Stage One Her2

susangood

I just found out today what my treatment will be. I think I have chemo brain before I even start my therapy.  I will start next week for Taxol and Herceptin once a week for 3 months.  I am so concerned about losing my hair!  I hate to sound so vain, but it makes me sick just thinking about it.  I never thought it would be me.... any words to help?

CoastalMom

 I still have Chemo Brain really bad!!!!  I cannot multi task at all.  They say it does get better.  Ive seen no improvment whatsoever.

CoastalMom

Hair Loss

I was diagnosed last July with her2+ was on TCHP cocktail every three weeks,  totalling a 6 weeks cycle.  It was rough,  I am not going to lie.  I lost right much of my hair.  The day after I was told exactly the plan,  we went out and ordered my wig.  I am so glad I did.  I just finished up with herceptin 2 weeks ago.  Ive been in treatment a full year,  including surgery and radiation.  My hair is growing back but I have not got to the point where I go without my wig on a daily basis, yet.  I am scheduled to have my hair colored the end of the month and at that time I'll put my wig away.  Good luck to you!!  Go ahead and order your wig now.  I ordered mine locally from a wig shop but I've looked on line at wigs.com. Once you get used to wearing your wig it isn't bad at all.  I've had people tell me they love my hair style,  I gently say,  it is a wig.  They say "really"!!!

kakennedy

Hi Susan,

Hi Susan,

I too am Stage 1A HER2+.  I begin my treatment plan tomorrow.  I will do 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin, then radiation (not sure how much yet), and end with herceptin every three weeks until this time next year.  I have purchased about 5 wigs already just to be ready for the hair loss.  Like you, my hair is VERY important to me - actually my signature!  However, my life is more important!  So, I've had my hair stylist cut and style one of my wigs and it looks just like my hair but thicker.  I seriously doubt others will every know and if they do....well, they should be thankful they have their hair.     I hear being positive is very important to help you stay strong and beat this monster!  God will be holding my hand tomorrow and my faith will see me through this in addition to a very supportive family and small group of friends (I haven't told many people).

Best wishes to you....keep us updated about your progress.

Kathy

CoastalMom

Good luck

Good luck to you both.  God is Faithful and he has blessed me beyond!!!  I'll keep you both in my prayers.  Like you both,  I was Stage 1A.  God held my hand the whole time this past year!  When he says "I'll take care of you",  he WILL take care of you!!!!

Double Whammy

Wigs and wraps

Need any wig advise, message me privately.  I did not wear a wig during chemo.  Your hairloss will be temporary with Taxol and that is such a good thing.  I had Taxotere - my hair did not come back.  So I sort of consider me an "expert" on what's comfortable, styles, construction, etc. as I have now been wearing a wig most of the time since 2010. 

I do want to let you know that there are absolutely beautiful wraps available - and I still wear them, too.  You don't have to look like you have a rag on your head.  During chemo, I considered them an accessory to anything I was wearing.  If someone wants to gift you a beautiful wrap, it's a really good option because they are rather expensive ($50-$75).  My favorites:  turbandiva.com and 4women.com.  I'm good friends with the "turban diva".  She has a background in fashion and design and really has designed versatile and flattering head covers.  I think her styles are my favorites, but I also really like Beaubeaus on the other site.  I actually felt good during chemo wearing these beautiful wraps to compliment an outfit with outstanding earrings, of course.  I actually got brave and bought many large earrings I would never have worn had this not happened.   Check them out.  I can't say enough good things about them and given my permanent situation, I am so happy that I found them.  Initially, they were gifts.  Can you sew?  There are some nice patterns available and with beautiful fabrics, it's just not so bad.  Honest.  And I'm about as vane as one can get, even at my age.

Oh, BTW, you will lose ALL of your body hair.  My eyelashes stayed until the end, but jumped off my eyes right AFTER chemo.  Go figure.  I even learned how to apply false lashes when my daughter (also in fashion) said to me, "Mom, we need to get you some eyelashes!"  We went to an Ulta store and I had them apply the lashes and show me how.

Suzanne

Iris_G

My hair loss

I was diagnosed last July 2015 with IDC.  I was told at first that I would just have to do radiation and then Tamoxifen.  Until my lump came back ER+/PR+/HER2+...then everything changed.  When I heard the onco say "chemo", I froze.  My first thought was my hair.  Then I thought...oh well, I can buy hair, but I can't buy another life. 

I was one of those who refused to wear a wig.  Since I lost my hair in December and it's a little chilly here in GA during the winter, I did wear a beanie outside, but as soon as I got inside, off it came!  I have to admit that it was pretty freeing not having to worry about bad hair days!  I had enough to worry about as it was!  My eyebrows/lashes didn't come out until I had my last chemo in February.  They're just now coming back in enough to actually be noticeable.  But the upside for me?  My hair was so thin before my hair loss, but it seems to be coming back in thicker since my chemo!