Now I Know

--What I look like without hair. It it impossible to imagine. I even thought about finding an app that would do it automatically with a pic, or photoshopping one of mine, but never got around to it. I'm getting used to it--it would have looked better years ago I think. But we always think that, hair or not, I guess. In the middle of one particularly dismaying hair loss moment, my almost 9 year old niece softly told me with her big blue eyes, "What always matters is what's inside. And what's inside is beautiful." Unprompted. Seriously. And that is why I am Down in Dixieland.

After a couple days, I went and got it all taken off, otherwise you REALLY look like a "cancer patient". Bethy's hairdresser offered to help me at her last appointment when she found out I would be staying with her. She has done this in the past with clients and their families and friends. She stayed late, after her last appointment, out of concern for my privacy, although I did not ask for that. She was so kind and upbeat, and she wouldn't take a cent for the service, saying it was her way to give, and that the way to pay her was to get better. She has 3 aunts with breast cancer.

When I came down the stairs wearing the scarf that Bethy bought me, my 11 year old nephew Jack yelled "DOO-RAG!!" and pumped his fist. I was also told I had the Little Steven (in the E Street Band) look going. Talk about a cheering section!

Also noteworthy is the phenomenon of how your head affects how hot or cold you feel. Draft on your head, chilly. Sun on head, hot. Amazing. What they tell you about losing heat faster through your head is true. There is a lot of blood flow up there, at least on good days, recently demonstrated by my forehead-to-iron-railing force experiment in May. Which is healed, with a scar that I can see well now, having previously disappeared into my hairline! Observation of life with a scientific eye, its what keeps a true nerd happy.

Interesting also was the close association (Sept. 19th) with the Official Talk Like a Pirate Day. Was this a mere coincidence? HARRR. I'm not sure.

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

2 rounds chemo done, 6 to go!