Hey Kim,

How are you? We have not talked in awhile. We need to meet soon.

Sincerely,
Paula

We may not die or being pain and we are able body but it is a mentally hard disease to have. I go to the gym usually without my hair. Sometimes I do put my wig on in the morning before my boyfriend wakes up and I wake him up with it on. He loves long hair and so do I because I don't have it of course. I know he would prefer me to have a wig on at the marathons because people do stare. We have been together almost 5 years and the more he is around it the more he is getting used to it at the marathons. Because even if I know or know people are staring at the marathons I act like I don't notice or know people are staring and approach them like I have hair on. I do wear a hankercheif but people always think I am a cancer survivor. I need a shirt that say AU on it or something I don't know. As far as disease go this one is not too bad once you get a little use to it. I will always want my hair back and I love love love pony tails and I don't know what a real one is like. When they talk to me about being an inspiration I tell them I don't have cancer that I have had Alopecia Areata since I was 5 and tell the ones that don't know about but most know someone that has some degree even though total hair loss is little more rare that those with some I guess. I have had a couple of set backs this last year and not done any marathons but plan to in the year a head and plan to widen my training with weights, cardio, yoga, so hopefully I will do better and maybe a little faster. Well I talked way too much today. Glad to see you went on a trip I have never been to Vegas. I been to Lousiana.

I actually live with my boyfriend in Clear Lake area close to NASA since I work for a NASA Prime Contracor, but I do like to sometimes go up around Katy mill mall and stuff adn would like to meet up sometime. I have been watching the Houston Chevron Marathon I did not run this year and I really want to get back into training. I have a lot of weight to lose right now. All my numbers are good but this only because I do work out and the doctor says if I don't get rid of some of the weight I will start having health problems. She found out that my thyroid was not work like it should and I am taking pills for that now so I am hoping that will help. I would love to lose 50 pounds at least. I am 202 right now. I know it will cause more health issues. I got into running because a trainer made me do it after I told him the last thing I wanted to do was run like my friend did and so he said okay start running. I mainly walk with some running because of my weight though. I have done 3 half marathons and really want to do a whole one just to say I did it. I don't like that people think I am a cancer survivor tough because I don't think I can run with a wig on. I don't not sleep with one either. One thing is I had to have a man that could except waking up to me the way I am. I can't help it I don't have hair and the older I get I sometimes tired of hiding it so much. As a kid I was told I had to understanding of other people because they did not understand what it was I had and now I am an adult I think people should be more understanding too as no one would ask for this.

Kim, I just got back here after a few days away. Hang in there. And take your time, you'll know when and if you are ready to shave your head. If you have any kind of Alopecia support group you can attend, I highly recommend it! Mine is almost 2 hour away. I'm hoping to find another one a little closer, but will still keep involved in the Indy group. My husband & I went out for our anniversary dinner Wed. night and I got several compliments from people I didn't know about my "gorgeous hair" my husband seemed to enjoy the comments, hopefully your husband will come around with time. I have been wearing wigs for about 5 months and still can't get an affirmative on any wig.....other than "it looks nice" some men are well just men...lol My right eyebrow still hasn't made up it's mind either. I am looking for who will be doing the tatoos if this keeps up.

Hey Kim,

Just checking in seeing how you are doing? I know it will take time for you and your family to deal with it and if you ever need to talk just let me know.

Sincerely,
Paula

Hello and welcome, Kim!
Let me know if you have questions. I have had this for 30 years and wrote a book about it, so would be happy to help!
Leslie Ann

Hi Kim, I hope you are doing good. My heart goes out to you too! I have found such tremendous help on here. My husband still won't give me much input about what he like as far as my new wigs, color, length and style etc... and I shaved what little I had left on my head late last summer. I still have ups and downs!!! I am having fun with different wigs, and have a couple that long. I have never had hair that was long or thick and my wig look pretty real, so I have been feeling somewhat better about myself. The compliments I get are a real lift!!! If you need to talk there are many of here you will listen!!! I am losing my right eyebrow, not sure what it is going to do??? And remember people/celeberties on TV have been helped with surgery, make-up, mink lashes and even extensions and wigs....so why shouldn't we be able to???