WE DON'T JUST TRANSFORM WOMEN'S HAIR LOSS WE CHANGE LIVES Louise's chemotherapy story
“To me, losing your hair is such a sign of illness.”
A cancer diagnosis is devastating, but cancer treatment can be just as daunting and distressing for many women, especially the side effect of losing their hair. Our client Louise decided to share her personal story to help other women worrying about hair loss caused by chemotherapy.
“To me, losing your hair is such a sign of illness.”
“I got married in October 2016 and was diagnosed with cervical cancer in January 2017, followed by a hysterectomy in March 2017. Initially I was told the hysterectomy was the end of my treatment, however two weeks after surgery I was told I needed to have chemotherapy because my cancer had been so aggressive and fast growing.
One of the things that bothered me most about having a course of 8 chemotherapy treatments, was the thought that I would lose my hair. To me it is such a sign of illness and if you look poorly, you feel poorly.
Then someone I knew recommended Hair Solved, so I made arrangements to have a consultation accompanied by my friend for support. Unfortunately, that day didn’t go to plan – my friend had an emergency at work, and I had to go on my own. I couldn’t remember the exact name and address and ended up at a company that actually specialised in wigs.
When they explained that they would shave my head and tape a wig on to my scalp I was so upset. It was exactly what I didn’t want! I was hyperventilating and so distressed – my husband was really worried about me. But then we realised I hadn’t gone to the right place and the type of hair loss solution I wanted did exist.”
I wasn’t upset or scared at the thought of chemotherapy, but I was upset and scared at the thought of losing my hair.
I had my Hair Solved consultation with Natalie and she explained that my head wouldn’t be shaved and that I would have my first system before I even started chemotherapy. I remember saying ‘I love you’! I was so grateful, I just felt like I wanted to give her the biggest hug! Knowing that no-one had to see me lose my hair, especially my little boy, made me feel so relieved. It really was the perfect solution, because I wanted to have something that I could sleep in so my little boy wouldn’t be scared if he woke up in the middle of the night.
I made my first appointment to have my Enhancer System fitted before my treatment started. I remember when it was done my husband came to pick me up and he couldn’t believe how amazing it looked and how happy I was. We went straight to a little bar and had champagne as a celebration!
The Enhancer System looks so natural that when I had an appointment with my Oncologist he asked if my hair was coming out, because he couldn’t tell! I hadn’t noticed any hair falling out either. It was only when we lifted my hair up that I could see a patch where I had lost some hair.
The treatment was tough and I had two allergic reactions to the chemo. Within seconds of starting the treatment dose it was burning and so painful, but you have to keep going. I lost all my hair over a period of three months and that was when I had to have the system taped on to hold it in place.
I was visiting Hair Solved more frequently, but it helped my confidence and I just didn’t want to look like I was sick. Having a full head of hair definitely made me feel so much better; it made me feel I could face the cancer treatment.”
“The team at Hair Solved Manchester have been wonderfully supportive and are always there to listen or chat. They make the appointments enjoyable!”