Diagnosis: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Drug regimen: ABVD
Results: Saved 80-90% of her hair
Morgan says:“I finished with an entire head of hair, and I was able to wear my hair down and curled at my wedding just four months later.”
Morgan Lunardi, a 25-year-old interior designer residing in Oklahoma City, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of just 24.
Morgan got married just a few weeks after chemo.
Morgan’ diagnosis and treatment
Her treatment journey involved eight rounds of ABVD chemotherapy, followed by an additional 20 days of radiation therapy focused on her chest, neck, and underarms.
How did you find out about cold capping?
Morgan’s introduction to cold capping came from a friend who had previously faced cancer. Her friend shared her experiences of cold capping and how it had positively impacted her during her cancer journey. Inspired by this personal testimony, Morgan decided to explore cold capping as an option for herself.
“My friend, who battled cancer herself, told me about cold capping. She had first-hand experience using cold caps and, what’s more, saved her hair during treatment. Hearing her story gave me hope that I, too, could retain my hair,” says Morgan.
Why did you decide to go ahead?
For Morgan, the fear of losing her hair took on even greater resonance because she had a wedding planned within the next few months. In addition, preserving her hair wasn’t solely about appearances. Morgan says it was also about maintaining a sense of normality and privacy during such a challenging period.
“I always wanted to maintain my privacy as best I could – I didn’t want strangers at the grocery store looking and feeling bad for me. I wanted to preserve the last small bit of normalcy that I could!” Morgan shares.
Why choose Penguin Cold Caps?
Given her hospital’s lack of machine-based cold capping, Morgan started to research manual cap providers. Among the options, Penguin Cold Caps stood out. Exceptional reviews and impressive results contributed to her decision.
Cheryl, her Penguin representative, played a pivotal role in providing invaluable support and guidance.
“My hospital did not offer machine capping, so we had to turn to researching manual caps. Penguin, by far, had the best reviews and results, and Cheryl, my rep, was unbelievably helpful, so it just felt right!” adds Morgan.
During treatment
How did you find using the cold caps?
Morgan tells us that the first few moments after a cap change were challenging because of the intense cold. However, with time, once she’d got into a manageable routine, it became more bearable. She says that what helped was that throughout her treatment, Morgan’s husband provided unwavering support and took charge of the cap changes.
“The caps are very user-friendly once you get the hang of them; they aren’t the most pleasant during your first and second cap changes, but you get used to it, and my chemo days were smooth sailing!” Morgan recalls.
What were your results?
Morgan says her hair shedding commenced after the second chemotherapy session and persisted for several weeks post-treatment. But despite this, she retained a substantial portion of her hair, which she estimates to be between 80-90%.
“I shed my hair from the 2nd chemo treatment until a few weeks after it was over. I thought there wasn’t going to be any hair left! But I finished with an entire head of hair, and I was able to wear my hair down and curled at my wedding just four months later,” shares Morgan.
Would you recommend to others?
“Absolutely”, says Morgan. She wholeheartedly recommends cold capping to others facing similar challenges. While she suggests hiring a capper for the first and second chemotherapy sessions for peace of mind, she believes that friends or family members can quickly adapt and assist with the process for subsequent sessions.
“Yes! I think that hiring a capper for your first and second chemo treatments would be a great idea to ease your mind, but after that, a friend or family member can get the hang of it pretty quickly!” advises Morgan.
Do you have any tips to offer people thinking about cold capping?
Morgan’s experience led to some valuable tips for those considering cold capping:
- Ensure the caps aren’t excessively cold to prevent frostbite or discomfort.
- Manage the initial discomfort by pacing around and taking deep breaths.
- Emphasize moderation in cap temperature for a more comfortable and safer experience.
“Make sure your caps aren’t too cold – I got frostbite on a small spot on the top of my head, and the hair actually fell out at that spot (it came right back!), but that was completely my fault, and I learned my lesson! Colder doesn’t always equal better!” emphasizes Morgan.
In summary, Morgan’s journey of cold capping with Penguin Cold Caps was instrumental in providing her with a renewed sense of control and privacy during her cancer battle. It allowed her to confront chemotherapy with newfound strength and self-assuredness, ultimately helping her retain a significant portion of her hair.
Get in touch
If you’re about to undergo chemotherapy and want to find out more about cold capping, why not request a callback. Our reps can provide more information, and answer all of your questions. Just click here, complete the form and your local rep will be in touch.