Body Image

Hi RubyJean, I am often a lay awake at night thinker to, I read your post and saw that you had joined this group and the emotional issues group and wondered if you meant to post in the other group? I’m thinking you might get get more responses from that group.

My treatment doesn’t affect loss of hair, bizarrely though I get freckle envy as my treatment made all mine disappear! Who knew that I’d miss them when usually they are something that you don’t want.! I became very unfit but got hold of the Macmillan move more dvd to start some chair exercises at home and joined a local walk for health group, and then a cancer rehab gym and then a walking netball group. My local cancer support group walk or run a 5km park run, I have been to watch and joined in with the coffee afterwards! 

The struggling with identity bit I understand, I’ve been struggling with that to as I gave up work, shortly before my diagnosis in 2015 and it’s hard to explain that just aiming to get as well and as fit as I can just doesn’t seem enough. I was wondering if you’d committed any thoughts to paper. I do that often to see if my thinking is logical, if there’s anything I can change, or anything I can achieve slightly differently, or in baby steps, just something to motivate me to move on from procrastinating. 

i did wonder if the Macmillan section below might be of use, there’s a video that gives a few personal experiences, not of hair loss but of other losses, and there a section on helping you take control that you might like, I hope so anyway.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/changes-to-appearance-and-body-image/body-image-after-treatment

I also wondered if a Boots beauty adviser visit could help as well I’ve put the link below, I haven’t tried it myself, I wonder if any others here have?

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../boots-macmillan-beauty-advisors.html

Hi Ruby Jean

I’m not at all surprised that you feel this way, you’ve had some massive changes in your life and that’s hard to deal with.

All I can say is remember this is all temporary. Things will improve. 

Im not sure what can help but I take St John’s Wort that works like an antidepressant. It’s herbal but I’d say call your medical team to check it’s ok to take.

On an everyday level (I’m not very new age-y but...) try to find the positives around you, look for 3 each day and make at least one about yourself, for example, my eyebrows have gone on well today, My nail varnish is a great colour, My eyes are sparkly, My bum looks great in these jeans lol

i know it can all sound a bit lame but stating some positives and looking for them can change your focus from all the negative sh^t.

Are you well enough to arrange trips to see your uni mates? Having things to look forward to helps me.

Do you have a wig you feel comfortable in or a nice scarf or hat that makes you feel more ‘you?’ 

I have an 18 year old daughter off to uni soon and I can only imagine how bereft she would be feeling too. There probably isn’t an answer that will make everything ok, but maybe some answers that will make things a big better.

Sending you big hugs (sorry but they’re mummy hugs so may take a little longer!) xxx