Deborah’s Story

Before my breast cancer diagnosis in February 2024 my long blonde hair was my identity and my security blanket. When I was told I would need to have 6 rounds of chemotherapy as part of my post-surgery treatment, the thought of losing my hair petrified me. To prepare for losing my hair I had my long hair cut into a bob but within a month of starting the chemotherapy, I noticed my hair thinning. I thought long and hard about the cold cap but decided against it. The side effects of the chemotherapy I struggled with a lot and personally I did not want to add to that.  

In the space of a 48-hour period, very significant handfuls of my hair fell out, it was incredibly tough. At that point, I had to take control and got my husband’s clippers and shaved the rest off! I cried my eyes out, but it gave me a glimmer of control again. And actually, I wasn’t as scared as I thought I’d be when I looked in the mirror for the first time at my ‘skinhead’ look! 

During the rest of my chemo, I struggled. The remaining hair on my head was just horrible fluff and my face was terribly swollen from the medication. Anytime I saw my reflection, I wanted to sob. Friends and family were so unbelievably kind but at times being told “don’t worry/don’t look so sad, it’ll grow back”, it didn’t help, I just felt broken, no identity and my confidence shattered. I kept reminding myself the reasons for the treatment and all those positives but when you are in the 'eye of the storm', feeling the most ill you have ever felt in your life, it's so unbelievably hard. I invested in a wig and called her ‘Wonder’ as she was a very complicated wonder to put on and to get ‘her’ to look as natural as possible. But on days when I felt well enough, I did make the effort to wear her, and she gave me a little confidence back. The chemo nurses even complimented me as to how natural she looked, but soon she became too much, sore and uncomfortable, so then I just wore turban beanie hats. I was just desperate to get some of my own hair back. I finished my chemotherapy at the end of  September 2024, and I was so relieved when I saw a little sign of regrowth.  

There was an advertisement for Hair Reborn on the chemo ward I attended (Nottingham City). I had contacted Lina via the form on their website and received a call from her to chat more about how the charity operates. Lina was so friendly, reassuring, knowledgeable and kind. It gave me something to look forward to and eased my concerns about managing regrowth. My own hairdresser no longer worked at my usual salon so knowing Lina was going to put me in contact with not only a very experienced hair stylist, but also one who understands so much about hair regrowth post cancer treatment, meant so much to me.  

Philippa at Dudley’s (Nottingham) has been an absolute star, I will be forever thankful. From my first appointment when my hair was still very short, patchy fluff regrowth, still bald in places., she put me at ease. My first appointment we sat in a private area. She talked through the regrowth stages and gave me so much advice and guidance whilst tidying up the little bit of hair on my head. It made such a huge difference and by my second appointment 9 weeks later, I was so excited to attend. We sat in the main salon area with other clients, and I could see the start of a (albeit very short) pixie cut. By the time of my third and final haircut last week, I am slowly getting used to my short hair. I won’t lie, some days it is a ‘love hate’ relationship with this new style having had long hair for years, but I am forever thankful that it’s grown back and with the help of Hair Reborn and Philippa, I am learning to love my new short hair.