Morning all

Hi Nicole, you definitely have to go at your pace for your situation. I felt u had to work too but guess what - I can't do it. It's too hard and that's OK. I'm free to focus on me and my health now and that's OK too. We're all different and our responses are all different. You just have to do the best for you and you'll know what that is!! Lx

Hi Nicole

You get such good advice on this site don't you.  And you will get through all this just nicely.  All you have to do is get out of bed and see what the new day brings, and if that day ends up crappy, the next will be better!! Just little steps and before you know it you've finished!!

Hey Rowdy, I finished chemo in June and my hair isn't long enough to be curly!!  No fair, and I seem to of developed a cowlick in the middle of my head - the hair sticks up!!  But I think I look interesting.....

Best wishes to you Nicole

Pam

Hi Nicole I managed to work part time through chemo (just!). The first 2 cycles were dreadful and I was hospitalised and couldn't work. They changed one of my chemo' sand that helped but it was still a struggle. Part of it was because financially we couldn't afford for me not to work at all, part of it was I needed some normality in this whole mess and part of it was pure stubbornness on my behalf. Sometimes I think stupidity as well! Fortunately my bosses have been fully supportive and I come and go as I please which helps as there is no pressure to be there. I have just hit week 4 of radiotherapy and the fatigue has really kicked in so I'm taking a couple of extra days at home. I struggled with anxiety throughout chemo as it was different every time I had it. Due to the changes in the drugs they give you, I never really knew what to expect (which for a control freak like me, was very hard to deal with). Just tell the doctors everything! You'll be amazed at the things they can do to help alleviate the side effects. Even things you don't think are side effects, tell them. I struggled at first with the hair loss. I didn't want to wear scarves, my wig annoys me (I only wear it to work) and I didn't want to look like a cancer patient. Well guess what? I am a cancer patient whether I want to be or not and I do look like one! I have ended up just going "nude nut". Part of it is acceptance of the cancer for me, part of it is defiance, almost willing people to say something to me and part of it is I just don't have the energy to worry with anything else. People do stare and some have actually said something (always positive and nice) but I think people do that anyway, regardless of what you have on your head. I have been bald now for probably the last 5 months. My hair is starting to grow back now and probably looks silly but I just don't care anymore. As with a lot of things to do with bc, it is what it is! You will work out what works for you as you go along. It won't be the same as everyone else. Just know that we all have similar experiences but OUR stories are our own. This site is fabulous. No one will judge you and there will always be someone who has had an experience similar to yours. Hang in there. You will get through the chemo, as awful as it is. You will feel like socialising at some point but it's ok if you don't feel like it now. Just be kind to yourself and allow the feelings you feel. Good luck with it all. Karen xox

Hi Nicole I managed to work part time through chemo (just!). The first 2 cycles were dreadful and I was hospitalised and couldn't work. They changed one of my chemo' sand that helped but it was still a struggle. Part of it was because financially we couldn't afford for me not to work at all, part of it was I needed some normality in this whole mess and part of it was pure stubbornness on my behalf. Sometimes I think stupidity as well! Fortunately my bosses have been fully supportive and I come and go as I please which helps as there is no pressure to be there. I have just hit week 4 of radiotherapy and the fatigue has really kicked in so I'm taking a couple of extra days at home. I struggled with anxiety throughout chemo as it was different every time I had it. Due to the changes in the drugs they give you, I never really knew what to expect (which for a control freak like me, was very hard to deal with). Just tell the doctors everything! You'll be amazed at the things they can do to help alleviate the side effects. Even things you don't think are side effects, tell them. I struggled at first with the hair loss. I didn't want to wear scarves, my wig annoys me (I only wear it to work) and I didn't want to look like a cancer patient. Well guess what? I am a cancer patient whether I want to be or not and I do look like one! I have ended up just going "nude nut". Part of it is acceptance of the cancer for me, part of it is defiance, almost willing people to say something to me and part of it is I just don't have the energy to worry with anything else. People do stare and some have actually said something (always positive and nice) but I think people do that anyway, regardless of what you have on your head. I have been bald now for probably the last 5 months. My hair is starting to grow back now and probably looks silly but I just don't care anymore. As with a lot of things to do with bc, it is what it is! You will work out what works for you as you go along. It won't be the same as everyone else. Just know that we all have similar experiences but OUR stories are our own. This site is fabulous. No one will judge you and there will always be someone who has had an experience similar to yours. Hang in there. You will get through the chemo, as awful as it is. You will feel like socialising at some point but it's ok if you don't feel like it now. Just be kind to yourself and allow the feelings you feel. Good luck with it all. Karen xox

Thanks for your reply Deanne. Gosh it's good to talk to you. I can't believe how scary this second round of chemo is. Having been there done that before you'd think I'd be fine. I'm not even back on my feet yet. Starting chemo on the back foot you might say. Not expecting the best time of it. Nicole x

Thanks Tonya. I've actually bought a wig and some hats from them. I just can't find anything cool enough to wear indoors so I can go out to dinner without breaking into a sweat. Have you tried the pre tied scarves? I have tried tying my own but find I'm too hot before I even get out of the house. Nicole x

The girls above are so right- just do what feels right for you.If you don't feel like going out and socializing,then don't.I,for one,couldn't work during bc treatments.I think it's just added pressure not knowing if you'll be ok for work or not.I guess it depends on what sort of work you do and how flexible your boss is.I think more woman DON'T work during treatment than do work. The bald head thing can be a real dilemma in the summer time.I hated being bald- didn't embrace it like some women do.I preferred wearing cotton caps and hats in the heat.I felt I looked less like a cancer patient.I bought them online from USA www.headcovers.com and had them delivered to my door.I totally understand feeling ugly but it's not forever.I would just pile the makeup on and pop on a cap/hat and that would boost my confidence to go out(on the days I felt up to it). You look gorgeous in your pic so I'm thinking you've probably just sunk to average now,not ugly! Big hug, Tonya xx

The girls above are so right- just do what feels right for you.If you don't feel like going out and socializing,then don't.I,for one,couldn't work during bc treatments.I think it's just added pressure not knowing if you'll be ok for work or not.I guess it depends on what sort of work you do and how flexible your boss is.I think more woman DON'T work during treatment than do work. The bald head thing can be a real dilemma in the summer time.I hated being bald- didn't embrace it like some women do.I preferred wearing cotton caps and hats in the heat.I felt I looked less like a cancer patient.I bought them online from USA www.headcovers.com and had them delivered to my door.I totally understand feeling ugly but it's not forever.I would just pile the makeup on and pop on a cap/hat and that would boost my confidence to go out(on the days I felt up to it). You look gorgeous in your pic so I'm thinking you've probably just sunk to average now,not ugly! Big hug, Tonya xx

Hi Nicloe chemo is hard stop thinking that it shouds be easy. I finished mine in june this year and it is still fresh in my mind. I reember being so self consious going out with a scarf on, but I got used to it and I used to laugh at some of the looks I got. Adults stare more, kids just smile at you and look at the colours of your scarf. Hang in there chemo will end and your hair will grow back, mine is soooo curly, have you seen the add on TV when everyone touchs the pregnant womens belly and she buys a t shirt that says hands off, well I need a sign as everyone wants to touch my new hair

New day start fresh xx