@rubysue welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect's lung cancer group! Hi. I'm the mentor for this group and it sounds as if you have had other chemo treatments prior to this. Will you tell me what kind of cancer you have and other chemos treatments when you have the chance?

It's so difficult to tell if someone will lose their hair during chemo. Everyone is so different and reacts so differently. But (yes the big But) from what I've read this is one of those chemos that probably will increase your chances of doing just that. Unfortunately, chemo drugs do a great job in killing cancer cells but they seem to lose track of their job and kill off good cells too.

I didn't lose all of my hair from cisplatin and navelbine. It did thin out some. I paid very close attention to moisturizing my skin, had my nails done and my hair trimmed regularly. I dressed as if I was going to meet friends for coffee or drinks and put makeup on every single day, even when I was home. A friend of mine lost all of her hair and had an artist friend paint her scalp!

I don't know how soon you begin your new regime but you could ask one of the nurses about self-care workshops that teach make-up and other great hacks.

In preparation for my chemo, my hairdresser volunteered to come to my house to shave my head. Just before she was about to make the first cut with her always sharp scissors, (towel around my shoulders, hair wet and chair out on the back deck) she suddenly asked, "Do you know if the chemo will cause hair loss?" WHAT? they all don't? She advised me to call my infusion nurse and speak to her. I got right through to her and she said, "Not always!" So I got a free blow-dry and we had a glass of wine to celebrate. lol

I was definitely scared and apprehensive but I knew that the Cancer Society had an array of wigs and I believe headscarves. Have you spoken with anyone about free workshops to help with this?