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Cinderwee View Drop Down
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    Posted: Feb 07 2011 at 9:39pm
An onco nurse has recommended I NOT shave my head due to the type of regimen (Taxol 1x week x 12 weeks) I'll be having.  She says it will start to thin out 2-3 weeks after initial infusion.  I'm curious if there are any pros/cons to allowing this vs. shaving my head before it starts falling out.  Also, is there some type of scalp skin moisturizer that should be used once bald?
Cindy 46
DX 11/29/10
Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2-
<1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg
No BRCA
Lumpectomy 12/28/10
MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14
Taxol/Her x12 DONE!
CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23
Continue Her Mar2012
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123Donna View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 07 2011 at 10:07pm
Cindy,

Your nurse is probably correct.  You may not lose your hair on Taxol.  My friend had Carbo/Taxol and she didn't lose her hair, it just thinned.  She never had to wear the wig she bought.  I'd wait to see what happens before you decide to shave your head.

When I lost my hair during Cytoxan/Taxotere, I used baby shampoo on my scalp. 

Donna
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15

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Cinderwee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cinderwee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 07 2011 at 10:19pm
Thank you Smile
Cindy 46
DX 11/29/10
Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2-
<1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg
No BRCA
Lumpectomy 12/28/10
MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14
Taxol/Her x12 DONE!
CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23
Continue Her Mar2012
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Cinderwee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cinderwee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 10 2011 at 9:20pm
It started coming out Friday after my 3rd infusion, and more so on Saturday.  No bald patches, just definite thinning.  I am noticing red welt type bumps on (primarily) my head, and a couple on my face and back.  They are not pimples, but they are sore.  Could this be an allergic (they don't itch) reaction to the Taxol, or just a side effect?  Apologies for being so graphic, but there's no other way to describe what's happening.

Thank you, 
Cindy 46
DX 11/29/10
Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2-
<1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg
No BRCA
Lumpectomy 12/28/10
MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14
Taxol/Her x12 DONE!
CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23
Continue Her Mar2012
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Martha View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Martha Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 10 2011 at 9:51pm
Cindy,
You need to let your physician know, it could be allergic reaction. I hope you will call them on Monday and let them know. Please keep us updated. Wishing you the best possible outcome.
Warm Hugs,
Martha
Dx 10/08;mastect 11/08; T2/N1/M0;TACX6;rads 5-6/09; recur 11/09;recur 3/10; xeloda + Ixempx5;recur 1/11; gem + carbo + iniparib 2/11; BRCA1/2 -; dx prog 1/12; Havalen Mar Apr 12;Abraxane, May-present.
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Barbi View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Barbi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 11 2011 at 9:27am
Cinderwee,
I would certainly check with the doc, but taxol caused my arms to rash bad enough, I still have brown spots 3 months later.  Getting better, but still a little unsightly.
Barbi
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trip2 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trip2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 12 2011 at 7:34pm
Cindy yes you need to call your Onc's office with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your treatment or what is happening.  I found the chemo nurses to be quite helpful when I called, let us know.
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007
BRCA 1+
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ghostie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 14 2011 at 10:07am
I also stuck to baby shampoo only, and afterwards used a small amount of jojoba oil. The oil is really gentle and not greasy. Never had problems with chafing or rashes or anything, despite wearing a wig almost all the time.
I think it's probably better to wait to shave your head, because it's tougher to shave hair than you would think! If it's already thinned out a little (or a lot) it will be less difficult. Best wishes!
Age 49, DX 8/27/09, 1.8cm, Stage I, Grade 3; lumpectomy 9/21/09, clear margins, 2 nodes removed, BRCA2+, Oncotype score 67. Finished 4 DD A/C + 4 DD Taxol on 3/18/10. Completed radiation in June 2010
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cinderwee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 17 2011 at 9:02pm
Had it buzzed yesterday...feels odd...but good.  And I'm cold, but prepared.  As for wigs, I like the way I look and may just show up at work tomorrow without one.
The red bumps are a reaction to the Taxol, my onco prescribed a lotion that I apply to them 2x daily.

Happy Sunday,




Edited by Cinderwee - Apr 17 2011 at 9:07pm
Cindy 46
DX 11/29/10
Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2-
<1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg
No BRCA
Lumpectomy 12/28/10
MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14
Taxol/Her x12 DONE!
CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23
Continue Her Mar2012
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Martha View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Martha Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 17 2011 at 11:08pm
Cindy,
So glad the red bumps sound minor and nothing big. Good for you! You are so much braver (is that even a word?) than I am. I hated losing my hair. I didn't stop wearing hats, wigs, etc. until my hair was at least 6 or 7 inches long again. I didn't like the bald look for me....but I'm old! Hope the rest of your treatments go well.
Take care,
Martha
Dx 10/08;mastect 11/08; T2/N1/M0;TACX6;rads 5-6/09; recur 11/09;recur 3/10; xeloda + Ixempx5;recur 1/11; gem + carbo + iniparib 2/11; BRCA1/2 -; dx prog 1/12; Havalen Mar Apr 12;Abraxane, May-present.
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tninalabama View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tninalabama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 18 2011 at 9:17pm
Cindy, I have found cotton bandanas to be the most comfortable. They breathe. I also wear scarves and wigs, depending on my mood. My daughter, who's 12, would die of embarrassment if I went out bare-headed. I use a washcloth with a mild soap on my scalp. I hope you only have to go through this once. 
Pam
Dx 11/07,stII bgr3,1/8+, metaplastic, recurrence 11/09, lymph dis 12/13+ 07/10, rad,x28 9/10,02/11 mets

BRCA neg
5-FMC since 03/12
PET 04/12,no progression
Bone scan clear 06/12
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