Healing in the Public Eye: Coun. Elizabeth Peloza discusses changing appearance and feeling isolated amid chemotherapy

In this week’s edition of ‘Healing in the Public Eye,’ Coun. Peloza documents her changing appearance and feelings of isolation during chemotherapy.

London City Councillor and Budget Chair Elizabeth Peloza is documenting her personal health journey on CTV News as she undergoes chemotherapy treatments following breast cancer surgery.

Sitting in her living room, Peloza addresses a significant change in her appearance, “It came to the point that (my hair) was bald down the middle, scruffy on the sides.”

On Day 27 of her chemotherapy she chose to shave the remaining hair, documenting the moment with her cellphone, “This is what we have left, so it’s time.”

“Physically it was feeling like hot flashes just on my head and realizing how the hair was presenting itself when I was out doing city business or just out,” Peloza explains. “I’d want to take my head covering off because I was so hot but couldn’t do it comfortably knowing how it looked.”

She now uses a scarf to regulate her temperature outside, but is also comfortable without one, “It’s (about) beauty standards, and this is my beauty standard right now. I’m okay with it.”

Another change in her outward appearance, Peloza is diligently wearing a medical mask when around groups of people.

Chemotherapy has temporarily compromised her immune system.

She tries to run personal errands and shop for her family early in the morning when stores are less busy, “I have friends who are very loving and able to help, but it’s nice just to have that little bit of normal.”

Other times crowds can’t be avoided, like watching her youngest child’s hockey games, “These are memories that you might only get to have once, so getting to see them is really important.”

She’s grateful the other hockey parents greet her, but keep a respectful distance given the risk.

“Anyone who you see out and wearing a mask, just please know that they’re either caring for someone immunocompromised or they are themselves. Just give them that buffer when they’re out or ask to approach,” Peloza recommends.

Even with visits from family, friends, and colleagues on council, she admits that staying home has increasingly felt isolating.

“Very isolating,” Peloza admits. “And I’m lucky, I recognize the privilege that I can work from home and so many other people don’t have that. I’m trying to use that to the best of my ability, realizing if I do go out and I get sick, I am pushing treatment back potentially months.”

“I am lonely,” she admits when asked. “Do I want to go to an event, yes. I missed International Women’s Day, (and) I love that event. It was going to be too much of a risk.”

“I miss those community events,” Peloza says about fulfilling her role as city councillor. “I’m trying to do more with residents outdoors as we come into the nicer weather. They’re asking about community cleanups (and) I can absolutely go to those because they’re going to be outdoors. Visits to (constituents’) homes are going to be a porch visit outside. I’m not going to get to come in for a coffee like I normally would.”

She’s also managing symptoms caused by her chemotherapy.

“I think that’s the interesting thing with chemo, everyone’s journey is a little bit different. Some do surgery first, some do radiation and then chemo, or mix of that. This was round three of eight for me,” Peloza explains. “Every round is a bit different, so it’s a whack-a-mole of symptom management. Then after four rounds, I’ll switch to different drugs for the next four rounds and everything will potentially be different again.”

“There was some pain last night,” she says about the side effects. “Mouth sores are a big one. Sores on your tongue, and I had burning at the top of my throat. So when I’d try to start swallowing, it hurt. Then, one of my big ones has been a lot of pain here (in my upper chest).”

“I’m just taking it day by day as it comes, trying to respond to what my body needs, when it needs it,” she adds. My relationship with food has changed completely. Protein is really important, but sometimes I just don’t want it. Metal bowls and metal cutlery can taste weird. Instantly the carbonation in pop burned my throat and esophagus so it was off the table. Juices, anything hot, no. And five small meals instead of three big meals.”

People can share their thoughts and questions via email at [e-mail]

Selected emails will become part of an upcoming segment of Coun. Elizabeth Peloza: Healing in the Public Eye.