It has been a lovely week with my sister and niece here. I can't help but think that having my sister here with me this week is an act of God....because this week I have started loosing my hair...she has really been helping me through it~emotionally. I thought it wouldn't effect me, I mean I knew it was going to happen, but I found myself balling and feeling overwhelmed. Something that I didn't expect, was the strange tingling and what I would describe as 'prickly' feeling all over my scalp. Not total pain, but certainly uncomfortable. I had some ladies in chemo say that exact thing, and they were right. At this point I'm torn between combing it all out daily, or taking the bull by the horns and shave it all off. I've got to let go of the vanity...plus, I'm tired of all the hair everywhere!
So glad you posted. I was thinking about you hoping you were having a"good"week.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend lost hair during chemo too. As a way for her daughter (then 8) and mine,with all of her lovelies with her she let them help cut and shave rest of hair. The "hair"party ended with her ceremoniesly putting on her wig ! It was a special day and cherished memory for my children.We cried then we laughed!
Wanted to share...with you.
Michelle: What a miserable experience for you. I'm trying to think of something upbeat to say, but all I can think is that cancer stinks. Losing your hair stinks. It all stinks and I'm sorry that you are having to deal with it. I'm really glad that you have had your sister's support this week. It sounds like that has really helped. I hope that this new week brings many moments of happiness. You're in my prayers. Tricia
ReplyDeletemichelle, just know that even if we are not there holding your hand in person we are there in spirit. my hair too is falling out., all my life i have had beautiful curly red hair that got admired and commented on sinc i was little. i have had people come up and touch it at stores. lol. but its going, and i care, but i dont care. i am alive and thats what matters... maybe we need a blog on us cool, diva bald chicks.. cause this isnt the worst that could happen and we are still rockin'. :)
ReplyDeletemy sister in law has been dealing with cancer for 20 yrs and speaks to alot of victims and one of the 1st things she will tell a person is shave your head.....i am so glad your sis can be with you i think support from family is very important and having the attitude that your beat this has to be #1.
ReplyDeletei don't know if you read this blog, but i came across it recently and i think you will find it inspiring:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lilblueboo.com/
she is also a young bother with cancer, and she took the bull by the horns. i think that the best part of shaving it yourself is sayig "you don't have me, cancer. i have you. and if i want to, i can shave my hair off before you get it". then that is round one to you and you keep on fighting and beating.
Oh sweet girl I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I am glad your sister is there right now to help. You will continue to be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteSiters are the best...they are the only ones that really understand us.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I'm praying for you as you go through this time of sickness and your decision to shave your hair or not. I pray for strength and peace for you! I'm so glad to hear that you have your sister, niece, and the rest of your family to get you through this difficult time! I also pray that our God, the God of all peace and comfort will be your tower of strength during this battle that you're facing!! ~ Jamie
ReplyDeleteDoes it help to know I'm crying with you? Coming thru Joplin tomorrow - hope to look up your spot at the antique mall. Glad your sister is there...
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you do whatever you need to do to get through this. I wish for you blessings and I pray for you. Carol
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of you and praying for you, Michelle. Maybe you can look at it as this: as every hair falls out, it's the chemo killing that nasty cancer in your body. It is doing its job. I know that doesn't make it any easier, but you're going to get through this. Many hugs and prayers to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a good Sunday. My hair began to fall out after my first chemo, and I began to slowly help it along. It really looked bad, so I went into the bathroom and just shaved it off. For me, it really wasn't so bad being bald. I found some really cute hats that I enjoyed wearing. I didn't particularly care for the scarves, but you can find them and cute hats on ebay and etsy.
I pray for strength and courage for you as you go through this battle.
Blessings,
Susie
Praying for you! Glad your sister was there for you, you shouldn't have to do this alone.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear what you are going through. I have never been through anything like that, but my only suggestion is to re-frame how you look at it. Being without hair might feel very liberating. Hopefully you can see it through a positive window — though I'm not saying it will be easy. I would hope I could embrace what I can't change. Very best thoughts going out to you.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be so hard. Here's a thought. Put the hair out for birds to use for their nests.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Brenda
So happy you found comfort and support in having your sister and niece close to you. I am sending you a long distance hug. Be kind to yourself. Allow the tears to flow. They will help you cope. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for people like you - your blog always brightens my day. Hope knowing all your blogging friends (even lurkers like me) will help you get through the hard times. My prayers are with you and your family - hang in there.
