Alopecia World
Where acceptance is all there is!
My alopecia story in pictures (Part 3)
March 2012
I am now head shaved and getting permanent make-up. I have also noticed I now lack arm and leg hair - so there are a few perks to alopecia universalis i guess
I decided that if I was going to get brave and try to go wigless and scarfless then vacation in the Caribbean was a good place to try it out. I still wore my wig to dinner every night though ...
After 4 months with this longer wig and it's itchy lace front I decided I was over my long hair and in April 2012 I bought my short wig. I was very, very happy with it. No itchy lace front. Bangs to cover the hairline. It was sometime later that spring that I had to start wearing false eyelashes.
In March 2012 I managed a severe cooking burn on my forearm and rushed out to the Urgent Care clinic near my home. I realized when I got there that I forgot my wig. The clinic staff's lack of response made me decide to go wig free at the baby shower I threw that night. My co-workers were so positive that I decided I could do this! This summer was very hot and I was outside a lot so aside from work I usually went wigless and scarfless.
July 2012
Aug 2012 with my step-dad
Now I alternate between my scalp and short wig. I am planning to cut the lace front out of my long wig and cut long bangs into it so I have another option since it is no longer a "secret" I was wearing a wig. Sometimes I go to work without my wig. Now with winter coming I will probably have to wear it so I don't freeze. I still get a few hairs on my big toes (Thanks God) but no other shaving is required. I am usually fairly positive and am able to appear confident. Sometimes I lose my composure. Sometimes I get sad. Sometimes I worry that my son will be embarrassed of me someday. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I pray with all I have that it will grow back. Sometimes I hope it doesn't (I actually don't enjoy fixing my hair!). I would like to get my eyelashes back. I don't care if I never have to shave my legs again. I think it sucks, but then I am happy I am not really sick. It has made me less judgmental of others flaws and style choices. It has made me kinder and more thoughtful of others. Sometimes I think God just wanted me to step outside my shallow box and see beyond the skin. I was not a bad person before. I was outwardly kind but sometimes mean thoughts came across my mind about someone's physical appearance. I realize now this is so unimportant that I don't even notice anymore and I am quick to stick up for someone when a snide comment is made based on appearance only. I went to Alopecia websites and saw women who were drop dead gorgeous and completely bald and I knew I could live with this. There is one picture on this website and it says "I am not sick. I am only stronger". I hope she is OK that I put that here. All I know is that her picture spoke to me. It gave me courage. I hope this story can help someone else like other women's stories and pictures have helped me.
Comment
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Comment by Megn on April 14, 2013 at 11:01pm
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I have not been on AW in so long. Your story is one of the only ones that I really relate to. I work most of the time without my wig and at home and family's homes I'm wigless too. The way you described how you are ok most of the time, but not ok 100% of the time is how I feel. I am glad to read that we all can be good and still have emotions come up. I just hit my one year mark. No re growth. Tried several treatments. Done trying, taking the year off. Blessings, Megan
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Comment by ASRN on December 10, 2012 at 9:32pm
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Haha - I have reached acceptance but that doesn't mean I don't hope every day for regrowth. I started wearing my 1st wig almost exactly 1 year ago and officially lost my last eyelash late summer. Not a single new growth yet .....
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Comment by Starshine on December 10, 2012 at 10:59am
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Hi ASRN. I thought your blog was so inspriational and as I have a very similar hair loss pattern, I was wondering if you had any regrowth since your original post. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with and I am trying to reach acceptance as you did, but I am so hoping it will grow back.
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haha - I know me too!
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Comment by Dani on September 17, 2012 at 3:59pm
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Wow thank you for sharing you story and photos. I'm touched by your honesty about the lessons you've learned from your journey. A really inspiring, interesting and helpful blog.
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Comment by Casey on September 17, 2012 at 11:31am
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I want to save this because I took no pictures of losing my hair, but it pretty much followed the same pattern as you! I hated my first wig too. There is a whole learning curve on that one!!!
AND I AGREE- WHAT IS UP WITH THE TOE HAIR? haha I have AU but I have toe hair, knuckle hair, and armpits. totally sucks. If I grow hair on my legs I am going to lose it!!!
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Comment by Angela on September 16, 2012 at 3:22pm
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Again amazing! Loved your journey through pictures and thanks for sharing. Your are beautiful!
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Comment by Sophia on September 15, 2012 at 3:06pm
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A big help I meant:)
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What a beautifully written story. You are such an inspiration. But really - who needs hair being as gorgeous as you? :) great blogs. I know it will be a big to many, many girls on here.
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Comment by Debs on September 15, 2012 at 12:28pm
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Thank you so much .. your photo journey has taken away a lot of the fear I am experiencing of the unknown. You are an incredible lady with inner and outer beauty. Deb xxx
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