Angie -

 I am pleased to hear you are beyond surgery and it sounds as though
you are recuperating well.  Is that
right?

 As to how you will feel while on chemo is hard to
determine.  It depends on what chemo you will receive as well as the dosage, and each of us responds differently to chemo.  Some are very sick; others get by with minor
side effects.  You are correct, however, in
anticipating that your white blood count will probably drop.  They may give you boosters to help with
that. 

 One thing I have personally changed since my diagnosis is to
be very cautious and avoid exposure to people who could share germs because I
am now more vulnerable than the average person. 
When a cancer patient gets a virus or infection, it can be very serious
and even life threatening.

 A few thoughts for you: 
Assuming that there are other barbers or stylist who works with you,
perhaps, if they want to help, they could switch clients by taking on your client
who comes in with a cold. This would help limit your exposure. You can increase
the frequency.  You also want to wash
your hands frequently and you may want to consider, if it is possible, to wear
gloves and change them often.

 Since you are heading down this path with cancer, I would
also suggest that you explore whether there might be a better career path for
you that would provide you with insurance benefits and a career that would not
exposure you, as much, with the general public. 
By the way, when you enroll into an employer sponsored health insurance
program, it is generally “guaranteed issue” and doesn’t dependent on medical
information. Ideally, you want to be working for an employer with more than 50
employees.  Such employers must comply
with federal laws relative to health insurance.

 I am sure that with a little more knowledge of your
background, our coaches can help you with ideas of the types of positions that
you might want to explore.

 I hope this is helpful for you.

 Margot