#63 Don't Like Being Bald

Good-bye Hair

I've been dreading the bald thing since Dr. P said my kind of chemo meant total hair loss. I wouldn't mind losing my hair so much, if I had young and flawless skin. But, I'm glad I didn't have to go through this when I was young. I've had a lot of years to help me understand how little my hair really matters.

Plus, I have Don!  He knows all about being bald and I've never heard him complain. He also knows how to make things fun. He couldn't find a barber's bow tie, so he put on a bandana. ?? We set up the bathroom like a spa, with needed products and tools and some beverages!  My wine was my first since chemo and I sort of needed it.

Days before, I searched the internet for clever ideas of how to make getting rid of hair, fun. I was surprised at how little I found. My daughter, Heidi texted me a photo of a pineapple hairdo that she challenged her dad to attempt.  My son, Scott sent a video of a barber who gave his young son an "old bald man haircut". My friend Martha sent some lovely images of bald women to inspire me. Family and friends are more creative than the internet.

So we set up shop at about 5:30.  I tossed down a few colorful scarves to wrap my head quickly if the bald look freaked me out.  But I didn't know this was going to be such a long process and that I would have plenty of time to adjust to my head by the time it appeared!

We kept in touch with Heidi by phone, so she could add her suggestions along the way. Don had a whole list of hairdos he wanted to attempt (with our ancient trimming scissors) He started by chopping my bangs to look, like singer, Sia... a dark haired version.

Don seemed to be having so much fun as he snipped and muttered, that I could hardly fret. "Hmm, this may not be one of my better creations..."  I mean, how often do you get the chance to not worry if someone flubs on your haircut?   

Don got pretty excited about giving me some crooked styles. Then he buzzed one side and slicked over the top. 

This was his "little boy" haircut.  I felt like Peter Pan and I tried to belt out "I've got to crow..." but I couldn't remember the words. 

These photos are pretty scary, but for some reason I never had the meltdown I expected. It was fun.  After cropping to a G.I. Jane cut, we slathered on some good old shaving cream and used a razor. But, before going totally bald, Don made sure we at least got to sport twin haircuts for a while. We have photos, but you'll have to ask to see those! 

While Don was shaving my head, Scott called. He and his fiance had made it halfway from DC to New Orleans. Suddenly I was texting them photos.  It felt so good to have the support of my kids from afar, cheering and laughing along with us.  "Are you sure you want to see this one?" I warned a few times. 

​So I went to bed feeling relieved.  The haircutting day is behind me. 

I woke in the morning and felt my head. I can't lie.  It felt weird and I was prepared to have a glum day.  But the sun was out after days of rain. I went out and swam with my bare head. I let the sun shine on it for a short while, as I relaxed and pondered.  I still hate being bald.  But it's only for a while.