Women’s Hair Loss Project

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This beautiful story of inspiration, strength and understanding  was written by Becca, a member of The Women’s Hair Loss Project Network.

Yesterday started like one of those days that you don’t even want to get out of bed for me. Tuesday, my 2 year old and I both had the stomach flu, so between her vomiting anything that went in and me having a mind numbing headache, we survived. My husband decided that he would take the day off yesterday to help us recooperate and maybe do the five loads of vomit laundry that we accumulated. I had to get my normal bloodwork done, I have it done every two weeks because of my hypothyroidism, so we had to find a lab that would accept my new insurance. I had some bad experiences in the past with waiting in the lobby of these places, till they actually forgot I was there and turned out all the lights. I didn’t want another experience like that, especially being sicker than I normally am.

I reluctantly put on a wig, it was colder here so no bald head outside, and we left the house. Once we got to the labcorp building I just wanted to go home and lay in bed with a bucket. After registering with what I thought was just a receptionist, she informed me she does the whole shebang, registery, bloodwork, and follow-up. While she was entering all my new information, she turned around and said, “Ya know, I was just diagnosed with what you are getting bloodwork for.” I laughed a little and said good luck! Here is a woman in her early 50’s, very put together, almost looking defeated when I said that. I realized how it came across and I explained to her that what I have is a very rare form of the disease and all my symptoms are extremely heightened. She asked me about some of the symptoms, like my hands and feet fall asleep, my joints ache, exhaustion constantly, etc. And then she mentioned hair loss. I’m not one to get embarrassed, so I just told her, “Yeah, mine is so bad, I shaved my head a few weeks ago.” She just looked at me and then told me that she too, is having hair loss in quarter sized patches and it scares her. I thought of all you ladies immediately!! I could see in her face this look of upsetedness and sympathy. I knew what I had to do for her and the hairlossproject. I told her how devastating it was for me at first and how I found support with you ladies. I told her how I cried all the time at first and really felt alone. I told her that acceptance will come, no matter what happens with her hair. She asked what it was like with no hair, with a wig, etc. and I told her I could show her. She jumped back, like maybe she was worried I would show her just because she wanted to see. I told her it was okay and that I was fine with it and I took my wig off. The lady almost had tears running down her face. I turned my head all around and showed her where new bald patches were, where old ones had tried to grow back in, where the hair was changing colors, etc. I tried to reassure her that mine is a very extreme case when related to hypothyroidism and she may never get this bad. She got a little upset and told me she was really worried about it. And I don’t know what happened next, because I’m not a super touchy-feely person, but I kept thinking about you ladies and the strength you give me, and I grabbed this ladies hand. I held her hand in mine and looked into her eyes and told her that she would be alright. She really wasn’t alone and there are so many people out there just like us, who deal with it with a smile everyday. She laughed a little, kind of nervously, and then said, “You look really pretty with no hair.”

What should have been a normal visit to get bloodwork done, felt more like a crusade for you ladies. I got in the car afterwards and told my husband the story. He just smiled and told me that I was just doing my job. I was doing my job. My dad always told me I was wise beyond my years and could change someone just by saying hello. Interactions like that are what make me get out of bed, make me go into public, push me to support awareness of my disease so that people like that nice phlebotomist knows that she isn’t alone and it happens to so many people. Now, I want to know why it’s so easy and fulfilling to help others and why is so darn hard to help myself sometimes!?  Craziness I tell you!

What a forever long blog, I’d love to hear if anyone else has run into a situation like this? It’s the first time I really met someone in person that had pretty much what I had. Anyways, I hope all you ladies are taking care of yourselves and know that I’m thinking about you all the time!!!! THEY MAY TAKE OUR HAIR, BUT THEY WILL NEVER TAKE OUR FREEDOM!!!!! ~Becca

Visit Becca in The Network - Or leave your comments and thoughts below. We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you Becca for sharing this story with the network and now sharing it here as well.