ReplyDeletePeggy Mossing
Fort Wayne, IN
Michelle, It's not vanity. I remember when my Mom lost her hair from chemotherapy. She didn't think it would upset her at all, and she was devastated. All of your emotions are so normal, but what you're going through can't be understood by anyone except someone who has walked your path. I admire your strength and your willingness to tell your story. It inspires everyone, including me. I'm praying for good days ahead for you, and that your chemo kicks this rotten cancer's butt!
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard time for you but honey it will all come back in soon.
ReplyDeleteIt would be back soon.In God's grace all thing will be back to normal including your hair.
ReplyDeleteI've been there. As soon as I started pulling handfuls in the shower, I shaved it. I didn't want to have that feeling over and over. Shave and move on. Believe it or not, someday you will have a full head of hair again and this will seem like so long ago. Believe me.
ReplyDeleteTake good care of yourself.
I can't imagine how it must feel to lose your hair on top of all the other things that your little body is going through. Shave it & put that behind you:) You are in my thoughts & prayers every day-I have not been as faithful on commenting on your posts but I do think of you. I am glad your sister got to be there with you...I know that had to be a blessing. Take care & hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI can't even begin to imagine how you feel right now, you are such a brave person to blog about all of the things you are going through. I'm sure many people find inspiration from you(as I do!) on a daily basis. Keep being amazing!
ReplyDeleteFive years ago I began to lose my hair from chemo treatment. Started in the shower and was shocking,even though I thought myself prepared. That weekend my husband and I headed to my brother's lake house for a much needed break from treatment. On a whim, we took a chair outside to a spot overlooking the lake at sunset and we just chopped away and watched the hair fly. It was empowering and quite freeing to take control and rid myself of constantly touching and pulling at my hair to see "how much will come out this time". Something to look forward to..there is nothing as wonderful as the feeling of your hair as it starts to come back. My hair got to a certain tiny new length and all I could do was touch it.
ReplyDeleteMichelle..my cousin and best friend went thru the hair loss as well but my cousin had somthing interesting happen when her hair grew back...she always had straight hair and now her hair is so heathly and full of soft curls...she looks so beautiful and loves her new look. Many people are praying for you and thank you for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Michelle,
ReplyDeleteJe vous trouve très courageuse d écrire un article sur la perte de vos cheveux. Je n aurai pas ce courage. Je vous embrasse et mes pensées vont vers vous.
A bientot
Pascale
Michelle
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! May you find peace and may you welcome the changes that may and will come with determination to find the best in each circumstance. You are a brave women to put it out their for us to read. I admire you and wish you love from all that surround you!
Bless your heart. You'll look so adorable in a cute hat or with a lovely scarf wrapped around your head. Thoughts and prayers still headed your way.
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ReplyDeleteI think it's harder for a woman to lose her hair than a man. He just looks like Mr. Clean when he loses his hair. I'm sorry that you have to go through this and if you don't mind, I'll be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThanks you for sharing. I'm glad your sister is with you. i was with my sister when her hair was falling out as a result of cancer treatment. Somehow I think it was harder on me than it was on her. Something you can control may be the way to go, if you decide to do a pre-emptive shave to prevent all that hair from ending up on your pillow. Sending you healing strength and wishes that this phase passes quickly. New hair will celebrate your new awakening. Can't wait for the re-growth post!
Michelle, In my mind I can only imagine what this represents and how you must feel. Two wonderful bloggers (Cher-Texas Woman and LuLu-Coastal Sisters) have talked about their experiences...both opting to take it off...take it all off. Cher even went so far as to start with a Mohawk. Both beat the beast and their hair came back...although La LuLu continues to wear the cutest wigs in all shades of the rainbow.
ReplyDeleteAgain...I can only speak of what I think I would feel, but I think it's partly a way of taking control of what seems to be out of our control.
You are in my thoughts and prayers for healing. God bless you...and your family.
Deb
P.S. It's time for my shearing and I'd like to donate this cutting to Beautiful Lengths in your name if that's all right.
Shave it honey! You'll look amazing no matter what! And remember, your hair doesn't make you YOU. Besides, you'll get to rock some great hats!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, I'm pulling for you, praying for you, and loving you from afar. Check out Little Blue Boo's blog and you'll see just how beautiful bald can be. She even had a posting showing how she did it!
ReplyDeleteHang in there.
Gloria from Virginia
Good luck with your chemo next week Michelle! You are handling this all with so much grace.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your chemo next week Michelle! You are handling this all with so much grace.
ReplyDeleteYou found God comfort when you are in the brink of giving up. However, He never fails to reassure us that with Him nothing is impossible. Let God works in your life and let Him use it to bless other people. Godspeed.
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