A vacation without my wig

I took a week off from work and a week off from wearing my wig. It felt absolutely great. Took a trip down the Oregon coast, ate in restaurants, went to the movies all without my wig. I did wear a scarf while I was out and about and am hoping that one of these days I will feel comfortable enough to go without that as well. There were the occasional looks but I just put a big smile on my face and always got one right back.
This group is such an inspiration to me and I am so glad that I have found all of you. I don't think I would of ever gotten to this point of acceptance without all of you.
I got my eyebrows re-tattooed today. After I was done me and my husband went out to dinner. After dinner while we were in the car driving home I pulled down my visor to look in the mirror to see how my eyebrows looked. I had to laugh - here they were oozing - what a sight I must of been in the restuarant - scarf on head and oozing eyebrows :-) . I'll need to get another touch-up in a month to make the hair lines, once there done I'll post some photo's of the before and after.
Acceptance is a wonderful thing.

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Permalink Reply by Petra on May 19, 2010 at 12:50pm
Today it's back to work - so for now the wig goes back on - not ready to take the plunge at work.
On the drive back home I thought I some some whales, told my husband to pull over, but it was only the waves hitting some rocks HA HA.
Permalink Reply by Cheryl, Co-founder on May 19, 2010 at 6:01pm
I too waited a while before I decided to stop wearing the wigs at work. I had a feeling I was going in that direction, but I was not ready yet. I took my baby steps and first tried it out at the office Christmas party. Take your time, you will know when it is right... if it is right for you.
Permalink Reply by Dana Kozlowski on May 19, 2010 at 1:13pm
Sounds wonderful! We all need to have those getaways. I have only been on this site for a few weeks and it has made me feel so much better about myself. I try to talk to others about how I feel and it seems they don't really get it. The love from my family, friends and boyfriend helps no matter how much they don't understand the emotional state I am in. It is comforting to see and feel the strength of people in the world. I am now really seeing the good and bad in people. My boyfriend is quite humorous about the alopecia ordeal if I loose it all he gets the opportunity to date a red head, blonde or brunette. I am now finding humor too :)
Permalink Reply by Petra on May 19, 2010 at 4:08pm
I'm so glad you have support from your family, friends and boyfriend. It's hard for them to understand what we are going through - it's just one of those things that needs to be experienced - and then again everybody deals with it differently. I've been living with alopecia for over 30 years and am just really accepting the way I look. I actually feel good about the way I look :-)
Me and my husband also find the humor in it - afterall, what else are we going to do?????
Permalink Reply by Cheryl, Co-founder on May 19, 2010 at 6:00pm
Petra, I remember my first vacation without the wig. The first time I packed the wig and a scarf, just in case ;). I spent one day on the beach with a scarf, there was tan line right across my forehead... the next day I packed the scarf and decided these people are just going to have to deal. Everyone did and I enjoy the rest of the week. It was wonderful. The next year, I just left the wig at home :).

Thanks for sharing.
Permalink Reply by Mary on May 19, 2010 at 6:40pm
Good for you, Petra! It's all about baby steps, and you just took some big ones! Keep that smile and before long, you'll feel free to be whatever you want to be in public.

Here's an earlier blog of mine from my first vacation without a wig. It was about a year after I lost my hair:

http://www.alopeciaworld.net/profiles/blogs/report-and-photos-from-my

I lived in Oregon for many years, and love it!
Permalink Reply by Becka on May 20, 2010 at 12:31pm
WAY TO GO!!!! Thats just wonderful! You are strong and brave! WELL DONE!!!!
Permalink Reply by Petra on May 20, 2010 at 2:41pm
Thanks for all the positive support. This group has helped me so much - I'm not sure if I would of gotten this far by myself. I don't feel like I am alone anymore and better yet I don't feel like I have to hide anymore. I felt more real going out in my scarf than I ever have wearing a wig, plus it was a lot more comfortable. Who knows maybe when the weather gets hot.......ahhh the possibilities.
Permalink Reply by Jenna4 on May 20, 2010 at 3:43pm
Hi Petra and Congrats on your bravery! A few weeks ago, my husband and I went away with another couple for the weekend and I went totally wig-free. I wore a hat whenever we went out, but when we were hanging out in our hotel, I actually took the hat off in front of my friends and I was ok with it! My family are the only ones that have seen me uncovered. Like you, I wear a wig to work every day but feel the need to start doing more things without it on my off time, like going to the grocery store or shopping. I am always afraid that I might run into someone from work and then I'll have to explain. I am getting to the point of thinking "so what" it is what it is and this is me. I am getting there slowly.

Btw, I love your scarf, it is beautiful! I have not worn scarves yet, but you have inspired me. I have been looking online to purchase a few inexpensive ones to get me started and see how I like them.

Yes, acceptance is a wonderful thing!
Permalink Reply by Petra on May 20, 2010 at 4:31pm
Like you I am afraid of running into somebody that I work with - even though some of them already know and I have even told a few that I wear a wig. I just don't want to be the talk of the building - and most of the people were I work like nothing better than to gossip.

I got the scarf at Old Navy. I also saw some really nice ones at World Market (Cost Plus) and Target has some really cute scarves. Scarves are in - lucky us :-)
Permalink Reply by Cheryl, Co-founder on May 21, 2010 at 1:57am
Actually Petra & Jenna, in my situation it was actually a relief when everyone started "talking", it saved me some time and trouble ;). It was uncomfortable for a little bit and then everybody just knew. It really doesn't take long for everybody to go onto the next best thing.

But like Jenna stated the more she becomes comfortable with the idea the less she is concerned about the comments of others.
Permalink Reply by Mary on May 20, 2010 at 4:36pm
Keep on trying, Jenna! It took me about a year, but my attitude now is summed up by a shirt I had made that says: "Yes, I'm bald...get over it!" This is who I am now, and people just have to deal with it. All the best, Mary

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