Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

It’s been so long!  I’ve literally had so much going on at work (event planning on chemo – NOT recommended) and now have my kids visiting from Hawaii, that my “spare time” is nonexistent.  But I’m doing okay – 7 down, 5 to go.  Over halfway!  I’m still experiencing only minimal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and diarrhea, so I’m thankful it’s not any worse, but now…I’m losing my hair.  Here’s an average morning’s loss nowadays –

Next week I’ll wear hats, and maybe even don a wig in the following weeks.  My hair has been thinning for quite a while, but I’ve managed to style it so that it’s not super noticeable.  But now my gray is coming through (and I can’t color it during chemo) as well as a few bald spots, so it’s time to let go of it and invest in a few head coverings.

But why can’t I lose my chin hairs too?  Nope, still plucking those!  How about my leg hairs?  Nope, still doing the shave thing every other day – what’s the deal?

It’s. Only. Hair.  But any of us who lived through the 80s and had that big hair, got perms every few weeks, knew the more hair, the better (right, Kathi Hunter?).  Those of us moving into our forties knew that a hair color every few weeks was essential to covering our gray.

We spend hundreds of dollars on hair products and hundreds of hours each year on the hairs that adorn the top of our head and maintaining our vanity.  Well, chemo has stripped my vanity for now. Stilettos, cleavage, and a bronze summer complexion are a bygone now.

Everything is a little bit harder, and takes a little bit longer –

Things don’t fit the same since my mastectomy, so choosing my outfits is complicated.

My head is tender, so shampooing, conditioning and styling my hair is a careful procedure now.

I have bumps and spots all over my face, so my makeup takes longer to conceal all this, and my eyebrows are also thinning, so I have to draw those in carefully.

I have to make exhaustive lists of things I need to do, ideas I have for everything from a birthday present for someone to what bills I need to pay when.

I’m directionally challenged anyway, but with chemo brain, I ALWAYS have to program my GPS before driving, even when I’m just headed home.

So…here I go into the final laps.  I’m surrounded by loving friends and family, including my adorable grandson right now, so it’s hard to get down.  Thanks to everyone for your continued support and prayers!