Janet ▶ CA

Janet  | California
Age: 67
Diagnosis: Ovarian Cancer
Chemotherapy Regimen: Carboplatin and Paclitaxel
Total Treatments: 6 
Infusion Center: Pomona Valley Community Hospital Cancer Care Center 

Tell us about yourself.
I am married and we are celebrating our 50th anniversary next year. We have two grown daughters with wonderful husbands that have given us 6 beautiful grandkids…5 boys and 1 girl (who was born on my birthday). After retiring 6 years ago after a 40-year career in banking, I looked forward to spending time with family, traveling, volunteering and some relaxing. God had other plans for me. In May of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. I was determined to overcome this disease and felt the best way was to remain positive and lean on God to help me through.

How did you find out about DigniCap?
Before I began treatment, a close family friend who is a PA suggested scalp cooling. When I asked my oncologist about it, she recommended DigniCap. The center where I received my treatment was well equipped and the staff very knowledgeable. They took their time in placing the cap to ensure proper cooling. While it made the day of treatment process longer, it was worth every minute. I did have some heavy shedding, but did not experience any bald spots – and when my hair began to grow back, it was healthy and grew quickly. Today my hair is thicker and healthier than prior to treatment.

“I knew that keeping my hair would be instrumental in remaining positive as people would not see me as a cancer patient.”

Did you have a successful experience using DigniCap?
I used DigniCap for all six cycles. This treatment center’s protocol is to administer Ativan, which was a tremendous help in getting me through the first 20-30 minutes of cooling. Then I mostly slept through the chemo drug administration process.

I was very comfortable and used an electric throw blanket which was awesome and I had a towel on my shoulder to prevent from getting wet. I would spend at least 8 hours at the center, with the time spent to place the cap and pre-cool (usually 30 minutes), receiving the chemo (3 hours for my regimen), then two hours after chemo.Everyone at the center was so kind and attentive, I felt I was being ‘pampered’ and used the time to get some welcomed rest!

I did shed about 50-60% of my hair (hard to really estimate). It did not start shedding until after the second cycle. It was only shedding, not coming out in clumps, which made me feel very positive about myself and the experience. The shedding continued until about two weeks post treatment. The key to success seemed to me to be with the cap placement and ensuring it fit right up against the scalp over the entire head. My nurses did a fantastic job to ensure it fit perfectly.

I am currently two years into remission. And honestly, should the cancer return, I will use DigniCap again and recommend it to anyone going through chemo treatments. My hair is now all back to my normal length and even a little thicker. I have naturally curly hair and not using heat tools and usual products, was not a big issue for me. I wish everyone going through their cancer journey to experience the same success as I have with both the treatment plan and the DigniCap use. I am looking forward to reaching the 5-year post treatment (3 more to go!) and to be declared cancer free!

Why was trying to keep your hair during chemotherapy important to you?
I knew that keeping my hair would be instrumental in remaining positive as people would not see me as a cancer patient. In fact, during my treatment, only my closest friends and prayer warriors knew I had cancer. It was also important to me to make sure my grandkids didn’t see me as ‘sick’ and keeping my hair helped me to look more like I always have.

What advice would you give to someone who is going through a similar experience, or who has recently been diagnosed and is considering scalp cooling?
While the process of cold capping is intense (cold), I truly recommend DigniCap to anyone who may be faced with the potential of chemo hair loss.