Testimony

Testimony by Nathalie Bédard

Accounting Technician

Saint-Jérôme Regional Hospital, Docetaxel / Pertuzumab / Trastuzumab

2025

“I looked healthy, and very few people realized I was undergoing chemotherapy.”

Before

During

After

In 2016, I was diagnosed with HER2-negative breast cancer in my right breast, with six lymph nodes affected and metastases. I underwent chemotherapy treatments (with complete hair loss, which, at the time, I coped with quite well), two surgeries, and radiation therapy. I remained in remission for 8 years. However, in April 2024, following a pancreatic scan, metastases were discovered in my thorax and lungs. I had to start chemotherapy again in February 2025. Since I really did not want to lose my hair again, and now that I have a 4-year-old grandson, I did not want him to see that his grandmother was sick. Also, for my own morale, to maintain a positive mindset during treatment and to avoid looking unwell again as much as possible, I decided to try scalp cooling. I used it for five treatments over a four-month period. It worked well for me, with only partial hair loss, and I still had enough hair for my appearance to remain natural. In short, I looked healthy, and very few people realized I was undergoing chemotherapy. It made this stage of my life more manageable, more acceptable, and easier for me, my partner, and my family. My partner supported me tremendously and helped me use the system properly, including handling the dry ice, changing the caps every 25 minutes, and applying them correctly. Yes, it is cold, but for me, it was worth it. During treatments, I wore a neck warmer, warm blankets, and slippers to keep my body warm. When the treatments were completed, since I still had some hair, regrowth happened naturally and gradually through the hair that remained. It was much faster to regain my previous hair. At times, I share my experience of the positive impact the scalp cooling had on me, both mentally and physically. — Nathalie

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