Julie | Georgia
Age: 47
Diagnosis: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Chemotherapy Regimen: Taxol
Total Treatments: 12
The big question, to invest in cold capping that could potentially work, or to proudly go bald and let the world know you are a fighter. As I neared the final decision, cold capping felt like work plus stress and I was not sure I would like not being able to fix my hair. However, once I started it was not work at all. My thought was – doing this for a few months would be much better than going through 1-2 years of weird awkward phases of growing out my hair.
The first time I did the cold cap, I literally thought I was going to have a panic attack it hurt so bad and thought there is NO WAY I can continue another minute much less 11 more treatments. I immediately learned that Ativan is the answer. People talk about how hard it is, well it’s not. The first 20ish minutes are uncomfortable and then it’s fine. Just make sure you have an Ativan.
Here is how I did it:
- All natural hair products.
- Dry shampoo and powder. The powder on at night before bed.
- Washed my hair with only shampoo day of treatment. And then washed my hair with shampoo and conditioner one other time during the week. Warm water, not hot.
- No pony tail. Just clipped it up, but made sure it didn’t pull.
- Air dry, with some cold air from the hair dryer.
- Covered my head while in the sun.
- Used a wide tooth comb and combed a few times a day.
- Make sure the person who helps you put it on knows what they are doing and secures it tightly on your head.
I am 11 of 12 treatments in and I have hair. I’ve had shedding, but I am the only one who can tell. I understand my hair could be fragile for 3-6 months, so am curious how long I have to continue with the above plan – BUT I have my hair. I did cut my hair shorter (shoulder length) before I started treatment and had it colored in a way that it would not grow out and show roots.
Chemo makes you feel bad, and I gained 20 lbs. I can promise you if I would have lost my hair after gaining weight and not feeling the prettiest, I would have lost it. I AM so glad I did it and don’t let people tell you it’s hard. It’s not.