Has anyone lost their hair twice within 6 months?

vtraynor
vtraynor Member Posts: 3
in Breast Cancer #1

I've been undergoing cancer treatment since March.  I've undergone 16 weeks of chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol) followed by a bilateral mastectomy.  The chemo had completely erradicated the cancer because the pathology report on all of the removed tissue was negative.  Since I was HER2 positive I am also on Herceptin for 12 months.  It's been about 6 weeks since my last chemo treatment and my hair is growing back in nicely.  I have two more chemo treatments scheduled and I know that it will knock my hair out again.  Will it grow back a second time?  I am really reluctant to take the last two treatments since the pathology report was negative.  Will there be a benefit?

 

VT

Comments

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #2
    There's a reason you're having the protocol recommended

    but everything is open for discussion with your oncologist and changes can be made if medically appropriate.   I do know a few folks who had a similar protocol and their hair is just fine today.   Your pathology report was only on what was removed. It's gone, but when cancer cells take up residence in other parts of your body, it can act differently.  The thing is, you don't know and neither does your oncologist, whether there are any microscopic cells hiding out elsewhere. Your questions are valid and your oncologist should have an answer for you.

    I did not have the same protocol as you - I had a "gentle" chemotherapy,  4 cycles of Taxotere and Cytoxin, and I have permanent hair loss.  It happens very very rarely with some treatments and it has been devastating.  However, I have never regretted having had chemotherapy and even if I had been guaranteed this would happen, I still would have done it.  The risk of cancer returning was something I wanted to avoid.  Please do not let your hair loss dictate whether or not to complete your treatments.  Base your decision on an open discussion with your oncologist about your medical issues.

    There are so many unknowns and so many risks on this journey. Best of luck to you.

    Suzanne 

     

  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #3
    I have lost my hair twice

    I have lost my hair twice once in 2010 first Dx and then my cancer came back last Aug. I'm back on chemo for the last year. I lost my hair again then a funny thing happened. While still on chemo it started to grow back. About the 4th or 5th month and it kept growing slowly but growing. I am on the chemo pill now ( Xeloda ) I take it two weeks on and one off. I haven't had any more hair loss. It will come back. Don't worry.

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #4
    Mine is coming back for the 3rd time.
    I lost it in 2011 , came back mid 2012, then lost it in Mar 2013, and wih my initial dx in 2002. I has always come back, however, thin on top. I always had so much hairso this was a surprise.
    Now it is coming in again, curly and straight, and this time my 'bald spot is coming in??? It is only about 1/2 inch, but I will he hapy just to have hair, period.
    Cute , true story. I was in walmart getting dogfood. This little boy looked at me over and over, finally sai,'hi sir!'. he was so cute and trying so hard to be polite, his grandma was so embarrased until I laughed and congradulated her on how polite he was! I thought it was so cute. He looked like the little kid on the commercial who walks through the wet cement that the older man is smoothing! Pure innosence! I loved it.
  • vtraynor
    vtraynor Member Posts: 3
    #5
    Thanks for all of the words

    Thanks for all of the words of enouragement.  I need them.

    VT

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