I've been struggling with a problem I've had for almost 6 years - severe jaw pain due to an injury to my TMJ in 2005. Every few months it acts up, usually brought on by too much talking. I love to talk, and I teach dance and drumming classes.

I reaggravated the problem at the beginning of February. It feels like someone is constantly sticking an ice pick into my cheekbone/jaw area, and it goes on for months at a time. Even quiet talking is too painful. Multiple doctors and many different treatments haven't helped resolve it.

Why am I telling you this? Lately I've been imagining that a genie in a bottle (or some other such supernatural entity) offered to grant me one wish in regard to my health. I was somewhat surprised to realize that there's NO question in my mind: I WOULDN'T ask to have my hair back permanently. I would ask to have never injured my jaw and to not have this pain and limitation for the rest of my life.

How about you? If a genie granted you one health-related wish, would it be a complete and permanent restoration of your hair, or would it be something else? Asking this question sort of puts the whole "bald" thing in perspective.

Mary

p.s. Those of you who I am fortunate enough to meet at NAAF - be prepared for me to not be able to talk much, and to have to hug VERY carefully. ( ;-)