It is funny how people can see things very differently from
each other. As an example, the loss of a woman’s hair during cancer treatment
seems to be either a non-issue or a huge issue...depending on the person. Most people think that losing her hair is one of the most difficult parts of a woman's treatment. I am here to tell you that this is not necessarily so.
Throughout this journey, people are quick to tell you about
people they know who did not lose their hair during their chemo treatments. My
doctors were keen to tell me the same thing...the induction therapy I am having
for the 4 months leading up to the stem cell transplant is not likely to cause
full baldness, but a gradual thinning. I may not need a wig until after the
stem cell transplant. This was all intended to make me feel better. Little do
they know.
I was looking forward to losing my hair. I know, some of you
will think that is strange. But it is true. I like to look for silver linings
and the one that I thought I had in the bag was the ability to get up, shower,
and towel dry my head. No blow-drying, no straightening, no haircuts, no
highlights...just me and the wind – or for the sake of others around me – at hat
or scarf or wig when I go out. When my doctor told me I would not likely lose
my hair, I WAS DISAPPOINTED! LOL! I am not kidding!
Now don’t get me wrong...I love my hair. I have very full
and lovely locks...I just want a break. I have spoken with a few women who lost
their hair during their treatment (breast cancer treatment usually results in
total hair loss) and have read blogs of cancer survivors who all say it was a
liberating experience to let it go. I want liberation.
I don’t have control over too much of my life at the
moment...and I’ll be damned if I let the cancer treatment protocol determine
when I lose my hair...so...I have decided to take step one tomorrow. Not a full
GI Jane buzz but a very short pixie cut. That way I don’t have to do much to it
in the morning and I will reap some benefits. Some of my friends and family don’t
really get it. (My dad and sister and my bestie’s husband are all hairdressers.)
Why would you cut your hair off if you didn’t need to???
Why?? BECAUSE I CAN!One of the people I follow (not in a stalker-type way) is Lisa Ray. She is an Indian-Canadian actress who is best known for her Bollywood work. One of my favourite movies of all time is Water. Lisa played the beautiful Kalyani.
Last year, I found out through a bizarre “6-degrees-of-separation”
encounter with my massage therapist that Lisa Ray has multiple myeloma. It was her Yellow Diaries blog that inspired
me to write my own blog. She speaks about the shaving of her head and the power
she felt it gave her. (Mind you, she was on the red carpet and made a statement
about Multiple Myeloma research at the same time...but...whatever.) I decided
that I will do the same.
So, if you see women who are bald...don’t automatically
think that they must feel bad or that it was difficult for them to lose their
hair. For many (not all) it is a badge of courage. It is a symbol of taking
back our power. It is okay!! J
It is only hair, and it grows back!
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