Hi - if you still live in San Diego and would like to meet some local folks with Alopecia, we're having a lunch to celebrate International Alopecia Day, Saturday, August 4, 2012.

We're having lunch (margaritas if you want) at Tio Leo's Mexican restaurant at 3510 Valley Centre Drive in Del Mar (It's actually in Carmel Valley, right off Hwy 56 and I-5). You can view their menu here: http://www.tioleos.com/

They're not charging us for the room, but there is a $10 per person (food and beverages total) minimum charge.

Gathering time is 11:30am - it will be casual and will continue as long as we're having fun. I'll bring my "International Alopecia Day" banner and anyone who wants to be in the photos for our annual YouTube video can. If you don't want to be in the photos, that's fine, too.
We have a private room in the back of the restaurant. Come bald, in a scarf, or in a wig - or in your hair if you have it!

Please let me know if you're planning on attending so I can give the

Mary

Thanks for the friend request, Aileen. Are you in contact with Jessy and/or Teresa of the San Diego alopecia support group? They have meetings and events for families with kids who have AA. Let me know if you need the contact info.

Hi again Aileen! I'm soooo happy for your son that his A.A. is not extensive. It was really nice to receive word from you. Take care :o)

Dear Aileen: I am very sorry it has taken me soooooo long to get back to you. I was away at job training for three weeks and had limited access to a computer. I'm working a second job (not too many hours), and finally getting used to the new schedule. Both kids still have A.A. My son's is getting better and my daughter's is getting worse! The kids still use the same treatment as before. How are you? How is your son doing? I feel like I have finally accepted that my kids have A.A., and it is for now, still naturally concealed. I don't cry about it any more ~ so I feel I've reached a level of acceptance. Please write soon and let me know how you and the family are doing. Take care Sweetie!!!

Hi again! I am certainly no medical expert, but I do not see why you could not apply Iodides Tincture to thinning areas. I read about a woman in Mexico who washes her hair in Iodides Tincture. You might feel better about using, if you do more internet research. Good luck in which ever treatment you and your child select. Best wishes always!

I'm so happy for your son!!!! Casey is using a medicated foam and it seems when we stop so does the regrowth. It's not something we want to continue using for a long term period. We are just taking things as they come. I don't cry all the time anymore and I really don't think about it all the time as each time I look at him I just see my great kid (hair or no hair). We are getting used to it I guess. All in all, things are going well. Is you husband home yet from over seas. I'm sure you and your son have been missing him a lot. Though it seems you have a lot of wonderful family support. Stay well and stay in touch, Margie

Hi again Aileen! I applied Iodides Tincture to the kids' heads every night for one month (dipping a Q-Tip into the bottle and applying it to each balding area). The next month I applied the Iodides Tinture every other night. Since then, we have been treating with Rogaine nightly and the injections every four weeks. Prior to using the Iodides Tinture, my daughter was loosing about 20 to 50 strands of hair, when I combed her hair. Once we started using Iodides Tincture, she was back to loosing just a few hairs during combing. I really feel that using the Iodides Tincture slowed down her hair lose. It was not a cure, but really slowed things down. If she or my son start suddenly loosing a lot of hair again, I will follow the same usage plan with Iodides Tincture. The kids still have AA, but it seems to be going into remission and slowly getting better for both of them. Congratulations to you son on his regrowth! That is very positive news! Email anytime with questions. Its always good to receive word from you! Take care.

Hi Aileen, I've thought of you and your son often and hope all is well for both of you. Casey had started have a great deal of regrowth but as soon as it came in he began to lose the full top of his hair and then the regrowth went as well. We are now in another regrowth mode. Seems this will be a ping pong game. Casey is doing wonderful in sports and so his mind is focused on that so much more than the hair :) How is your son? Is he seeing any regrowth? How are things at school for him. I was really glad to hear from. keep in touch. Margie

Hi thre Aileen. We are all doing fine. How are you and your family, now that your husband is back from leave. How is your's AA? My son's is about the same. My daughter may be slipping into remission. Write soon!

