IZABELA, 56 years old, midwife. Has 4 adult daughters, a boyfriend, and lives in Malmö. Had breast cancer in 2025 and received 7 x Docetaxel chemotherapy treatments.
When Izabela was diagnosed with breast cancer, she quickly knew she would have to undergo chemotherapy. She had found the lump in her breast herself, and it was large. "When I felt the lump, I knew I was there. I knew what I was in for." Nevertheless, the news was a shock.
WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU TO KEEP MOST OF YOUR HAIR AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY?
The hardest part for her was not the thought of the treatment - but the thought of her family. She is a mother of four adult daughters and a grandmother to a small grandchild. One day, her daughter came home with her grandchild."She ran to me and said: 'Grandma, I've missed you so much.' We had only been apart for a week."
That sentence stuck with her."I thought: If she misses me so much after a week - what if I wasn't here?"
For Izabela, it was very important to be able to keep her hair during chemotherapy. "It meant a lot to me to be able to use the cold caps." It meant that the feeling of illness didn't take up quite as much space - neither for herself nor for her family around her. "That feeling of being sick becomes less when you can still be the woman you are."
When she was with her daughters and grandchild, everyday life could focus more on them and on life - not just on the illness. For her, the cold caps therefore became an important part of getting through the process. "The cold caps helped me a lot through that journey."
WHAT DOES YOUR HAIR MEAN TO YOU?
For Izabela, hair wasn't just about appearance. It was about being able to maintain a sense of self during a difficult time. "Keeping your hair and looking like yourself - that means a lot." She also found that many women are not even informed about the possibility of cold caps. "It's a shame that women don't get the offer. Many don't even know it exists."
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH COLD CAPS?
Izabela found Rapunzel herself, after hearing about cold caps through others. "When I found Rapunzel, I just thought: YES!"
It was quick to get hold of them. Her boyfriend picked up the cold caps so they could start right away. "It was so easy and pleasant to use." She also experienced that it was easy to get help and contact. "My experience with Rapunzel is positive and efficient. It was easy to get in touch and maintain contact."
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SUPPORT FOR YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY - BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND PRACTICALLY?
Izabela experienced great support from both family and friends. Her daughters and her boyfriend were with her throughout the entire process. "My boyfriend took care of all the practical things - he picked up the cold caps and made sure of the times when the cold caps needed to be changed." This meant she could relax during the chemotherapy treatments.
Also, friends and people around her supported her greatly. A friend made small flower bouquets and collected money for her. "People paid more than she asked for. It was incredible how much support I received."
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS FACING POTENTIAL HAIR LOSS?
If Izabela were to give one piece of advice to other women in the same situation, it would be clear:
Investigate the options yourself. "Trust the staff - but also find your own way." She believes that many women never discover cold caps if they only follow the standard course of treatment. "If I had just waited for the system, I would never have found the cold caps."
For her, it's also about living life during treatment. "Find something you love to do - and do it."
For Izabela, dance became an important part of her way of getting through the process. "I dance bachata, salsa, samba, and belly dance. It brings me joy." She didn't want to just sit at home and wait for time to pass.
So her message is clear. "Live your life. Travel through your journey."