Monika

Diagnosis: Breast cancer
Chemotherapy regimen: Adriamycin/Cytoxan (4), Taxol (12)
Total treatments: 16

When I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of thirty, every doctor I met with recommended a mastectomy, surgery, and 16 rounds of chemotherapy, because of my type of cancer, my age, and how aggressive the cancer was.

Knowing that not only would I have to undergo these intensive procedures but that I would likely also lose my hair as a result of the chemotherapy, devastated me. My hair is very much a part of my identity and it was difficult for me to accept that an integral part of who I am would be changing.

It was my oncologist who told me that losing my hair was not a foregone conclusion and that there were options, such as scalp cooling, that could help minimize or prevent hair loss. That’s when I discovered The DigniCap Scalp Cooling System.

Reflecting back, I realize how lucky I was to have kept most of my hair during chemotherapy, and as a result, take control of my privacy during and after treatment. This amazing technology gave me the ability to look and feel like myself and gave me confidence to attend social events and travel with my husband after treatment. Breast cancer took so much from me, but I didn’t let it steal my confidence or privacy. There were even times when I was able to forget that I was a cancer patient.

I was inspired to create my Instagram account, @canceratthirty, to share my journey with the online community, and to speak about my success with the DigniCap and everything it’s done for me. I think it’s important for people to know that they can keep their hair when undergoing chemotherapy. There are options, and they actually work!

It’s been a long journey, but my hair has been with me, thanks to DigniCap.