Docetoxel

[Majedsh]

HiWhen does hair start to fall after taking docetaxel please

And I'm planning not to tell my children about their father's pc

Would it work?

Or the change in appearance will be very obvious?

[Seasid]

I would just cut it off all the hair.

[Seasid in reply to Seasid]

I did that in order to save cleaning.

[Majedsh in reply to Seasid]

If he cuts it allWould it work not to tell the children that he's having chemo?

Or the change in appearance can't be hid?

[Seasid in reply to Majedsh]

If you don't cut it they would know. If you cut it just say that you just want to save money on the hair stylist. My 73 years old neighbour is cutting my hair for free and I already saved some money that way. Your husband will look sharp.

[spencoid7 in reply to Seasid]

That is what I did. You can say you are being fashionable

[Majedsh]

ThanksSo other than the hair

They will not notice any change?

[MiRob in reply to Majedsh]

As mentioned cut hair super short. Eyebrows and eyelashes will also fall of at some time. Nails grow more slowly a get a white crossing line from each chemo injection. As the blood count are also effected the skin becomes a bit more pale. But remember it all comes back to normal afterwards. Avoid grapefruit as it has a negative effect on the effectiveness of the chemo.

I had 8 rounds (normal amount of rounds are 6)

Alle the best

[Stevecavill in reply to Majedsh]

in addition to hair loss, I was sick as a dog on chemo. Would have been impossible to hide it

[Brysonal]

I had three lots but opted to be iced head, hands and feet. Very painful especially as I have Reynauds. However no hair loss at all and my 83 year anxious mother has no idea I was diagnosed with the cancer my dad died of.

Literally never told her as no appearance change or symptoms!

[Majedsh in reply to Brysonal]

Thanks and God blessSo you did chemotherapy three times not 6 right?

[Brysonal in reply to Majedsh]

Yes 3 lots as I opted to start with a non standard 3 x Lu-177 which had no side effects and reduce Docetaxel from 6 to 3 therefore.

Fulled iced to protect hair and nails

[Mbnm in reply to Brysonal]

Brysonal…so you did 3 Lutetium Pluvicto followed by 3 chemo docetaxel…never seen that approach…this was after abiraterone failed ? Where are u ?

[Brysonal in reply to Mbnm]

Hi there, no failure of Abiraterone. Not had it but opted for Apalutamide as my advanced hormone.

I am still hormone sensitive.

I opted to try Ly-177 as a first line treatment alongside degerelix. I had to travel to Finland to get this option.

First line treatment for me was

Degerelix injections and 3 x Lu-177

Then I had 3 x chemo, 20x VMAT, 2 x Brachytherapy, SBRT on stubborn bone mets. finally I added in Apalutamide which I still take as a monotherapy.

7 months of ‘throw the kitchen sink at it’ to go undetectable on PSA and scans.

When undetetectable I opted into OVM 200 vaccine clinical trial at phase 1 a

No idea what did what

[Brysonal in reply to Majedsh]

my grown up children do want to know it all. It’s only my mum I have never told.

[Prelki]

I don’t know how young your children are, but if they are teens and older, might they feel angry or betrayed if their father is sick and no one tells them? That is your decision, of course, but just something to consider. All the best to your husband, you and your family.

[Majedsh]

Yes you are right, but my 16 years old daughter has her externals on May😔

[Ol19 in reply to Majedsh]

Bless her, she doesn't need that extra stress. She will know soon enough.

[Stoneartist]

Dont see why you want to keep it from the children. I call it a condition not a deseqse - and its not a death sentence. Being open about it makes it easier to handle - for everyone. I posted on facebook as I cut off my hair - one half side at a time - great amusement all round - and I have a lot of curly hair!!

[Majedsh in reply to Stoneartist]

Thanks for your positivity, God bless you

[Stoneartist]

Funny coincidence - look what popped up on my facebook today::

Selfie of my first hair loss with chemo

[spencoid7 in reply to Stoneartist]

Omg you look just like me but my hair was purple

[Tall_Allen]

A cold cap might preserve his hair.

[Tbo29 in reply to Tall_Allen]

True, lost a bit, but most of is still there.

