When is it safe to go topless????

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mrs gadget
mrs gadget Member Posts: 118
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Guys...

I am just over 2 months past chemo now and have what looks almost like a "boot camp" style haircut. The population of hair is still a little thin, but I am proud of every one of those little strands. I had a discussion with my husband and told him that I am at the point where I am ready to just shed the baseball caps, wigs and just reveal my head to the world. Being a cancer survivor himself, he understood but reacted with cautious optimism.

He reminded me that being a substitute teacher in front of a classroom may have a negative impact on my career if I don't wear the wig for a while more. He was worried that I may not get as many sub jobs if I go topless. I am just wondering if any of you that are in the education field would let me know if you have had similar experiences and how it affected you. I kind of feel like covering my head is doing society a favor but doesn't really help my comfort at all.

Good or bad, I would love to hear all sides of this...

Thanks
Mrs gadget

Comments

  • mzl0ve
    mzl0ve Member Posts: 62
    #2
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    I am not a teacher, however
    I am not a teacher, however i have desided to go topless the whole time. ishaved my head 3 weeks ago. i do get alot of looks but, i just smile and keep going. what ever you desided good luck to you

    Amie
  • faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy Member Posts: 319 Member
    #3
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    To sub or not to sub...
    I was out 7 weeks last year with my mastectomy. I was truly grateful for the substitute teacher that stayed with my class during that entire time. I went in at the beginning of each month, set up plans for the core subjects for that month, changed the calendar, and left a little gift for her. Too, I have subsequently met several survivor teachers that taught during their treatments, as I did. I covered my head during chemotherapy treatment for fear that my bluish-white-glow-in-the-dark scalp would burn during yard duty. My students were quite aware of my activities, I took every third Friday off for infusions and the following week I never looked too great. My scarves would shift, but the kids were amazingly gracious, or perhaps too self-absorbed to make mention. When I returned after summer my hair was very much like what you are describing, and I realized that my comfort was more important to me than sparing the awkwardness of others. It really is their problem, and that includes the new teachers at my site that concluded I was some militant lesbian...yep, Holy Cow, small minded people in classrooms molding the minds of future generations. The same people, by the way, that frequently try to label children....but I digress.

    I will say that a great substitute teacher is worth their weight in gold! It's not about appearances, but classroom management and educating the little ones. Kids don't discriminate, that's a learned behavior. I am of the opinion if you take charge in the classroom, no one will have a problem with your radical hairdo.
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #4
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    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy said:

    To sub or not to sub...
    I was out 7 weeks last year with my mastectomy. I was truly grateful for the substitute teacher that stayed with my class during that entire time. I went in at the beginning of each month, set up plans for the core subjects for that month, changed the calendar, and left a little gift for her. Too, I have subsequently met several survivor teachers that taught during their treatments, as I did. I covered my head during chemotherapy treatment for fear that my bluish-white-glow-in-the-dark scalp would burn during yard duty. My students were quite aware of my activities, I took every third Friday off for infusions and the following week I never looked too great. My scarves would shift, but the kids were amazingly gracious, or perhaps too self-absorbed to make mention. When I returned after summer my hair was very much like what you are describing, and I realized that my comfort was more important to me than sparing the awkwardness of others. It really is their problem, and that includes the new teachers at my site that concluded I was some militant lesbian...yep, Holy Cow, small minded people in classrooms molding the minds of future generations. The same people, by the way, that frequently try to label children....but I digress.

    I will say that a great substitute teacher is worth their weight in gold! It's not about appearances, but classroom management and educating the little ones. Kids don't discriminate, that's a learned behavior. I am of the opinion if you take charge in the classroom, no one will have a problem with your radical hairdo.

    Whatever you're comfortable with
    is what you should do. I think most people (little people included) know about hair loss from cancer treatments. Pictures are everywhere - on TV, billboards, etc. They will have seen it before, maybe even firsthand. Small minds, indeed, but not usually with children. I think they'll quickly accept that your hair is gone and move on.

