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(9) The Headshave - Day 8












 One thing that had caused me anxiety throughout this process was the inevitable Headshave. As a women, my hair is part of my identity and for as long as I can remember my hair has been long. 

 I decided 3-4 days in that I was shaving it. Mainly to avoid washing, drying and straightening it again. But I decided to pick a day and time that worked well for everyone back home and that was final. (no backing out!) 

I put the message out to the patients at the facility that we would be shaving my hair at 3.30 pm on Tuesday 11th on the rooftop. I received very little response but what transpired on the day made it all just a bit easier. I wasn't sure if I was going to be the only one shaving, and at that point, I wasn't too concerned. Turns out 6 other patients shaved, and others come to support. 

Ineke from the Netherlands came to watch, her partner was adamant he didn’t want her to shave and wanted to wait and see what happened with her hair during chemo. She was having none of that and demanded he shave it immediately. So he did. 

I started with a number 3, by Marcus, to get through the abundance of hair, then Kellie from Canada (in my patient group) shaved it all off! 

It feels weird, really weird but it was the inevitable, it will fall out once the chemo is complete anyway!



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