Caroline.

Location: USA
Cancer type: Breast Cancer
Drug type: Docetaxel, Cyclophosphamide, Paclitaxel, Abraxane and Adriamycin
Hair type: Average Thickness, Medium Length, Straight

"I was so happy with it and absolutely shocked at how well it worked. "

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma poorly differentiated and then in situ in 2021 when I was 29 years old. I had one main tumour with a collection of cancer around it. Stage 1B ER/PR + and Her2+.

I had a rough go with chemo. I was supposed to do TCHP, but my liver did not tolerate the Taxotere, then I had anaphylaxis to Taxol, then my liver didn’t tolerate Abraxane. So I did four rounds of AC! 

• Taxotere and Cytoxan x1 
• Taxol x1 
• Abraxane and Cytoxan x1 
• Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide x4 

My nurse clinical coordinator told me about scalp cooling, I had no idea it existed until I met her. Ordering through the hub was beyond easy, I spoke to a woman on the phone and gave her all my information. I believe the cap arrived two days later. It was truly a great customer service experience! 

My first time cold capping, I was freezing. I was told the first 15 minutes were the toughest, and that was correct. If you can get past the 15 minutes of a cold head & body, you can make it through it! Warm and heated blankets were my best friend while I was cold capping. I’d do it all over again if I had to.  

I definitely got more nauseous as the chemo sessions went on. The biggest tips I give to my friends going through this – ask for IV Ativan before cold capping starts. It helped me so much with any nausea or discomfort I had. 

I only experienced minimal hair loss. I did not have any bald spots – just general hair thinning. I did lose my sideburns, and the front of my hairline receded a little. I expected that hair loss though! I didn’t feel the need to wear a wig or head covering during this process, I would only wear a hat in-between hair washes when my hair was greasy. 

Hints & Tips:

• Only wash hair once a week with cold water 
• Wear a silk lined shower cap during non shower days 
• Only use Paxman shampoo and conditioner 
• Sleep on silk pillowcase- I loved the brand ‘Slip’ 
• Only wore my hair in a low ponytail- silk hair ties were amazing 
• Brush hair as gently as possible- 1 or 2 times a day. I used the Paxman brush 
• Absolutely zero heat products – not even cold hair dryer 
• If wearing a baseball hat, make sure it allows your scalp some air 
• Consider getting eyebrows micro bladed. I lost my eyebrows/eyelashes, used false eyelashes and draw on eyebrows 

I would 100% recommend this to anyone who could benefit from it. I have made friends in the cancer community, and I have learned that Paxman is truly the best at saving hair. 

 

"I would love to thank my chemotherapy nurse Siobhan. She helped me put on my cold cap and literally held my hand during the tough times. I don’t think I could have survived chemotherapy and cold capping without her love and support. I remember being so scared during the beginning, and she was able to turn my tears of fear into tears of laughter. Going through chemo was one of the hardest things I will ever do, and I can confidently say Siobhan was one of the reasons we got through it. "