First off, welcome to the forum Rory! Going bald is not always an easy thing to adjust too, especially when you are not really given a choice in the matter. I'm sorry your friends haven't been more supportive, but I would guess they are just not used to seeing you this way and aren't quite sure how to react. My free advice (for what it's worth!) is to keep your hair short and gradually get shorter and shorter buzz cuts as you get comfortable with it. A lot of us here also have beards, so if you can grow some facial hair, that may help too. Best of luck to you, and keep us posted on how it goes.
-Jason