How 3 women managed the hair loss of chemo

One day, I removed my scarf because I was hot, and my daughter said: “Mom, you’re pretty.” I knew she was trying to feel better, and it was one of the sweetest moments. In addition, my daughter also started wearing the scarves, so it ended up being a fun and fun experience for both of us.

Pros As people could say that I had cancer, whenever I went out in the world, people would treat me with additional love and kindness. I just kissed that. I felt like I was my real me by not hiding my cancer, but by showing the world that I could be beautiful and strong in the face of illness.

Disadvantages My head was sometimes too hot. Some scarves were a little more difficult to tie than others. Some days, I felt too tired to attach them, and they looked more like a nuisance.

Biggest lesson There is something terrifying to look in the mirror and see a person different from the one you saw two weeks ago, but there is also something liberating. In addition to not having to worry about hair removal or shampoo (which was a luxury for an Ashkenaze Jew), I just appreciated what I had so much more. Losing my hair and finding a way to manage this great symbolic change throughout my cancer experience. When [I was] Diagnosed with cancer, there was so much that I lost control (like my life!), But I felt in control of the way I lived during cancer.

Advice for other women with hair loss Get a cup of fun elf early and shave it before starting to fall into tufts. I was happy to have done it because I think it could have been more overwhelming to see great tufts fall.

Follow Adina Schecter on Instagram at @Thew.

Heather Hall, 49

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Occupation Vice-president, business communications for an organization of doctors

Diagnosis Osteosarcoma, diagnosed at 21 years old; Mélanoma, diagnosed at 27 years old; and breast cancer, diagnosed at 43

Method to manage hair loss Cold caps

I was bald for almost 15 months during bone cancer [osteosarcoma] Treatment when I was 21 years old. I learned to kiss her because I had no choice, but it also made me sad and frustrated. It was beautiful to be diagnosed with a third separate cancer [when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43]. My whole world was upset more than what I expected with breast cancer. I wanted to resume my life in eliminais this cancer. I had no choice of hair loss during bone cancer, but I did it during breast cancer. I chose to embrace this choice.

I used manual caps so that I can only talk about this process. (The other option is a scalp cooling system which has the cap attached to a small refrigeration machine which circulates the coolers. The cold must be distributed evenly on the scalp. The cap must be attached as tight as possible to ensure that the cold reaches all areas of the scalp.

It is important to note that therapy with a cold cap is not suitable for all cancers. Different chemo drugs can also affect the success rate. COLD CAP companies can help with details.

Pros I could go to work, with friends, shopping – living essentially an apparently normal life without having to share or explain the treatment of cancer. I have always been very open on my cancer journey to help others, but there are times when I prefer that it is not at the forefront of my brain, and a cold cap has helped this.

Disadvantages The first cap is cold! I remember feeling a little dizzy with the very first cap for the first 10 minutes, but I refused to tell anyone because I was determined to use these caps! My scalp finally got used to cold, and fortunately, I managed the coldness. Each [cold cap] The company has a specific protocol for hair care between treatments. For mine, I waited for three days to wash my hair after treatment, then I washed it every two to three days. I could wet my head on the unwashed days if necessary. There is a lot of maintenance between infusions: minimal touch or brushing, no heat (I could use at low dry content) and no horse tails, braids, hats or everything that will stress on your scalp and hair follicles.

Biggest lesson Every moment of cancer taught me to appreciate simple things. Wash my hair with lukewarm water, brush my hair, wear horse tails, play with my hair, get scalp massages, wear hats – none of this was allowed during the cold ceiling, because you do not want to add tension or trauma to your hair follicles. I no longer take these simple measures for granted!

Advice for other women with hair loss The cold cap is certainly not for everyone. You need work and commitment. There is no guarantee that it will work, or how much [hair] You may or may not lose. But that gives you another option, which I am grateful. I had a friend to go through a treatment shortly after me who chose not to make a bite and let her hair fall. She made an informed decision that worked better for her! You are doing.