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Learning to Live with Hair Loss

Of course, as with all cancer patients – particularly women – having my hair fall out in handfuls when I had a shower (and once even feeling it blowing out in a strong wind) was incredibly distressing. The hair loss was one thing, but when my eyelashes fell out it was really, really horrible, I looked like an albino rabbit and felt very 'naked'.. I never realised what a difference they make to your face. Luckily they were the last to go and the first to come back. It never occurred to me to buy a wig in the time of my intense treatment – just hats and scarfs - I guess i was so drained I didn't have the energy to give a shit what I looked like.

My sister bought me a wig a year after my diagnosis to wear at my 34th birthday and I've never looked back! I have 7 wigs of varying lengths, styles and colours and am still slowly adding to my collection. While some of the total hair loss I had during chemo grew back, I have patches of permanent hair loss from the radiation and surgery scars. It honestly doesn't bother me now - it is a small price to pay for survival (the only time I find it tricky is in an indoor pool when I can't wear a wig and a cap looks weird - as does a swimming cap when you're sitting in the shallows with your kids!! ( I wear a bandanna) I get my darling husband to give me a number 2 buzz cut when the patches of remaining hair grow – hate that look. I never wear a wig or scarf at home - this is my safe place and I'd never want to feel uncomfortable here. Whoever comes through the door, this is me in my space, deal with it ♥ My friends' kids (& their mothers!) love to pull my wig off and try it on themselves – I'm stuck with it for life so may as well have a bit of fun. My only rule is no-one to ever pull them off in public, then I would feel really embarrassed.

You'll need a sense of humour, but the more you're comfortable with it, the more others will be too.

Over the years I have learned to embrace my baldness...