Lymph nodes Hormonal Therapy 6/8/2013
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Sep 13, 2016 11:37PM Jiffrig wrote:

everyone looks so great. I am using PCC also, but I am doing AC/T which I know is much harder on hair retention. The adriamycin is tough! I am hanging in there but having my last infusion of A/C tomorrow I started shedding a ton the last 10 days. Scared this won't work. Has anyone had success on my type chemo? Does it get better when I switch to taxol

Dx 7/15/2016, IDC, Right, <1cm, Stage IIA, Grade 2, 1/22 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Chemotherapy 8/3/2016 AC + T (Taxol) Surgery 12/12/2016 Lymph node removal: Sentinel, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left Radiation Therapy 3/6/2017 External: Lymph nodes, Chest wall Hormonal Therapy 4/1/2017 Arimidex (anastrozole) Surgery 7/29/2017 Reconstruction (left): DIEP flap; Reconstruction (right): DIEP flap
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Sep 14, 2016 07:40AM dancetrancer wrote:

Jiffrig -

The best place to ask questions like that is on the main CC thread where the most cappers are active:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/...

Best wishes!

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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