DAY 4: Breast Cancer Journal

Our Health

Discussion

October 3, 2009

By Sue Kilburn The Meadville Tribune Sat Oct 03, 2009, 12:48 AM EDT

Hair.

What is it about hair?

After those comforting words that I would lose my hair, I would get up every morning and pull to see if today was B day (bald day).

It made me think of when you have a sunburn and then peel and how you just can’t stop peeling your skin off as it sheds.

The day finally came and as I was at work (Meadville Medical Center) when it started. As I traveled throughout the hospital, a little strand here and a clump there fell to the floor as the day progressed.

I wanted to apologize to the housekeeping personnel and assure them I wasn’t changing into a werewolf or something worse.

By the end of the day, I was relieved I could get out the door before anyone could comment on my new style.

I arrived home to meet my daughter, a senior in high school at the time.

I had a hat in the car that I put on and, when entering the door, my tears started to flow and I asked where Dad and her brother were.

They were gone for the afternoon and I was relieved as I just wasn’t prepared for them to see the bald eagle yet.

A few sprouts remained and I looked much like a chia pet at that point. My daughter, Corks, asked if she could help me, as we were going to clean up those remaining clumps by using the clippers.

Into the bathroom we headed, and with my head in the sink I saw the remaining pieces of my golden locks fall into the basin. I was looking at black roots at least 2 inches in length. I hollered at my daughter to explain whose hair that was?

At that point we both started laughing since I never had dark hair and we both realized the chemo had done its job. I had black roots, and my hair was all gone now, in the sink.

We laughed so hard that we both cried at the outcome, but this time it was a welcome and a relief-filled cry. The worse was over.

Final outcome: I learned that it doesn’t take long to get ready for work when you don’t have to mess with your hair, I learned that I had a good-looking bald head, and Sinead O’Conner had nothing on me. I also learned that your head can get cold and that scarves and T-shirts make great head covers — but that wigs do not (TOO ITCHY) — and I learned that nightcaps are of great value and quite funny when you are in a summer nightie.

Text Only

Our Health

Elderly, disabled and their caregivers have tremendous new local resource
The new Crawford County Link isn’t a place, but an information network to help people age 60 and older or those between 18 and 59 with disabilities stay living independently.

May 22, 2012
Teaching others brings great rewards
For the past seven years, I have been coordinating a sports fitness program for children known as Way To Win for Life (better known by the kids as W2W). While the program exists to help increase physical activity among children, this year has seen an unanticipated result among the instructors.

May 1, 2012
There’s a new children’s game in town: BEAM –– Balanced Eating and Movement
In the fall of 2010, I approached Meadville Mayor Christopher Soff about signing Meadville up as a “Let’s Move City.” Intrigued by the idea, he passed it along to a collaborative committee consisting of administrators from Meadville Medical Center, Allegheny College and the City of Meadville (coined, MAC).

April 9, 2012
Heart health: Take risk factors into your own hands
February 15, 2012
Work toward eating well ... most of the time
January 10, 2012
Christmas feasting: Enjoy but don't go overboard
December 14, 2011
Adult Halloween - Spooky tricks to keeping candy calories in line
October 11, 2011
Whole grains for a healthier diet
September 29, 2011
Oral health, personal safety key issues in Crawford County
August 15, 2011
Fad-free nutrition: July is picnic month
July 2, 2011
More Our Health Headlines

Two of five Americans are on Facebook. It seems that everyone has strong opinions of either liking the program ... or despising it. As for you:

Our Health

Search Results

Discussion

DAY 4: Breast Cancer Journal

Two of five Americans are on Facebook. It seems that everyone has strong opinions of either liking the program ... or despising it. As for you:

Site Map

Contact Us