Tata to the Tresses

I did it! Last night, surrounded by some of the most amazing friends and family, I shaved off my hair so that it can be donated to Locks of Love before it would be too late since my chemo-induced hair loss had begun several days ago. The timing turned out to be perfect because yesterday morning I woke up and had a handful of hair just from gently running my hands through it. We made a fun night of it as we gathered on my patio, enjoyed some good eats and wine, and my hair stylist, Kristen, prepared my hair for donation by putting it in several ponytails to ensure we got as much length as possible ready for submission. Here I am, with my son Cooper, once the ponytails were in place.

Then, it was time to say tata to the tresses (thank you, Sue, for the great catch phrase!). Using an electric trimmer, each ponytail was removed and then a quick once over to try to attempt to even out the remaining stubble (can you say GI Jane!? LOL). Sometimes it tickled and felt so weird as the hair was buzzed off that I couldn't help but laugh. It looks like I'm in pain in this next picture, but I wasn't - just reacting to the very strange and tickly feeling of the hair trimmer getting so close to my scalp.

Then, all that was remaining were bangs... ...yeah, not a look I was ready to sport...so off they came... And here I am with my little layer of peach fuzz. I was prepared to take a straight razor and shave it completely but my friends and family suggested I keep it this way for a short while to see if I even need to (it might just fall out on its own). But after one night of sleeping with the fuzz I'm pretty sure we'll be shaving it this weekend because it feels very strange and annoying when I turn my head while my head is resting on my pillow.

I was worried that Cooper, my 13 month old son, would be afraid of me without any hair but it turns out there was no reason to worry because he thinks it is absolutely hilarious. He looks at me, smiles, points at my head and when I bend down for him to touch it, he rubs my head and giggles almost uncontrollably! It's hilarious. We'll try to get that on video. Speaking of video...we taped the shaving but I haven't had time to upload any clips but we'll work on that and post it as soon as we can.

Once my hair was gone, I modeled the hats, wigs, silly hair pieces and scarves that I've begun to collect in preparation for this. Here's one of my favorite pictures of the evening - me and my dad modeling our Harley Davidson skull caps :)

I have several months of treatment ahead of me so there will be plenty more pictures of me with my bald "dome" (as someone recently called it) and it will be interesting to see what happens with my eyebrows and lashes. Til then, I'll enjoy still having them. Thank you, to everyone who joined me on this special and important night. Your presence, your support and encouragement helped me get through what could have otherwise been a traumatic part of my cancer ass kicking process, and instead helped to make it a fun event. And, thank you to those that wish they could have been there but were unable to be - I know you were there in spirit and wishing me well and that means the world to me.