Hello fellow "Peciou's" people,

The time has come....I will be in a stylists chair with my husband holding my hand and taking pictures... I haven't slept for 2 days, full of anxiety!  I have positive thoughts of being "free", free from worry, free from my wig being SOOOO HOT, and freedom from the patchy scruffy icky hair.

I'ts taken me so long to decide... I used to wake up and count the hair on my pillows and do the same in the shower drain... I GAVE UP ON THAT PRETTY QUICK.

I know it's normal to feel nervous about shaving my head, but I look forward to creating a new style.  I feel that due to the lack of hair, I will need to play up my face with makeup more than I do already, I'm thinking that I will have to (get to) buy knew clothes that take away from the obvious bald head.

One thing I fear is the big questions from strangers.... "What kind of Cancer do you have".  It's already happened a few times with my patchy scruff, but I really fear even more questions...

WHAT DO I SAY TO THOSE THAT ARE SO NOSEY TO ASK A TOTAL STRANGER ABOUT THEIR HEALTH SITUATION.... Just because I don't have hair, does not mean I am sick... I wish more people knew of Alopecia!!

Thanks for letting me vent,

Suzanne     June 6, 2014... 5 hours from clipper time!!  I'm hoping I react ok!

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How did it go? When I shaved my head a couple of months ago, I was surprised at how emotional I felt. I had so little hair left that in some ways shaving wasn't a big deal, and I knew I wanted to try it. I ended up feeling very sad about it right afterwards, as if I was finally acknowledging that my hair wasn't just going to grow back. Now though, I keep up with the shaving because I've gotten used to the look and I like the neat bald look much better than straggly hair. It looks healthier and less sad.

As far as responding to comments about health, I struggle with my "right" to go out as a bald woman (or a woman in a cap which doesn't cover up that I have hair loss) even as I don't want people to think I have cancer. I tell myself that alopecia is a legitimate condition and not something to have to hide. Of course, a wig lets me go incognito if I choose. When strangers have commented to me, I try to take their interest as genuine concern and not intrusiveness. If they are wondering, I'd rather they hear the truth, and learn about alopecia!

Congratulations!!!  I bet you look absolutely beautiful natural!

My daughter (6yr old) has Alopecia and I have found that tops with a higher neck line and lots of bright colors look best on her.  Bringing that color and contrast close to her face helps her to not look quite so washed out.   

As far as questions go, we get them all the time because we live close to 3 major hospitals that have fantastic children's hospitals.  I usually respond with,"Thank you so much for your concern, but she actually has an autoimmune condition called Alopecia."  then i go into a short little ditty about what it is, but always end with that she is perfectly healthy.  The more confident and out going she is the less people ask.  When she is shy and quiet, we will always get at least 2 people asking.  

Be confident that you look amazing in your new look!

Good for you. I did the same at the end of December 2013. I was so tired of counting the hairs and trying find ways to fix my hair. I found that big earrings go over really well. People have been really good. Some people ask, which i'm okay with. I get a few stares, but nothing lingering. I feel better and as a runner it's much easier.
How are you doing? You okay with the new you?
Good for you! Speaking from experience it's a great thing to do.... Take back the control. Heard recently what new cancer treatment on trial won't have the side effect of hair loss. Hopefully this will eventually spell the end to such questions...... BALD BELONGS TO US ALOPECIANS!

 

Suzanne, it is nerve wrenching at first and after you look in the mirror, you will go through various emotions, and then you start to settle in.  You may have alopecia, but it does not have to consume you.  Congrats to you for forging ahead.

The only awkward moment I had so far was when I went to get my first mammogram a few years back.  I am bald amongst all these women in the waiting room and all eyes were on me.  I felt weird and then I realized they must think I have breast cancer, thus my bald head.  I had to text my support system who really helped me at that moment.  At this point no one has come right out and asked me, but I get many double takes especially when I am in boxing class or my boot camp class.  I hold my head high, wear my big earrings, make my face up and keep on living my life.

 

 

Hi  you will be surprised how free you feel   don't let the disease get the best of you.  yeah you may want to go out in public with a hat or wig on   but you'll still feel better about that even….go on free yourself    I did  and I feel better than I thought would

Shaving my head was the best.
When people ask I just say. " I have an auto ammune disorder" but I'm always surprised at how much some strangers pry. Just say as much as you are comfortable with.
I'm in a weird phase right now where my hair is growing back (yaaaayyyy) but at the moment it's different colours, thickness, coursness and grows at different rates. It looks like I have a really bad haircut. I don't even care though I'm happy it's back and I don't even explain at all anymore. Just smile and answer "new haircut"

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