Hi Aileen, Just thinking about you and your son and hoping all i going well. Have a wonderful weekend. Margie

Hi Aileen. I really feel what you are going through. My daughter was diagnosed in May 07. I think the diagnosis is more traumatic for us moms then our kids or dads. I am tired of hearing people say at least it is not C. The hardest thing for me was to have to watch my daughter's hair fall out in clumps last fall. I cried every day for hours and I even broke down i front of her. A big NO NO..Then, my daughter was hugging me and telling me it will be okay when this conversation should have been the other way around. Then in Jan I had to watch her brows and lashes fall out and she would tell me to worry about myself. I feel blessed that Samantha has embraced her AA and accepts it. She has been wearing a wig for about 9 months now. There was a stage when I cried because I hated her wig and having to see her wear. Now, it is just part of her life style and I just deal with it. I feel lucky that her hair is starting to grow now with treatment. We have hopes that she will have a short cut soon..Are you trying anything? You will find lots of good advice and support here..

Hi Aileen..Thank you for the friend request. Please tell me something about your child with Alopecia. You will meet some really great people on here and make friends for life.

Hi, and a late welcome. I noticed your comment on the parent's group today and thought that it might be useful for you to read the forum post on our parent's page that was headed as, "what does it take to get diagnosed". I responded, a little too much, but I put my ideas with how to cope and how I approached the classmates and teachers and parents. Everyone reacts differently, but I hope I can help! Let me know if you need anything.

Have you brought the AA to the teacher's attention? You really should, just so she has a "head's up" and can watch out for teasing, etc. Also, you could get a doctor's note that your son must be allowed to wear a hat at school. It's real fasionable for boys to wear baseball hats backwards now. I did this for my daughter the first time around. Sometimes, her hat got knocked off, but she would cover her large spot with her hand and get the hat back again. I know it is hard. You've got to remember to be be strong for your husband too. He is going through a lot being away from his family, and I can't imagine what its like on deployment. There will be times when you need to assure your husband that everything will be alright (he is just a little boy inside too!). Your family will get through this and your son will be a stronger person for it. Remeber, most people recover from AA within a year, and a lot of those people do not have reoccurrences. If getting him treatment will make you feel better than do it! Talk to your dermatologist and see what options are available for you. I know the pain you are going through and I know its is awfully hard. You must remind yourself that you are lucky he does not have a life-threatening illness. It is a rollercoaster ride, but you've got to hang on tight!! Be happy when you son is having a good day. Know that when the bad days are there, that you will get through this. You will see happier times!! I promise!!

Dear Aileen: Welcome to the site! You are surely not alone. I know it is so hard to accept AA. But, there are treatment options you can try. Both of my kids receive treatments, and we are seeing some regrowth. Try to stay positive & strong for your little man. You know I've met people who have had only one occurrence of AA in their lives, as children, the hair grew back and those persons never had a recurrence throughout their lives! AA is sooooooo unpredictable, and there is every chance that your son is a lucky one, who will have this one battle, have the hair regrow, and never have it happen again. Remeber, when you start getting down, tell yourself, "Just as any difficult situation in this live, my son and I will both get through this." There will be better times. I'm sending you a ton of hugs!!

When Amber was diagnosed, my husband was away for work as well. I had to handle the news at the doc's office by myself and cried so much that I had to take anti depressant pills so that I could function everyday. That is more than a year ago and I stopped crying along time ago. Just give yourself time to grieve but I can assure you that it does it better the more you educate yourself and get support from others.

I have my days but I get over it really quickly. I have given myself acceptance and have accepted the fact that this might be with her for the rest of her life. I take comfort that she is healthy and that alopecia is more recognised now than ever.

It takes baby steps but it does always get better.

HI Aileen, I wanted to welcome you to Alopecia World. I can honestly say that we are a great community here and I hope you enjoy the time you spend with us and we look forward to your input. Cheryl, co-founder

Hi Aileen,
How are you and your boy or girl doing?
I just wanted to stop by and say hello and see how you are today.
LeslieAnn

Hi, Aileen. Welcome to Alopecia World! This is a great place for great people, so be sure to make your positive presence known. :-) - rj, Co-founder