As I wrote on July 28th (the last blog: Shaving My Hair After Chemotherapy) I loved having my long hair and I had an attachment with my long hair and concerned about losing my hair when I got chemotherapy treatment.
But some of my friends said, “Just enjoy it, and get a wig in a color you never thought you would wear.”
So, I checked the internet to see what was available.
There are many sites where you can find wigs for cancer patients.
Since there is no hair, or not much hair, to hold when you wear the wig, there were instructions to wear a wig cap. My skin is very sensitive, and I did not want to wear a synthetic material cap, so I had to study a little.
While I was checking, I read on Bethany Kandel’s blog that there are free wigs for cancer patients information. One of the best offers I found was on the American Cancer Society site. I called them and got all the information I needed. They were so nice and caring. I found a local wig bank of American Cancer Society and made an appointment.
I tried many different styles.
There were mostly synthetic hair wigs since natural hair is more expensive, but it did not matter to me.
It was fun, and I picked my first official wig, which happens to be natural hair! Way to go, Sanae!!!
I did not realize that Eric was very conservative about me choosing a wig color; he wanted me to get a similar color to my own hair. So this time, I got almost the same color as my natural hair.
But you know what, I may get a pink or lavender wig for Halloween!
What do you think? LOL!
Making this chemotherapy time as one of my best experience in my life!!!
Love,
Sanae💖
Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!
My mother had beautiful, long hair when I was growing up. She told me, “Your father loves long hair,” and she smiled. Her beautiful hair stays in my memory, so I enjoy growing my hair long, too.
I also found out that by having long hair, I did not have to go get my hair cut too often. It was perfect for someone lazy like me to go get a haircut every two to three months.
Before I cut my hair
When I had ovarian cancer 24 years ago, one of my good friends said, “It will be so sad to see you lose your beautiful, long hair from chemotherapy.” Fortunately, I did not have to take chemotherapy to treat the cancer, so I didn’t deal with losing hair that time.
Recently, I was diagnosed with cancer of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Primary non-Hodgkin of Liver, Stage IV because of Hepatitis C that I got from the blood transfusion result of the car accident in 2001.
I did my best to heal with macrobiotic food and other natural remedies, but the cancer was growing too fast, so I had to make a decision to take chemotherapy. There are many side effects, and one of them was losing hair. I did not know what to think about losing my hair. It was a somewhat scary thought, since I’ve loved having my hair long most of my life. But when I saw my hair was falling out slowly everyday, I knew it was time for me to just shave.
I had an image of the famous Sinéad O’Connor’s shaved head and told myself it would maybe grow into a short Annie Lennox hairstyle after chemotherapy. They are beautiful women, so I did not feel so bad. I also researched famous women who shaved their heads, and surprisingly, there were so many of them. You can check also, if you are curious like me.
How did I do it? First, I cut my hair shorter to adjust my emotional shock. I let it stay that way for one week and got ready to shave.
Cut my hair shorter first and enjoying gardening
Who shaved my hair?
Eric!
He has been shaving his hair, so I asked him. First he said, “I don’t know how to shave nicely.” I said that shaving is one way: just shaven. There is one style I am looking for: “short.” So he said, “Okay, let’s see.”
It was a perfectly warm day to be out on the back deck. Sunlight was reflecting off my head, and I felt warm as he was shaving.
Beautiful day to be out on the deck to shave my hair
The first shaved!
Shaving my hair with fun!
Most people said I look like a Buddhist monk. I am not sure if I got enlightenment from shaving my head, but I am getting used to it. Now I scrub my head every morning and night when I do my body scrub, and I love it. I also massage my scalp, and it feels so good.
Shave head is done!
My everyday goal is making this chemotherapy period be one of my best experiences.
Love, Sanae
Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!
One month ago, June 20, was my 13th wedding anniversary with Eric.
It was going to be in the middle of my second round of chemotherapy, so I asked Eric to celebrate a few days earlier on the weekend. I also requested that Eric makes a strawberry shortcake for us.
We had lunch with Michiyo and Nancy, and also dinner with Amanda and Jessica, to celebrate over two different meals. I wore the dress that Eric chose, and I added a pink cardigan to match my handmade rhodonite (helps emotional balance) necklace and bracelet and my amethyst and aquamarine bracelet (healing lymph and overall).
I was a little concerned that I did not look good enough for the anniversary, with my shaved head and being sick.
I told myself that I am beautiful no matter what, and what is important is how much I love Eric and appreciate him.
I am not much of a makeup person, but I decided to add color to my lips with organic hemp, which I just got at a co-op in Santa Monica. The color was very natural, and at the same time, it made my complexion much brighter. I liked the result a lot. This helped me realize I am “beautiful,” even though I have cancer and am in chemotherapy treatments. My style is to wear something comfortable with natural materials, with pastel colors to bring out my soul and add color to express my identity.
I feel that in this way, I can cheer myself up and show how much love I feel to my beloved husband, Eric, and the whole world.
I am more appreciative of my life than ever.
Thank you,
Sanae
Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!