donna walker margolies

Female

Carlisle, MA

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:
Married
About Me:
I'm a suburban at home mom with nearly 20 years of nursing experience, 13 as an ER nurse. I experience total baldness first in the summer of 2007, noticing rapid hair loss in June and total baldness by early August. I was diagnosed by a skin biopsy. i've had hypothyroidism since 1996 and have maintained good levels on
Synthroid. I received multiple steroid injections in my scalp and experienced total, even thicker regrowth by the late spring 2008! Sadly, I had nearly total body hair loss again by May of 2009, just in time for my son's Bar Mitzvah , despite attempts to stop the shed with oral and injectable steroids. Now it's Jan. 2011 and without any further medical interventions I have 80% of hair re growth on my head and some signs of body hair too. Fortunately I never completely lost eyebrows or lashes.
Do you have alopecia?
Alopecia areata
Are you age 18 or older?
Yes - I am 18 or older

Comment Wall:

  • LeslieAnn Butler

    Hello and welcome, Donna!
    I know how hard alopecia can be; I have had it for about 30 years. After I became the spokesperson for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, a lot of women were needing my help and support, so I wrote a book called, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" If you're interested, you can find out more on my page -- and let me know if there's anything else I can do!
    LeslieAnn

    Apr 1, 2009

  • Linda

    Hi Donna, we're almost neighbors, I'm in Harrisburg, welcome to alopeciaworld!

    Apr 2, 2009

  • Cindy

    Hi Donna, I am Cindy and I am in Mass too..My 7 year old daughter has Alopeica and is having regrowth now with treatments. How are you doing? I have helped organize some get togethers in Boston in the last year. We would love to have you join us the next time we plan a lunch in Boston. ..Cindy

    Apr 4, 2009

  • Kelly

    Hi Donna, thanks so much for your comment. Please also read my blog post about growing up with Alopecia because I think it too will be something you can relate to and I think (and hope) it will encourage you about how hard this journey has been for me but that there is positive outcomes too. I see you mention being sad and angry and that's ok - it's good that you are allowing yourself to feel it. I accept that this is my situation as it is, but I want my own hair back and when the cure if there, I'll be first in line. :)

    May 22, 2009

  • Karina

    Hi Donna!! I´m from Argentina..I have telogen effluvium..and now itñs hard to me to face the world.-How about you? Are you wearing a wig?

    Jul 11, 2009

  • Lynn

    Donna,
    I just was diagnosed with scarring alopecia and am beside myself. I am so upset every day... I need to get it together though because I need to still work, we just bought a house here in West Hartford and I have a mortgage now. My boyfriend has been wonderful but I am just so unbelieveably sad every day. I need to talk to someone. It burns and itches every day and the ibubropen i'm using isn't helping. I'm on clobetsol too and had injections from a Dr at NYU. I feel so helpless. If you didn't think it was weird I'd love to talk to you over the phone. I just am so sad and just need to talk to someone else that has gone through this. If you're ok with talking please let me know. My personal email is clbates01@hotmail.com. Thanks.

    Aug 2, 2009

  • JeffreySF

    Happy Birthday Donna!!!

    Jeffrey

    Aug 6, 2009

  • Cindy

    Hi Donna, thanks for the nice words on my blog about Samantha. She will be getting her 1st haircut in 2 years just before school starts. She is very excited. She has about 95% of her hair back now...Do you know about the New Englang Alopecians United, Inc group here in Ma. They will be planning events and I am sure we will see you then..Cindy

    Aug 14, 2009

  • JeffreySF

    Hi Donna,

    How are things going with you?
    Did I tell you about the Boston Get-Together? It's actually in Medford. Not sure if thats close to you or not.
    I have it posted on the Events page. Have a look.

    Jeffrey

    Sep 7, 2009

  • Donna DeHoog

    Hi Donna....How are you? Saw your name in the group of Rn's with alopecia. I have been a RN for 6 years now....

    Sep 8, 2009

  • Donna DeHoog

    Hello Donna!

    Very nice to meet you! Yes I am still working as a RN....I work in the cardiovascular intensive care unit and currently looking for a different position. Kinda burned out of the ICU scene. I wish I could tell you about vacuum wigs but I do not know yet. I still have hair but it is quickly reaching the point where I am going to need to make a decision...UGH! I have hypothyroidism and despite my levels being "normal"..my symptoms worsen almost every day. :( I am going to an acupuncturist...he seems to think he can help me....guess we will see. There are lots of folks on here that know all about them. I do hear that they can be very hot though. Are you looking into getting one?

    Sep 9, 2009

  • Donna DeHoog

    Hi Donna....do you have alot of pain with your hypothyroidism? I do! I have been to my acupuncturist twice now....it really seems to help. I also noticed I didnt have as much hair come out in the shower today. He definitely keeps saying that he can help me. We'll see.

    Sep 10, 2009