We were in the downtown area of a city fairly close to our home but we weren't familiar with any of the shopping centers there. We had to do some scouting around for a hair salon. The first few we went to were closed on Sunday, but we weren't giving up just yet. My husband is so sweet! He always offers to go the extra mile especially when he knows it will make me happy. We continued on with the help of the GPS and found an upscale salon that was open. Surely they'd be able to take a "walk in" and make me look stunning.
I went into the salon with high hopes but as I approached the receptionist's desk, I felt a flood of emotions welling up inside me and no matter how hard I tried to keep the dam of tears from bursting, I couldn't keep it together. Like a blubbering idiot, I tried to explain to the receptionist that I needed a haircut. I'm sure she wondered what kind of nut job had walked into their salon and I'm so thankful there were no other clients there at the time. I managed to calm down a little and told her that I had just recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I wanted to get my hair cut short before my surgery and treatments. She looked at the computer and told me they were completely booked up. Without groveling, I asked her if there was anyone who could just do a wet cut...just a pixie...I'd be glad to dry it myself at home. No deal. She apologized profusely and I asked if she knew anywhere else I could go.As we walked to the car, I had a major meltdown. Hubby did his best to console me and after about twenty minutes, I was able to recompose myself.
On we drove and finally we arrived back in our home town. We were sitting in the car in front of the salon the receptionist had referred us to, I was hesitant to go in for fear of another melt down. Hubby encouraged me and off we went. The wait was just a few minutes and the stylist was very pleasant and kind. After asking me what type of cut I wanted, I explained my situation to her. I was thankful there were no tears this time. She was very understanding and we began to talk about what Cancer feels like...she'd found three lumps in her breast earlier in the week. I encouraged her to go see her doctor immediately.
I watched as she cut my hair. She took her time to make sure everything was symmetrical and even. She never hurried and made sure to ask me all throughout the cut if it was what I wanted. Inches of hair fell from my head as she continued around to the back. Oh my...look at all the gray hair under there! I was watching my face in the mirror and wondering to myself...is this the face of Cancer? I looked at my best features, my eyes and my smile and wanted to scream NO! I am not the face of Cancer. I will not be the face of Cancer.
She finished up the hair cut and pulled out some styling wax...wow my hair was short! Gingerly, she moved the warm wax through my hair pulling out sections to make it piece-y and trendy. "Oh go ahead and wreck it up!" I said, "I'm going to do that when I get home anyway. Put a little funk into it!" She smiled and did as I asked. Handing me the mirror, she spun the chair around so I could peek at the back. It was cute, but super short. All I could think was at least there won't be much to fall out when it comes time for chemo.
I paid her and thanked her as we walked out of the shop. Running my fingers through my super short crop, I wondered if I'd made the right decision. I love, love, love long hair and now mine was less than 2 inches long. I asked my husband if I looked like a man. He smiled and said, "no! You're beautiful...always have been...always will be." I asked him if he just said that because he knew that's what I needed to hear and he assured me that he hadn't. I sure do love that man! I think we're going to make it through this and I think we're going to be okay.
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you are blessed to have such a wonderful husband to go through this with you!!!
ReplyDeleteYou and Phil will get through this together, stronger than ever. Much love to you.
ReplyDeleteKaren