I love my hair!
I’ve long had a love affair with hair. My mom suspected it the moment I got my first Barbie doll and started cutting away, and she was convinced by the time I owned a whole score of dolls, all with the same short styles. My intention was always to make Barbie more beautiful and stylish than ever. How she ended up looking more like Ken, I’m not sure.
I got better at my art as time went on. I mean, I knew a good pony-tail when I saw one, and that’s because I rarely saw one on my own head. My mom just never could get the hair smooth enough and perfect enough, and forget about two matching ponies — the part was forever zig-zaggy, and I always felt lop-sided, with more hair on one side than the other. This motivated me to master my craft, and I practiced on any head of hair I could get my hands on — sister, friends, sister’s friends, friends’ kids — and whenever I got to see my grandma, we practiced the French braid. It became my signature thing, and my best friend Kim always had a beautiful braid or two when she ran up and down the basketball court in high school.
When I was old enough, I enrolled in a high school Cosmetology program, and I spent my junior and senior years prepping to pass the Ohio State Board exam. And I did, which means I got my very own license to do hair. I still have it. It’s not valid in the state of Florida, and I never did keep up with continuing education or anything, and I don’t really broadcast that I have it, because I don’t want to do anyone’s hair anymore (well, except for family, and, of course, French braids for little girls). I just keep it in a drawer by my bedside — right next to my one remaining Barbie doll, whose hair I never did cut. It’s long, blond, curly and just as it should be.
My point in telling you this story: I love hair, especially my own. It’s because I spent a fair amount of time without hair that I adore it so. And on days when I sit in hair salons, looking at every strand that pours from my scalp, I realize just how important hair really is. Look at the industry built around it and the time we spend washing, conditioning, curling, straightening and coloring what we’ve got. Consider the moods that are born of bad-hair days, the celebrities whose hair we copy and the styles that will go down in history (’80s hair, the Mullet, the Mohawk my 9-year-old wants so badly).
OK, so hair is not everything, and if I had to go bald for the rest of my life to ensure I’d never, ever get cancer again, I’m pretty sure I’d do it. Still, I think you know what I mean, and that’s why I share with you my hair (above). I just got it cut today, and, well, I love it.
Tags: bald, Cosmetology, hair
I didn’t have Barbies growing up, but I did have play (and real) horses. I constantly braided, pulled, thinned, brushed, combed, etc on all my horses (live and fake). I never noticed my own so much until it started falling out b/c of the chemo. It apparently never gave up b/c even through 4 rounds of FAC chemo while pregnant and 2 rounds of Taxol and 1 round of Taxotere I *still* have stubble that’s getting thicker & longer every day. However, it was odd to not have hair & I’m completely with you on being glad to have it back. I’m also with you on going bald for the rest of my life if it meant I could guarantee to be cancer-free… I mean heck, I’m going to be boob & ovary/uterus free shortly… Hair is nothing compared to that! Good luck & you’re looking great!
Thank for sharing, Erika! And I can just picture you do your horses’ hair!
Hey Jacki,
love the haircut! And I sported many of braids during those basketball games. I loved having it braided tight. It kept it from getting in my eyes! I wish you could braid my hair now….It is one long wild mane. I need a cut bad!
You are so lucky that your hair returned in force! Before I had AC/TH, I was “afflicted” with too much hair—it was wild and unruly and overabundant. But my hair never really came back. It’s so thin that my scalp shows through the scanty strands. What gives? Any suggestions from your cosmetology past?
Oh, Geez, it’s been so long that I’ve studied the ins and outs of hair. I would suggest talking to someone at a high-end salon, where stylists go to lots of training workshops and hair shows. There’s got to be something out there that will make your hair fuller!
I’ve been looking out for blogs related to health issues to promote a site a friend of mine and I created recently. It’s http://wellbook.org. It’s both a community for people with illnesses and a health management tool. If you’d have a look I’d appreciate it! If you’d be interested in linking to it or reviewing it that would be fantastic too. I’ll be happy to return the favour in our links section!
My grandmother has complained about her hair pretty much every day for as long as I have known her- perming it, colouring it, blow-drying it… Every day for the last 25 years she has wished she could just ’shave it all off’! Yet she never has… We women have a very curious relationship with our hair.
When one of my best friends was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and had to start chemo I was moved to write a whole article examining this most love-hate of relationships. I discovered that it is intricately linked to self-esteem, femininity, boredom, flirtation, security- even our posture! (http://aphroditesapple.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/diary-of-a-chemo-girl-my-hair-my-life/)
I agree with you- it is absolutely important and nobody should underestimate the impact hair loss can have on chemo patients- but mainly in the sense that the confidence it creates can give you the strength to fight cancer and kick its butt!
P.S. I love your hair too! x