    That being said, I'm not exposing myself yet. My hair is thin and fine and gray and I think I look sick with the sparse regrowth and very visible scalp. I guess that even at age 63 I'm still vane. It seems to grow more everyday, tho, so it won't be long until I go topless. I can't wait.

    Suzanne
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #5
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    Double Whammy said:

    Whatever you're comfortable with
    is what you should do. I think most people (little people included) know about hair loss from cancer treatments. Pictures are everywhere - on TV, billboards, etc. They will have seen it before, maybe even firsthand. Small minds, indeed, but not usually with children. I think they'll quickly accept that your hair is gone and move on.

    That being said, I'm not exposing myself yet. My hair is thin and fine and gray and I think I look sick with the sparse regrowth and very visible scalp. I guess that even at age 63 I'm still vane. It seems to grow more everyday, tho, so it won't be long until I go topless. I can't wait.

    Suzanne

    I was more comfortable
    I was more comfortable wearing a wig to school during chemo and for probably 6 months after...My bald head wasn't cute...some are....My hair is still very short but stylish now and even so I get random comments about my short haircut....If you're young and cute, go for it... I think we older chickies need some hair.
  • mrs gadget
    mrs gadget Member Posts: 118
    #6
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    thanks and big hugs
    Thanks so much you guys. This has been more helpful than you know. I am an older chick (46) and don't look great bald, but I am not comfortable in the head coverings due to those lovely hot flashes that we all experience. Anyhow, I think what I will probably do is just kind of decide based on the school and my own comfort level. It is tough depending on sub jobs right now and that desperate need to make a good impression until I get my own classroom. I feel like every sub job is a job interview right now...

    Anyhow, in the end it's all about checking the climate that is around you at the time.

    Thanks for the help
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #7
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    mzl0ve said:

    I am not a teacher, however
    I am not a teacher, however i have desided to go topless the whole time. ishaved my head 3 weeks ago. i do get alot of looks but, i just smile and keep going. what ever you desided good luck to you

    Amie

    I think you should do
    I think you should do whatever makes YOU comfortable. I bet you look beautiful!
  • pokrydi
    pokrydi Member Posts: 99
    #8
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    mrs gadget said:

    thanks and big hugs
    Thanks so much you guys. This has been more helpful than you know. I am an older chick (46) and don't look great bald, but I am not comfortable in the head coverings due to those lovely hot flashes that we all experience. Anyhow, I think what I will probably do is just kind of decide based on the school and my own comfort level. It is tough depending on sub jobs right now and that desperate need to make a good impression until I get my own classroom. I feel like every sub job is a job interview right now...

    Anyhow, in the end it's all about checking the climate that is around you at the time.

    Thanks for the help

    Hey 46 your not a older
    Hey 46 your not a older chick =:)I will be 50 this summer it's just a number. my thought is whatever you feel comfortable with but i get what your saying about the job market it's sad that you have to worry about that. Take care of yourself Di
  • Giant Poodles
    Giant Poodles Member Posts: 79
    #9
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    pokrydi said:

    Hey 46 your not a older
    Hey 46 your not a older chick =:)I will be 50 this summer it's just a number. my thought is whatever you feel comfortable with but i get what your saying about the job market it's sad that you have to worry about that. Take care of yourself Di

    I am a teacher and I went
    I am a teacher and I went topless about 2 1/2 months out from chemo. I just explained it to the kids. I had taken some meds that made my hair fall out and it was growing back. They were great, they keeping telling they really like my hair. It is about 4 inches now.
    Love,
    Rhonda
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
    #10
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    Giant Poodles said:

    I am a teacher and I went
    I am a teacher and I went topless about 2 1/2 months out from chemo. I just explained it to the kids. I had taken some meds that made my hair fall out and it was growing back. They were great, they keeping telling they really like my hair. It is about 4 inches now.
    Love,
    Rhonda

    I have two elementary aged
    I have two elementary aged kids and I continued to volunteer at their school during treatments. Once I had my boot camp hair, I went topless and the kids loved it. Its about you and what you feel comfortable with. Kids are much more understanding than adults. Good luck!

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