Regarding Hair Loss

While I couldn’t control the fact that I would loose my hair as a result of chemotherapy, it was important for me to control how I lost it.  My doctor had indicated approximately when it would be gone and after how many treatments so I planned accordingly.  Ironically, I had worn my hair very short for several years and the year of my diagnosis had decided to let it grow.  While it was still short by most standards, it was long for me. 

My approach was to have it cut in stages and by Christmas of 2008 it was once again about two inches long.  I had reached my goal however, which was to have hair for Christmas.  The week after however, it was getting quite thin so I decided to have my head shaved.  For me, this decision was less traumatic than having it fall out in clumps or to have long strands mixed with bald spots. 

I must admit that there were moments in the ensuing months when I would look in the mirror at my shiny bald head and cry.  I am still uncertain whether the tears were from the baldness or the process of treatment in general.  Most likely from both.  I do know that there is no right or wrong way to approach the loss of your hair.  Hair loss doesn’t come with a manual of right or wrong answers.  Your reaction is uniquely yours and it is perfectly okay however you choose to deal with it. 

Barb from Iowa, October 2008

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