I haven’t updated about my hair in a while. It’s been an interesting progression of hair loss. You may remember I used the Paxman scalp cooling cap during chemo to help reduce hair loss. I was told upfront that it works better with certain types of chemotherapy, and they don’t make any guarantees about keeping all your hair.

The scalp cooling worked great through my first 12 weeks of chemo. I barely lost any more hair than usual. During the next round of the more intense chemo, I was told the scalp cooling wouldn’t be as effective because of the stronger meds, but that since I already had the cap, it was worth a shot. I didn’t lose too much more hair during those 8 weeks either.

Ironically in the weeks AFTER chemo, my hair started coming out more and more, and I’m continuing to lose a lot on a daily basis. And although I am starting to get some regrowth, it’s going to take a looong time to get my usual length of hair back.

This is what my hair looks like now. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I wear headbands a lot.

I discovered they make fake “messy buns” and I was able to get one I love! It adds a lot of volume.

I also found out insurance would reimburse me for a wig, so I just got one today! It’s going to take some getting used to, but I like it!! I’m pretty sure my natural hair never looked this good. 😂😂

I’ve been meaning to update about my hair and the scalp cooling process. You’ve probably seen in my pictures how I’m wearing a cold cap during chemo. It’s technically a scalp cooling system. Here is a pretty good overview if you’re interested in learning more: https://www.paxmanusa.com/patients/scalp-cooling-overview/

I’m glad I signed up for it. Emotionally I think it makes me feel better because I still have most of my hair. I think it makes me feel more like myself and more in control.

The scalp cooling is not fun though, for the record. I’m hooked up to a machine that keeps the cap very cold, which is uncomfortable, especially at the top of my forehead where the cap comes down over bare skin. They suggest wearing a headband and sometimes I put gauze up under the cap to help relieve pain on my forehead. I have to wear the cap 30 minutes before treatment, all during treatment, and 60 minutes after. The first few times it really bothered me, but I’m pretty used to it at this point.

My hair is definitely thinning a bit now, but if I wasn’t doing the scalp cooling I would have been completely bald after the first few treatments. It’s discouraging when lots of hair comes out in the shower or if Ellie pulls my hair and a clump comes out 🤦🏼‍♀️ but what can ya do. I’d say I still have about 80-90% of my hair, and if I part it carefully you can’t see where it’s thinning as much on top. Pretty successful! Hoping not too much more will come out in the last month of chemo. We’ll see.

Arm and leg hair is pretty much gone, but I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes for now! Not sure why, but I’ll take it. If the eyebrows go, which one of you is going to teach me how to fill them in with make up?? 😜

All in all, I’m glad I’m doing the scalp cooling. It’s relatively new for cancer care and I’m glad it was an option for me. 👍🏻