Testimony

Testimony by Marie-Pascale Boudreau

Marketing Director

CHUM, 12 TC (Taxol-Carboplatin), weekly, followed by 4 AC (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide) every 3 weeks

2024-2025

The cold cap gives you a sense of normalcy during a time when everything feels upside down. No, it’s not always easy. Yes, it’s demanding. But if you can afford it—or find support to access it—I truly hope you do. Because after chemo, you’re not starting over from zero. And that means everything.

Avant

Pendant

Après

A year ago to the day, I received my diagnosis: triple-negative breast cancer. It was March 28, 2024, an unforgettable date. What followed was intensive chemotherapy: 12 weekly treatments of Taxol-Carboplatin (TC), followed by 4 cycles of AC (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide—also known as the Red Devil), every three weeks. All of this accompanied by immunotherapy, following the Keynote 522 protocol. **If you’ve just received your diagnosis, know this: you are not alone.** Here’s a very personal account of my journey, focused on a topic that isn’t talked about nearly enough: hair preservation during chemo. **A few general tips:** - Give yourself the gift of the book [https://amzn.to/43iCyVO](Un cancer en cadeau : apprendre, comprendre et s'outiller pour agir) at the start of your journey. It became my bible—full of questions to ask, advice, and reassurance. - Try to assess your natural hair loss a week or two before starting treatment. Knowing what’s “normal” for you will help you better understand what happens during and after chemo. - I had been blonde for the last 10 years, though I’m naturally brunette. I dyed my hair back to brown beforehand to avoid a harsh contrast as roots grew in. **Cold cap: stress and relief** Using a cold cap is physically and emotionally demanding—especially with weekly chemo like mine. That’s 16 sessions… it’s a lot. And let’s be honest: the stress that comes with the cap is real. There’s the logistics, the fear that it won’t work, and the emotional weight of wanting to keep your sense of self. I had a “bad hair day” nearly every day for months. But today, I’m grateful I kept my hair. The technical stuff: ice and haircare - We tested all kinds of ice: blocks, mixtures, chips… and landed on 100% ice chips—easier to handle and repack. - My routine included [https://www.sephora.com/ca/fr/product/mini-molecular-repair-hair-oil-P506507?skuId=2685709&icid2=products%20grid:p506507:product](K18 oil), a [https://prose.com/](Prose) personalized hair routine, and zero hair ties—not even low ponytails—to prevent breakage. - I slept in a [https://amzn.to/4dxMyxE](silk bonnet) and washed my hair once a week with cold water. - For brows and lashes, I used [https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/P500423](The Ordinary serum), morning and night—it made a difference. **During treatment: what I observed** **Phase 1 – 12 TC (Taxol-Carboplatin)** - Very little hair loss until treatment 11. My hair even continued to grow! - I lost brows and lashes around treatment 10. **Phase 2 – 4 AC (Red Devil)** - More intense hair loss—about 40%—but no bald spots. - The biggest shed came 20 days after the first AC treatment, just like many blogs said. **Post-treatment** - Weeks 5 to 8 after chemo were the worst for hair loss. It was scary. But I kept telling myself: “The worst is behind me. Now it’s time to rebuild.” - I went for a vegetable-based hair dye 7 weeks post-treatment (no extra loss). - At 5 months, I returned to my regular salon for a full-color treatment—ammonia-free. - Next up: keratin extensions! (scheduled 8 months post-chemo) **Final thoughts** The cold cap provides a sense of normalcy when everything feels out of control. No, it’s not always easy. Yes, it’s a lot. But if you can use it—or find help accessing it—I sincerely hope you do. Because after chemo, you don’t start from zero. And that’s a huge gift. If you’re going through this: you’re not alone. There’s a whole community that understands exactly what you’re feeling. Come find me on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/fillesnormales/](@fillesnormales) – I’m launching a podcast and community for young women facing cancer. **Be kind to yourself. One day at a time.**

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Testimony by Marie-Pascale Boudreau

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