I’m Rachel Kayla, Clinical Product Specialist at Paxman, and I wanted to share some deeply personal aspects of my cancer journey – aspects that I hope might convince a healthcare provider to adopt scalp cooling or simply offer hope to someone who needs it today. 

A Diagnosis I Never Expected 

I was 44 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Uninsured at the time, I had just found a new primary care doctor who helped me find an affordable place to get a mammogram – my first in three years. That mammogram saved my life. They caught a lump early, and I will never forget the moment after surgery when my doctor told me chemotherapy was next. 

My first question wasn’t about survival. It was, "Will I lose my hair?" 

It wasn’t vanity. It was about holding onto my identity; being able to see myself in the mirror and feel a sense of normal in a life that suddenly wasn’t. 

Discovering Scalp Cooling 

I was lucky. My doctor told me about a machine that might help me keep my hair. This was when I heard about the Paxman Scalp Cooling System. He didn’t know much, but a nurse brought me information, and I dove into researching clinical studies and reading patient experiences, all while weighing up the pros and cons.  

It was only when a friend asked me this one question that I knew my decision: “If I came to you asking whether to try it, what would you say?”  

And just like that, I knew what I had to do. 

I had heard of Taxotere, the chemo drug I would be getting, and its risk of permanent hair loss. After feeling like lightning had already struck once with my low risk for cancer, I wasn’t going to gamble again. Scalp cooling was a chance (not a guarantee), but I took it. 

My Experience of Chemotherapy and Scalp Cooling 

The first day of chemo is a whirlwind of unknowns. I remember wondering if they'd find a vein, whether I’d react to the drugs, whether I was ready. A snowstorm delayed my cap shipment, so I borrowed one. Even then, I felt prepared. I’d watched every video I could find. I think that helped take my mind off of the other anxieties that were happening; the other million and one things that you're thinking about with chemotherapy.  

The nurse offered to help me fit my cap and I remember telling her, “No, I’ve got this. I’m going to do this.” It was probably hilarious to watch, but once I’d got the hang of it, it was easy and simple. And more importantly, it gave me a sense of control in a situation where control is rare. 

Was it comfortable? No. But it’s called cold capping for a reason. It’s chilly, but it’s refreshing. At first, it felt like jumping into a lake in early spring. But just like you would in the lake, your body adjusts. You wrap up in blankets, you layer your sweatshirts, and you get through it. It wasn’t painful or unbearable. And most importantly, it was worth it. 

Keeping My Hair Meant Keeping Myself 

My hairstylist said I kept about 70% of my hair. But what I kept went far beyond just strands. 

I didn’t feel sick during chemo. My treatment was preventive. Without losing my hair, I didn’t look sick either. I could walk into a grocery store without seeing sadness in strangers’ eyes. I could pass a mirror and still see me. I didn’t have to explain my story to anyone unless I chose to. I kept my independence, I kept my business running, and I kept my dignity. 

And I’ve come to understand it wasn’t just for me. My friends, many of whom had watched someone else we loved lose their hair to breast cancer years before, found comfort in not watching it happen again. 

Finding A Community and My ‘Breastie’ 

One of the most beautiful outcomes came from a simple Facebook group. 

At the time, I lived in a different state, and I met Nicole – who I call my "breastie" – through an online cancer support community. She was a week ahead of me in treatment. When I had questions about what to expect, she already knew. She also pointed me to the Paxman Facebook group where I found a community, support, and real patient experiences. It was one of the biggest resources for me as I was going through my scalp cooling and my chemo journey. 

Eventually, Nicole and I became close friends. Today, we live in the same city. I’ve met her children. We spend time together, and we continue to support each other. That connection would never have happened without Paxman. 

And then, a late-night scroll changed everything. 

From Survivor to Advocate 

I had COVID, so I was at home, resting and reading Facebook posts in the group. I'm in a stage now where I feel like a big sister, sharing my journey so those that are new can see what it's like on the other side.  

One comment from a new patient caught my attention; a patient said that her nurse had discouraged her from scalp cooling. They had told her it was ineffective and that it was dangerous. I knew that simply wasn’t true. I’m data-driven. I’d done the research, I knew the facts, and it had worked for me. And I knew I had to speak up. 

I became aggravated and just wanted to do more to help. I went to the Paxman website hoping to submit a testimonial but instead, I saw they were hiring. 

That same night, I sent off my resume. 

The next day, my (now) manager responded. The position was for a different city, but coincidently, it was a city I had been thinking about moving to. We set up an interview and the rest is history! That’s how I came to work for Paxman, as a Clinical Product Specialist. 

Now, I get to help support not just patients, but the nurses, doctors, and cancer centers who care for them. I get to share my story and help others feel confident in their decisions. I get to be the voice I once searched for during the hardest time of my life. 

Our Voice, Our Choice 

If you’re reading this as an oncology healthcare professional, I urge you to offer scalp cooling as an option to your patients and allow them to make their own informed decision.  

In the short space of time where a patient learns of the toxic drugs they’ve been prescribed and the changes they should accept as the ‘new normal’, giving them this one choice offers a degree of control when they need it most. It makes such a difference – believe me, I know.  

My Message to Patients 

To anyone faced with this choice for themselves, here’s what I’ll tell you: Yes, it adds time to your treatment day. Yes, it takes effort. But if keeping your hair will help you feel like you, it’s worth trying. And if it gets too hard, that’s OK too. Your decision is the right one, because it’s yours. 

We're all different. What we need out of this journey is different, and we need to do what makes us most comfortable. And a lot of the time, keeping your hair is what makes you most comfortable.