I am trying to recreate my treatment history for alopecia, starting back in the '90s. One treatment was a cream that turned my head purple and itched me like crazy. I think the idea was to stimulate the hair follicles. I had to put it on with surgical gloves so as not to turn my hands purple. I don't remember what that was, and it's not in my medical file. Anyone else use it/remember what this is?

Baby fuzz. Say the words and hearts start melting. See that soft, fine hair on an infant’s head and your hand automatically reaches out to touch, pat, or pet. Oohs and ahhs and a drawn-out “aw” spontaneously slip from your mouth.



Now imagine that same soft, fine hair on the balding head of a grown woman. On me.



In my world, talks of baby fuzz mean I have a spot of new hair growth. My baby fuzz is soft, but not cute. Certainly not ooh-and-ahh inspiring or aw-worthy. More… Continue

As I consider big changes in my life – new places to live, a new job, making new friends, maybe a new man – this is the question that keeps me up at night.



It’s such a trivial thing, but I have to be prepared. It comes up. When I get a new driver’s license, I may have to check a hair color box. If I sign up for online dating, I may have to identify my hair color, so that men with preferences can find me in a search. If I meet friends of friends at a bar, I have to be able to explain… Continue

This seems to come up a lot here on the site (and in my life). Here's what I wrote in my personal blog recently. I thought it would be good to share with you all, to see your thoughts.





It happened again.



I am shopping at Macy’s when a curly-haired brunette catches my eye from across the circular clearance rack.



“Chemo?”



“No,” I hold her gaze. “Alopecia.”



“Ah. I know alopecia. Your hair will grow back.”



In my alopecia… Continue

I love me some Oprah, I do. She struggles with her weight. I struggle with my weight. She motivates people. I motivate people. She has a passion for sharing information that can help us improve our lives. I have a passion for sharing such information (though I’ve done it on a much smaller scale). When Oprah ran a marathon, I wanted to run a marathon. And I did run a marathon. Because Oprah inspired me. Because Oprah made me think it was possible.



Oprah usually gets it right. But for… Continue