It's been 3 years and 6 months. Unemployment came and went. I had to file for bankruptcy, no money in means no money to go out; no choice in the matter. Difficult to maintain a home with one income where it needs two. I had to give my car back. I managed. I survived because I'm married and my husband works. We cut back as far as possible, even moved into a lesser rent apartment. We were lucky the complex we live in worked with us. While my husband was good with everything we had our moments.…

Its February 2012. At the end of February 2011 I realized after seeing a photo of myself, that my alopecia was beyond repair; not enough hair on my head to "cover" the spots as I had been doing the past 18 years. I went to my hairdresser, who was instrumental in fixing what hair I had left throughout the years to shave off what was left of my hair.

That happened on March 5th. Its almost a whole year. I've grown a great deal. I have had many realizations, some good, some horrible.…