Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow!

I mentioned in my last post that one of the hardest parts of this journey lay ahead.  Well, I am happy to report that part of the journey is now behind me!  Whether I was ready or not, it was time for my hair and me to part ways.  As last week progressed, it became more and more apparent that I was losing a large amount of hair.  Washing my hair, combing it, blow drying it, or handling it in any way became more unbearable each day, as large amounts of hair would come out at these times.  So, as much as I had dreaded going bald, it actually came as somewhat of a relief to the constant hair falling from my head. 

My wonderful, talented hairdresser (and friend) Ashley took great care of me, as promised. She came over to our house Friday evening after my kids were tucked into bed.  Quentin and my mom were there to support me.  Ashley first cut my hair into a shorter style and then got out the clippers, taking my hair down as short as possible.  She did a great job of keeping all the hair that came off behind me so I didn't see any of it.  She, Quentin, and my mom all chatted and joked to help distract me from what was happening.  When it was all done, everyone was very complimentary and reassuring that I looked great.  It took some nerve, but I finally looked at myself in a hand mirror.  I definitely looked different, but it was less shocking that I was expecting. As much as I had dreaded that moment, it really wasn't as bad as I had feared!  I still looked like myself, just without hair around my face!  

The next morning, I got to reveal my new look to Jack and Lucy.  Jack saw me first when he got up and came into our bedroom.  I was wearing a sleep cap, and he initially didn't say anything to me.  We reminded him what I had done the night before.  He said he remembered and then looked at me.  He immediately wanted me to take off the hat so he could see my hair.  When I did, he smiled.  He said, "You look pretty, Mommy!"  (I've trained him so well!)  We all then went to get Lucy out of bed.  Lucy would not even look at me when I went in her room.  She greeted Quentin and Jack normally but pretended that I wasn't even there.  Jack was excited about my new look and kept telling her to look at me (I was wearing my sleep cap again). After a few minutes, she did look at me and talk to me. Jack kept asking her if she wanted me to take off my hat.  She did not. I told her that she didn't have to see me without my hat until she was ready to.  She seemed relieved, and I left it on the rest of the morning.  We had to get ready to go to Jack's basketball game, which was my first public debut of my new look.  I decided to wear a wig I had purchased that is designed to be worn under hats (basically, it's not a full wig).   It wasn't all that comfortable, so I was glad to come home and change into a scarf.  After getting home from the game, Lucy announced out of the blue that she was ready to see me without a hat or scarf.  She seemed very sure that she was ready, so I revealed my new look.  She smiled and said, "You look the same!" Whew!  We were all relieved to have that initial reveal out of the way.  

Headed to Jack's basketball game!

Quentin planned a head-shaving party for Saturday evening.  Many of the boys in my life had been planning to shave their heads in support of me, and he thought it would be fun for everyone to get together and make it a party.  So, everyone came over to our house.  We shaved heads, ordered pizza, and even had a giant cookie cake to celebrate!  Quentin, Jack, my dad, my father-in-law, and brother-in-law all shaved their heads.  I feel so blessed to have this show of support.  We had a great time, with lots of laughs at the expense of those whose heads were being shaved.  I shaved everyone, with some help from others.  All the boys looked very handsome with their new looks!  

The newest "baldies!"

As I start this "off-week" from chemo, I'm feeling pretty good again.  It takes right at a week for me to start feeling "normal" again after chemo.  I'm just glad to know that I have some more good days coming before going back for some of that butt-kicking medicine.  I have to admit, I do enjoy the simpler life, not having hair to care for every day.  It makes my morning routine much quicker and easier!  I'm experimenting with all different ways to cover my bald head, including hats, scarves, and wigs.  I've found that none of these options are all that comfortable, and being bald around the house is the most comfortable. Fortunately, my family doesn't mind seeing my bald head now!  Maybe I'll adjust to having something on my head as time goes on, just as I've adjusted to all of the other changes that have come my way recently.  Only time will tell!