Should I cover my baldiehead?

elisebutt65

Bit of an odd one this. Some of you may have been following my other thread, so know my back story, but basically I'm on the end run of chemo for breast cancer. All my hair has gone (all over my body. Lol).

Anyway, I'm back at work on June 18, part time until the end of term, then full time in September. I teach and am also personal tutor to about 200 students.

I hate covering my head, with wigs, scarves or other headgear. Atm I see my head as my badge of honour IYSWIM? Plus it gets really hot!:o

My OH hates seeing me out with no covering on, so I put up with it for his sake, as he's had to put up with so much other crap lately. I got diagnosed 4 days after we got married and he has been my rock.

Buuuut, I don't want to cover up at work. Oh says I might scare the students, but these aren't children. They're all over 16 and a lot of them have had relatives or other loved ones in the same position. I also think it's sort of educational? I still wear a full face of make up so I don't look too much like Uncle Fester, but I just don't feel like conforming & hiding away the fact of my ordeal. I just don't see why I should cover up because everyone else does?

What do you think? If you were a fellow member of staff or a parent, would you think I should cover up or just be proud to be bald?

Skintski

I think you should do whatever is comfortable for you. As you've said these are not kids and I'd like to think they would support you in your decision given your ordeal. It may take them a little time to get used to it but in the long run I think I'd have a lot of respect for you going without a cover up if I were in your students shoes.

Also if it raises awareness in youngster early in life I fail to see how that could be a bad thing.

tayforth

I agree with Skintski. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Heck, you deserve that!

All the best to you xxx

bestpud

I agree too - whatever makes you feel comfortable.

I wouldn't worry as a parent and I don't think my children would either.

tealady

Hi Its your head, do what you want to do.
If anyone remarks on it just say you are going for the Persis Khambatta look (sadly I see she is dead now). Persis was a stunningly beautiful lady even with her head shaved.

MrsDrink

I agree - do whatever you want to.

amanda47

Why should you cover up ! cancer's nothing to be ashamed off like some sexual disease, you do what pleases you. Good Luck with your treatment.

peachyprice

Go bare and be proud!

You're right, it is a badge of honour, you've beat the b'stard big C, you're entitled to let the world know what a wonderful person you are.

Cancer is a fact of life, everyone, at some time in their lives, will know someone who has it or will have it themselves, it's not something to hide away. Give other people inspiration, let them know there is life afterwards.

Tropez

You should do whatever you feel comfortable with.

However, I will add, as given your profession I think it is actually quite pertinent, that I lost my father to cancer when I was a teenager. I watched him degrade over several months and was even there when he collapsed, took his final breath and died. There was quite a lot that was rather traumatic about that, particularly the final night; everything from dealing with a walking skeleton to a disgusting gurgling sound when attempting to perform CPR.

I say this because for the longest time after that, I didn't view signs or symbolic gestures of defeating cancer as inspirational or a badge of honour, I viewed it with a mixture of anger and frustration, and it also reminded me, rather vividly of just what it was that I saw over those months and what it culminated in. At it's worst, reminders made me suicidal.

Those "Cancer you're a prat" adverts on now, while no doubt well meaning, would likely have caused me to destroy a television or three back then due to how engulfed in darkness I was.

Of course, I've got older and it doesn't have the same effect, but emotional stability and maturity isn't necessarily something we have whilst still in our teenage years. If someone has been affected in the same way that I was, which hopefully isn't the case, seeing a reminder might be quite difficult for them. Simply put, I wasn't emotionally capable of dealing with what I saw at that age.

Good on you for beating it.

dizziblonde

If I was a fellow staff member - to be honest I'd just possibly worry slightly about you getting sunburn on it uncovered!

(All about the practicalities me!)

Stephb1986_2

Be proud of who you are! I've had customers who have had/has cancer and lost their hair it doesn't bother me it's a fact of life. As long as your happy with what your doing who's anyone else to judge.

I hope you make a full and speedy recovery.

Steph xx