Page 155 - She's One Crazy Lady!

but bald? No! A wig was then produced which looked very similar to my current style, even though mine had been cut. With help I reluctantly put it on, but it was tight.
“Remember, you still have your own hair. Once that’s gone it will feel so much more comfortable.”
The colour looked OK so having looked in the mirror, I opted for that one straight away, not wanting to try on others. I was told I was eligible for another one about halfway through treatment. At least this was a perk from the NHS! Lynne was so patient, and I apologised for my reluctance to conform. As said, she’d seen it all before and understood how I was feeling and like other medical personnel, said she was always there for me. (When my hair did start to fall out, Lynne was the only one I could ask to shave my head.)
Julie, from school, then phoned me to say that the staff would like to take me out for a meal before the chemo started – just the staff I had worked with. We didn’t have much time, but everyone made themselves available and we met for a meal and get-together at a pub in Broughton. Not having seen them for so long it was ‘wonderful’ and such a tonic. They, like me, avoided talking about the problems at school, saying this would be seen as my ‘last supper’ before chemo in case my taste buds were affected – even presenting me with silly gifts, including a thong with a furry triangle in a certain place to remind me in days to come that I once had hair down below if I was to lose all my hair – Des joking later, that I should consider selling my body, some men liking the smooth look!! However, the most poignant part of the evening was when I offered to go and get everyone a drink. When I came back from the bar, all of them had grouped together, wearing... CRAZY HATS!! Yes, it was emotional, for all of us, but a very happy evening. I was so moved and grateful knowing I had their love and support and thinking how lucky I was to have such caring people behind me, but upset that I couldn’t be with them in school.
With the first round of chemo set for 22nd October, on impulse I booked two tickets for Marilyn and I to go on a coach trip to Cadbury World on the Sunday prior to my first dose, thinking that if I was to be stuck at home for the duration, at least I would have a supply of some really nice chocolate and other tempting goodies, which Jacquie had already bought from a shop in London that sold chocolate bars from all over the world. I spent £50 on ‘chocolate’ during our outing. I believe they call that ‘pre-chemo brain!’
“When I came back from the bar, all of them had grouped together, wearing... CRAZY HATS!! Yes, it was emotional, for all of us, but
a very happy evening.
”
155