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Shannon

Female

Monroe, New York

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:: Married
About Me:: I am 34 years old and a mother of four beautiful girls and a wife to a wonderful man! I was diagnosed with Alopecia in July 2008. This is all pretty new to me, not to mention a bit scary. Over the last couple months, I have learned that "I truly am NOT my hair" and I can do this! I have a wonderful support system, my family. I thank the good Lord for them. While my hair continues to fill the shower drain each time I shower, I simply pick it up with a tissue and move on. I would be lying if I said "This does not or has not effected me" because it has. The good news is that I have learned "What is going to happen will and I can not control that". I had no clue what beautiful wigs were out there until I actually went to a shop and tried them on. I must say, I had alot of fun playing dress up. I want to give a special thank you to my mom who paid for my wig that day. I went home feeling like "WOW, I have options"! Thank you mom! Thank you to my husband that supports me every way he can and thank you to my children that keep me on my toes.
Do you have alopecia?: Alopecia areata
Are you age 18 or older?: Yes

Comment Wall:

Linda

Hi Shannon, I have four beautiful girls/women too! I have a son, he's my youngest. I've had Alopecia for over 40 years. Welcome...

Jul 21, 2008
Dawn

Hello and welcome Shannon

Jul 21, 2008
Cheryl, Co-founder

Hi Shannon, I am so glad that you found us so soon! Welcome you to Alopecia World. I can honestly say that we are a great community here and I hope you enjoy the time you spend with us. Cheryl, co-founder. This is a group for newly diagnosed alopecians and please feel free to email me anytime.

Jul 21, 2008
Shannon

Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome. For someone who is totally scared about this.... It is comforting knowing that I have somewhere to go to with people who can relate. So far, I just want to cry all the time. Fear of the unknown of what will ultimately happen. Will it progress, will the cream work and stop it, will I need to have needles injected into my head? Or will it become so bad that I have to hide from the world? I ask myself "Could I have the strength, as many of you do, to go out into the world? Right now it is localized but active and getting larger. My dermatologist wants me back in for my next appointment in 6 weeks, does that make ANY sense to anyone? In six weeks, I have know idea how much hair I will loose.
Thank you for all of you here that have taken a moment out of your day to comfort and support people in the Alopecia World.
Shannon

Jul 22, 2008
Mandy

Hi Shannon! I'm so glad you found this site so quick after your diagnosis. I did, too - was diagnosed on May 2nd of this year. This website helped me SO much and I hope it does the same for you. Remember that you are not alone and you are not your hair!

Hugs,
Mandy

Jul 22, 2008
LeslieAnn Butler

Hi Shannon,
How are you today? I wanted to welcome you and let you know I'm here if you need to talk. I've had alopecia for about 30 years!
LeslieAnn

Jul 23, 2008
Prayer

Hi Shannon,
I am new as well, my daugter has AA, and she has been receiving steroid injuections along topical creams through a dermatologist, have you been to a dermatologist yet.

Jul 23, 2008
Shannon

Hi Prayer,

I have seen the dermatologist and am currently using the cream. I freaked out when he mentioned the word "injections". Do the injections hurt? Might sound like a dumb question, but my Dr. said the needles are not big. Is the combination of treatments working for your daughter?

Jul 23, 2008
Shannon

LeslieAnn,
After 30 years of going through this..... have you had different treatments? Has anything been proven to work better than any other? My mother told me the same thing happened to her about 15 years ago while she was undergoing some serious bouts of stress and depression. Sounds weird, but she said her hair dresser recommended a jaulipinio (cant spell that) shampoo. My mom used it and her hair began to grow back three months later. She also said I have a great uncle who had it happen to him and one of my mothers sisters (my aunt) had it happen to her also. What have you heard, experienced over the years?
Shannon

Jul 23, 2008
Elizabeth

Hi Shannon!
Greetings from far away in New York! :)
I think it is great that you're interested in starting a support group. I bet there are many people who are looking for a group somewhere between Rochester and NYC. I'm going to give my mom your email address (I saw it in the blog) because she would be the perfect one to ask. If you are ever in our part of the state, we'd love to have you as well!
I read that this is a new diagnosis for you and I understand how scary that can be. If you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to write back.
Best of luck with EVERYTHING!

Oct 29, 2008
Maureen

Hi Shannon, How are you doing? I see that Elizabeth gave you information about the support group in Rochester. I live on Long Island.I was able to go to the meeting in Rochester cause my son is in College there. It is a 7 hour drive for me, so i would not be able to get up there as often. I am planning to come back up that way after all the snow lol! which will be around March. If i come before than i will let you know. let me know how you make out with a support group if i can attend i will thanks for asking!

Oct 30, 2008
Sharla

Hey Shannon,,

Am very glad to meet u....I would be more than happy to join ur support group,,,
just give me more information on ur plans.

Oct 30, 2008
Sharla

Am in NYC, the Bronx to be exact... i don't know where Suffern is but do what you have to, I'll fit in the best way i can.
I don't know of anyone who would wanna join now but am sure you'll find more people right here in this world....
God Bless!!!!

Nov 1, 2008
Alex

Hi Shannon,
I went to a support group in Manhattan when I was younger, but I don't go anymore. I would love to join your group, but I live in Staten Island, which is over an hour and a half away from you. Maybe on occasion i would be able to come up there, but to drive there regularly seems crazy to me. Good Luck with your group and let me know if I can help in any way!
-Alex

Nov 1, 2008
Esther

I live in clifton, nj. a mid way point sounds good. when are you thinking about scheduling something? are you going to BGDL on 12/7?

Nov 2, 2008
Lia

thank u so much for your kind words! i honestly want to copy & paste and save your comment so i can re-read it on those days when i'm feeling bummed. hehe seriously. well, i'm glad you have come to terms with this alopecia thing. hopefully one day, i will too! thank you again!

<3 lia

Nov 10, 2008
Shana and Taylor

I used to live in NY also!!!! Upstate!

Nov 17, 2008
Shana and Taylor

Go Syracuse!!! :) I used to live in Syracuse....I live in NC now!

Nov 18, 2008
Shana and Taylor

How have you been??? I am gettin my new wig on Thursday, November 20th, 2008...I am working with Hair Club For Kids, they are great to me and I love my wigs. You gotta put some pics up for us to see!! I would like to see the wig that your mom bought you!!!!!! And you know, if you cant post pics than at least describe the wig...I bet it is beautiful!

Well..see ya later!
Taylor D.

Nov 18, 2008
Shana and Taylor

OH!!! The profile pic looks like your real hair!

Nov 18, 2008
kathy chi

looking great and fabulous shannon, you are doing a great thing

Nov 20, 2008
Shana and Taylor

Well it is true!!!

Nov 22, 2008
Debbie

Hi!
Sorry it took so long to write back, but haven't signed in in a while. Yes, I would love to be part of a support group. If you need help, let me know.
Debbie

Nov 30, 2008
John Paul

no location yet (your would be where i would probably go at the end of the day) - it's obvious we need to be a little more proactive to get everyone signed up so we can see where folks are located and what makes sense. If you don't mind, I'd appreciate you joining the NJ group just so we have some cohesion - I'm not running it or trying to tell anyone what to do - just organizing. thanks.

Dec 2, 2008
John Paul

Thanks - we'll figure it out...

How old are your girls? I have 2 as well - 5 and 2.5.

Dec 2, 2008
Antoinette Fernandez

Hello Shanon!! I know, this holidays are crazy!! There is not time at all!:)
The date sounds pretty good to me!! I'm very excited!! Anyway, are you going to bgdl meeting next sunday??

Dec 2, 2008