I have a feeling the easy bit is over

Hi Meredyth, I finished 18 weeks chemo in May, and the hair loss seemed like the toughest thing to face but it has turned out OK. I have turned it into a game. I have had long hair since I was a small child so had no idea what short hair would look like, let alone no hair. I had it cut before it fell and got so many compliments on the short bob that I realised it might work out OK. Throughout my chemo I made a game of playing dress- ups with hats and scarves so instead of pitying looks, I got compliments on looking so stylish. By the end of treatment I wanted to pass for 'normal' so started wearing wigs most of the time: a free cancer council one and three others I bought on line for around $40 each. So again it is a game, as my wigs are different styles and colours. People I work with say they like to speculate on what colour I will be each day, it seems to give them a fun and accessible way to acknowledge that I am going through something, and we can have a laugh about it. My hair is growing now, soft and nice to feel, but a sort of mousy nothing colour combined with lots of grey, so I am sticking with the wigs for a bit longer at work. I did spend the day bare- headed on Sunday for the first time and no one seemed to notice much. So yes it is traumatic, but my way of coping was to turn it into a game. Now I plan to keep playing with styles and colours when it grows back. For most of us I think it is just about the biggest challenge, but we all find a way to cope and I'm sure you will find the way that works for you, but there will be tears first! Viv xxx