Clever hair...

And so on to today.  I'd been told by lots of women going through this that their hair started to desert them on day 14 post first chemo.  Well, today is day 14, if counting the first day as the Friday I had the chemo to begin with.  I woke up, did a quick pillow scan, nope nothing untoward there.

A friend of mine came over this morning, we had coffee, chatted, went for a walk.. hair still intact.  Could my hair be more stalwart and trustworthy than other peoples' locks?

After she left, I went up to the loo, and was washing my hands (see, I'm a good girl) afterwards, when I noticed that there was quite a lot of hair in the sink.  Now, in common with anyone with longish hair that isn't necessarily brushed 100 strokes every morning and evening, the odd stray hair always ends up in the sink.  But this was more like eight or ten.... No big deal, right?  Sensible people would leave it at that.  Me, though, I have to grab a chunk of hair on the side of my head, just to see what happens....

Well, it wasn't dramatic.  I didn't pull a whole hank of hair out, but my hand certainly came away with far more than 'a strand or two'.  It was enough to do a colour swatch with.  So I wondered if the other side would do the same. No, how strange, the left hand side of my head is apparently holding faster than the right hand side. So, I did what anyone would do - went to show my husband what my new party trick was... and he was so upset.  I felt like a real mare!! Maybe it wasn't all that tactful - hey look - I'm going to be balder than you are soon.. but I hadn't thought he'd be so sad on my behalf.  I have to confess, looking at that hair between my fingers was more of a kick in the stomach than I'd anticipated.  It's one thing to shave your head out of choice, it's another to have no choice in the matter - or not to be able to choose to grow it back immediately if you decide that baldness is not your best image.

So, the clippers had better start warming up.  I'd said I'd clipper the lot off immediately it started coming out, but I've managed to make excuses today... but that won't last.  As soon as I'm shedding uncontrollably, it's off. Or as soon as the novelty of pulling my own hair out with absolutely no pain wears off.

I am still doing the mohican, just for 24 hours, just because I can. I've decided it's a che-mo-hican, and I will make sure photos are taken!!! Talking to an old, old friend (as in we've known each other since we were eleven, not as in she's one hundred years old), the other night, she told me she still has a photo of me with my original mohican somewhere.. now that would be amusing to see again!!!

But, the mohican will only be temporary, long enough to get some pics, and then it's all off, and I'll be getting all my bandanas out of the cupboard.  I really can't see me wearing my wig.. but never say never, it may have its uses, one day.  In the meantime, could I just ask that you all keep your fingers crossed that we've had the worst of the cold weather for this winter??!!

Take care, one and all - and just do me one favour, on your New Years Resolutions list add:

Check breasts at least once a month, not at the time of the month, and report any changes instantly to your doctor.

It won't cost you a penny - but it will make me feel so much better knowing that all my best girls are looking after themselves.

xxxxxxxxxx