hmmmm -  atm I am having the opposite problem, ladies! I weigh less than I have ever done!!! And the first week of chemo didn't help either. So, I am now thinking I need to put on before round 2! But my mouth is sore ... :( 

Dorothee xx

Tinkers,

Luckily I'm not a size 0 which is a UK 4. I'm a size 6 and have never had to diet to lose weight nor maintain my weight. Also, whilst my look is important, I have a lot of followers who like my attitude, obsession with English literature, passion for cooking etc. so my success isn't all based on how I look...it's probably more important to me than it is to my fans!

My perpsective and priorities changed a few years ago and my diet is about as healthy as it gets. I consider myself very lucky that I won't have to adjust in those areas.

The thing which will help me get through this is the challenge of still being able to work. Exercise and working out, doing my hair nad make-up are things I really enjoy and I will still do them as they give me great pleasure, though I realise I will have to tone  down rather on the exercise. I used to be a personal trainer so I ought to practice what I preach! Hardly a day goes by when I don't wear full make-up whether I'm working or not and I know some days I just won't manage it but I'll do it more often than not.

I have a model friend currently undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer...she's finding it tiring (understatement) but is still working and says it is a huge boost for her. I also have a friend who coped by retiring from the world for a few months. There are so many different ways people get through it and I WILL get through it.

And why is it that the hair you don't want is so bloomin' persistent?!

Rebecca x

No offence intended Rebecca.  It is just that I am 5ft 1in and used to fluctuate between 6st 12lb and 7st 2lb during my 20s and a UK 6 was way too big for me (my stats were 31-22-30), I only used to fit perfectly into the US 0 and the Italian designer size 6 (which are much bigger these days by comparison) so when I visited the states (which I did regularly on business) I made the most of their chain 'Petite Sophisticate' and their department stores selling size 0, maybe  a typo then, sorry.

Also, I in no way suggest that your glamour modelling is a sum total of what you are.  It is just that in all your posts it seems so important to you and, unless I am wrong, glamour modelling is mainly photographic and therefore 'visual' and having changes to your body going through this when your job is a very visual one can be daunting.  Most of us can tuck ourselves away in an office out of sight or something but your entire job is having people looking at you and it does put a lot of pressure on you.  I just wanted to assure you that a few minor changes wont be as drastic as you may think but to be honest you seem fairly gutsy anyway and this that is a major benefit on your side already.

You go for it and I really do hope you can keep on working as you will certainly need a distraction that is all about the better side of you over the coming months.  It is so easy for this 'thing' to take over our lives.

All the best Rebecca. XX

Oh Tinkers, I didn't take offence. I do have a habit of dispelling myths at every opportunity though..sometimes without even knowing I'm doing it!

While some of my work is photographic, I also do a lot of presenting work and am a spokesperson for a handful of causes (I do all this clothed!) and get much of my work because I can hold a conversation...I put it down to my private classical education! It is funny how some people use words of one syllable when they find out what work I do. I like to floor them with my eloquence and phenomenal brain-power ;o)

I'm wondering how many people are going to talk loud and slow when they know I have cancer

Back on topic...I know how important looks can be to a person's confidence, the number of threads on hair loss in all the groups show that. Like I don't have enough to deal with and then my hair falls out? (Liking not having to rip it out of the places where it's unwanted though.)