Silly things people have said to you

When I expressed my sadness about my bald head, my sister said, "you are so lucky you get to have a pixie cut now".

Anyway, now that I finally have a "pixie cut", I went to the website of a young woman who demonstrated how she styles her post chemo hair to feel more feminine. And looking down at the comments, I see that someone has said that this is not a good hairstyle because it looks way too  "lesbianic".

Yes, I can also say that the "Oh you look so well! Your skin looks amazing!" and "Your hair looks great!' comments really started wearing thin but the corker for me was when I returned to work part time and a collegue came up to me, patted me on the back and said "Are you all better now?" I had started on Tamoxifen and was really struggling with mood swings and volcanic PMT-like symptoms and I could have ripped her head off! I look back now and shake my head in disbelief that any woman could be so patronising and naive. Oh well thankfully for every thoughtless comment there are many other supportive ones!

Had a great one the other day. My 2IC at work was handing out the 'Tea money' bill -$60 for the year if you are full-time.  I have been off work for 2 1/2 Terms and she handed it to me ans said 'You may not have to pay the whole thing. I think you've been away a bit??" Now you'd think that as a Year 1 teacher the Deputy may have noticed I wasn't there!! I just walked away and cracked up laughing. So now some other colleagues are laughing with me -'Did you enjoy your tropical island? We thought you'd been missing a little..."etc Oh deary me!

Had a great one the other day. My 2IC at work was handing out the 'Tea money' bill -$60 for the year if you are full-time.  I have been off work for 2 1/2 Terms and she handed it to me ans said 'You may not have to pay the whole thing. I think you've been away a bit??" Now you'd think that as a Year 1 teacher the Deputy may have noticed I wasn't there!! I just walked away and cracked up laughing. So now some other colleagues are laughing with me -'Did you enjoy your tropical island? We thought you'd been missing a little..."etc Oh deary me!

I must admit that so many comments rang so many ways. I realised that we make a huge effort and put a lot of energy into 'presenting' ourselves when going out to work, shops, social things or whatever and people do say "You look well" if they can. It has me starting to answer now "Yes I look fine and am getting my energy back BUT. . I spend a lot of time resting at home and there are still many things I can't do that I thought I would be able to do again now. So. .I'm 'getting there' slowly" I often have to take a step back myself and say 'stop and look after yourself'

Often you don't think of things to say until you are back home. I don't want to tell my story to everyone who asks and after all these months I'm sure many are sick of overhearing any explanations.

And I also find myself looking at other women with the short, grey hair and sometimes we exchange a look -you can tell if it is a little nod of acknowledgment "yep -been there, best wishes" with no words said -a tiny spiritual connection in the world to help us!

Also had a friend say 'I'm joking but I wish I could have had all that time off' -and now I realised that all of us here have been having cocktails and massages on some tropical island (boy I thought it was just yukky chemo and radiation -got my facts wrong there!) -ahh ya gotta laugh!

Smiles to all :) Sue

I must admit that so many comments rang so many ways. I realised that we make a huge effort and put a lot of energy into 'presenting' ourselves when going out to work, shops, social things or whatever and people do say "You look well" if they can. It has me starting to answer now "Yes I look fine and am getting my energy back BUT. . I spend a lot of time resting at home and there are still many things I can't do that I thought I would be able to do again now. So. .I'm 'getting there' slowly" I often have to take a step back myself and say 'stop and look after yourself'

Often you don't think of things to say until you are back home. I don't want to tell my story to everyone who asks and after all these months I'm sure many are sick of overhearing any explanations.

And I also find myself looking at other women with the short, grey hair and sometimes we exchange a look -you can tell if it is a little nod of acknowledgment "yep -been there, best wishes" with no words said -a tiny spiritual connection in the world to help us!

Also had a friend say 'I'm joking but I wish I could have had all that time off' -and now I realised that all of us here have been having cocktails and massages on some tropical island (boy I thought it was just yukky chemo and radiation -got my facts wrong there!) -ahh ya gotta laugh!

Smiles to all :) Sue

I must admit i have noticed women, whilst im in a public area,  around my age with very short hair, or scarves and i wonder about cancer and send blessings...