Not what I wanted to hear

 Hi Tracey

I reside in Melbourne as well - Northern Suburbs.  I am having my chemo treatment at the Northern Hospital which runs the Look Good Feel Better sessions each month.  Mine is scheduled for 1st December.  Perhaps your local hospital may also run this program internally - worth asking the question?  You can borrow wigs through this programme at no cost.  Alternatively, there is a place called "celebrity wigs" around Melbourne - don't have the exact address at hand as I write, where you can purchase a wig for an average of $180 if you are willing to spend.  Colleagues at my work have also advised that you can buy wigs on-line for a fraction of the price of celebrity wigs.  The choice is yours . . . I preferred the borrow option as my budget cannot accommodate the purchase.

If you are unable to book into the next session, do not worry as the hair loss does not occur immediately from what I have been told.  I have been advised hair loss occurs somewhere after the second treatment to the third treatment.  Apparently the hair starts thinning gradually so it won't be as drastic as you might be thinking. 

I think you should continue working at the kindergarten if that's what you would like to do.  I am sure you will find the families, the kids, the teacher and the president more than accommodating as there are a lot of people in the same situation as us and I'm sure they would rather have you at work for your well being.

My daughter goes to childcare - she has just turned 4 but still in pre-kinder this year.  When I found out that I would have to undergo chemo and the hair loss effect that is expected, I discussed this with my daughter's teacher and the director of the centre to ascertain their views / opinions.  I didn't want to scar the kids walking in to pick up my daughter with a scarf or bandana on my head.  To my surprise, they both advised of parents whom are already in this situation already at the centre and that alleviated all my concerns.

I hope this helps.

Penni