[Warra in reply to Tbo29]

True. Cut his hair short. Use a cold cap during whole time of chemo. I did not put the cap of, not for a second. Did not lost my hair (10 highest doses docetaxel every 3 weeks). I don't want my grandchildren (10 and 8 yo) to know. Not so easy to tell them. What is going on in those little minds? In the meantime it's 8 years ago...Note: Docetaxel is hard stuff:at the slightest fever drive to the clinic as soon as possible

[CRPCMan]

You guys doing this are the toughest on the planet.

[Irun]

you may or may not lose your hair , I lost mine ….. everywhere ! About the 3rd 4th session .

However telling your children is important for the reasons as someone said earlier plus your moods may change , you may have sudden outbursts or be withdrawn or on some days just can’t be bothered . If you don’t tell them and they see these changes it may cause other issues .

I told mine all together 2 days after diagnosis , I just said it was incurable but I was having treatment and felt fine . That other than the treatment nothing was changing soon . My kids were 9,14 and 16 .

[JJFR60]

I used a cold cap . A bit painful at the start but worth it . Just lost my beard. But when that started growing again I knew I was on the road to recovery.

Ps : do tell your children, mine have been of great assistance to me and my relationship with them has deepened during this cancer trip .

[RunningViv]

Hi Majedsh, my husband’s hair didn’t fall out but it did turn white and now 2 years later it’s back to grey again. My husband had a bloated face and looked extremely unwell. He was tired but your children might not notice if they’re very young! If they’re teens or older I’m sure they’ll notice and I’d question why you’re not telling them - ours were 18. 20, 26 and they were a wonderful support. Good luck xx

[Ol19]

We managed to not tell our 11 and 16 year old at the time, 3 months after diagnosis in 2018.Jim didn't lose his hair it just went thinner and his face became fatter with the steroids but he tolerated docetaxel well and the boys didn't pick up on it at the time. Infusion time was whilst they were at school and he didn't spend any days in bed.

It was 3 years into the journey when his PSA rose again and new treatment, Enzultamide was needed that Jim said he couldn't hide it any more and they were then told.

It's so hard to hide it but easier than telling an 11 years old, as we knew he would ask that obvious question and be unset.

Jim is 7 years post diagnosis now and still here thank the Lord.

[Doctorsceptic]

I am sorry to disagree and I don’t know how old your children are, but it is ultimately counterproductive to keep the truth from them. When they do find out they will have more trouble coping with it and are likely to feel angry they were kept in the dark. Postponing it will undermine their trust in you. Their dad’s problem can be broken to them in stages not all at once. I suggest you get help and advice from your family doctor or practice nurse.

[Unlok]

Everyone is different BUT....from personal experience (prostate cancer) my hair thinned continuously during five monthly treatments of docetaxel.

My hair had returned to normal within three months of ending the treatment and it has continued to grow to the extent that I now have more hair than three years before my diagnosis!

Summary : "you never know!"

[Unlok]

Everyone is different BUT..I chose to tell my close family about my diagnosis and treatment by holding a family party last March and choosing a suitable moment to "spill the beans" having asked everyone to sit down for a moment.

They reacted very well. This gathering was all face to face so they could all see my expression and demeanor as I broke the news (in particular that I wasn't angry or upset to be in this new situation) and, in return, I could see the reactions of them all including the grandchildren.

Everyone was told the same story AND at the same time; rather than "ringing round" we could share each others questions and answers immediately. We all "came together" in that moment.

In retrospect it was a very good thing to have done. They gave me a lot of support and encouragement (and it was not an awkward discussion). I was able to smile through it all and explain that I wasn't about to die (not just yet anyway).

The family were told that Grandad might not be able to take part in family occasions with as much energy for a while and might even have to turn down invitations to visit/travel long distances. This resulted in some extra "hugs" and being told to take it easy and take as much time to recover from my forthcoming treatment as I might need, (which I have been doing - ed.)

A year later and I was able to enjoy a family party with them all yesterday Saturday) with enough energy for four hours of fun, having had a good day of rest on Friday. As I write to you I have less energy today but loads of happy moments buzzing round my head.

Summary : Just tell them!

[Wife32]

My husband used an ice cap during chemo and never lost his hair. It thinned and he cut it shorter, but he never lost it so his work associates never suspected a thing.

Best of luck!!

[EdBar]

change will be quite obvious both in appearance and in behavior due to side effects. For me my hair started falling out in clumps after second treatment, I also lost my eyebrows.

Ed

[Professorgary]

not saying you should tell them if you want to try to get this by them without worrying them, but, if they ask be honest.

[dk73]

my husband starting losing his hair in between session 1 and 2. I buzzed it off and he’s kept it short ever since. He’s on his 4th time with chemo: started treatments in 2017.

[Oblivious1]

I had a course of six treatments and used a chemo cooling cap, mitts and socks that I ordered on line. I had minimal hair loss and it also kept my neuropathy from my diabetes to a minimum. Good luck to you!

[Woodstock82]

I had six infusions of docetaxel, on the conventional three-week schedule.

Cycle 1 week 2 I started losing body hair.

Then in the three days before the start of cycle 2 I suddenly lost 80% of my scalp hair. I went ahead and shaved off the remainder.

I was advised that sometimes the hair grows back differently -- color or texture or thickness.

I kept my head shaved until the last chemo. Six weeks later my scalp hair had already grown back a centimeter. It was a little thinner, but the same color, and changed from slightly wavy to actually curly.

Seven weeks after that last infusion I lost half my eyebrows, most of my eyelashes, and most of my nose hairs. The eyebrows didn't look too bad. The lack of eyelashes was a little uncomfortable. The lack of nose hair was really annoying, I was sniffling and having to blow my nose endlessly. Those losses were all very slow to recover.

I advise that it is very unlikely for your children to not notice that he is undergoing chemotherapy. Best to get it out in the open right away, give them time to learn and think and feel and adjust.

[Schwah]

i used a ColdCap. I believe that’s the name of the company. It actually worked well. I saved 90% of my hair. It wasn’t so much ego as the thought of people seeing me bald and then tilting their had and saying, “so sorry” that I wanted to avoid.

Schwah

[Saxophone-time]

falls out two weeks after first cycle. I shaved mine short, but it all fell out. Nice and shiny.

[gsun]

Haven’t has chemo yet. I told all my family except my mom who was 96 at the time of my DX. Didn’t think I would have to. She is very anxious. Well, she is 103 now! May have to tell her as I am becoming resistant.

[ron_bucher]

Unless your body is very rare, docetaxel will cut your energy level in half a couple days after each infusion. In addition to other obvious side effects, your kids will know something is going on with your health.

Telling them you have a manageable condition would be educational for them the more open and honest you are. Trying to hide it may undermine their trust in you and may make them more fearful or stressed or angry.

Are you projecting your fear and stress onto your kids, or are they actually less capable than their peers to handle the truth?

My kids have always appreciated my openness and honesty from the start. It also helped them in their academic education for their medical careers.

[Slugger61]

After 2nd cycle for me .

[petrig]

I shaved my head weeks before the first treatment.Maybe you do the same and tell your loveones you have always wanted to do so(bald) but now you have the courage to do so and try..

[fast_eddie]

I've never received chemo but I am aware of a strategy to prevent damage, including loss of hair on your head. Cut your hair very short. Wear an 'ice cap' on your head while receiving the chemo. Some people include cooling their hands and feet to ward off neuropathy.

cancer.org/cancer/managing-...

[j-o-h-n]

Tell them you've joined the circus...........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[j-o-h-n]

Cleaning up the elephant shit.....My wife keeps insisting that I quit the job but I told her "What and give up show business?"

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Retireddoc]

I had 4 cycles of Taxotere. My head hair began to fall out after the second cycle. I lost much of my body hair but that is likely attributable to the low T from the Lupron. After 4 months of TRT my body hair has grown back. I feel like I am going through a second puberty!

[SsgCulldelight]

Hey don't hide it from your children, they can feel and know the change in your biology, explain it to them where they can understand,. Vibe is everything she they Will pick up on something is diffrent, plus think about it you'd want to know when something is really outta place yes? Ok then it's not a death sentence unless You make it one. Healing is always happening, peace n luv.

[Shams_Vjean]

Our son was in his last semester of law school when I was diagnosed and we chose to wait until he finished his final semester exams before sharing my condition. He was old enough to appreciate us shielding him from the additional stress.

Teens on the other hand can be so unpredictable. Go with your ‘best’ instinct from a place of love, and always lead from that place of caring. And maybe consider that young ones can be more resilient and understanding than we might sometimes give them credit for.

Docetaxal only took away about 50 % of the hair on my scalp. And more on other parts of the body where most everyone else wouldn’t notice. Every person has a different individual reaction to chemo, even though there are some general side effects which many experience.

Best of luck to you and your husband and children!