Light, Fancy Hair!

Chemotherapy Cycle #1 * Day #19 * Day of Hair Loss #4

Today marked the fourth day of Thomas's hair loss due to chemotherapy and it was the day that Thomas wanted me to buzz his hair very short.

I actually have a very long blog post describing the emotional process our whole family has been going through around hair loss and the physical process just Thomas has been going through, and I will be publishing that when Thomas's hair loss is concluded. There seems to be a gaping absence of this information concerning childhood cancer from a parental perspective in the blogosphere: I can tell you that I've spent several weeks looking for it!

But for now, briefly (by my standards!), I will share that Thomas was so itchy today with hair falling off him continually, coating his clothing, his skin, our clothing, the bath tub, and his sheets that he wanted his hair buzzed off, which we had been ready to do or not do as he requested.

BEFORE PICTURES: From the front, Thomas's hair might look thin and fluffy but almost normal at a glance.

However, a bird's eye view revealed it was very thin with completely bare patches forming. The oncologist had said that some kids lose all their hair on top first while retaining a corona, like a monk with a tonsure, and it looked like Thomas's hair might follow a similar pattern.

Happily watching a cartoon

AFTER PHOTOS: The after photo shows the spots where Thomas still has denser hair and the patches where it is already very thin or bald.

After buzzing his hair, I used a lint roller to remove more hair. My plan is still to be washing his hair each night to help the process along gently.

Watching television

 

Asleep on his tummy

Chris and I have loved watching Thomas take the lead with his feelings and our trying to avoid him having preconceived notions about hair loss. Two nights ago while dressing in his pajamas, Thomas told me out of the blue and triumphantly, "Mama, I'm not sad any more about my hair falling out!"

Tonight I bathed him again to encourage the loose hairs to fall out. He stood in front of the mirror laughingly said, "Mama, look at me! I look so different!"

Cheerfully: "Yes?"

"My hair is lighter. I like lighter hair! I don't like dark hair."

"That's wonderful, honey."

Soon after he was with his dad looking in a mirror and told Daddy, "My light hair makes me look fancy."

"Oh yes, Thomas, I think so, too. I think your new hair looks handsome."

Thomas looked thoughtfully at his reflection and concluded, "I agree."

Thomas's feelings might change when he has truly no hair at all, but he may be completely fine. We are gladly embracing his optimism and sweet spirit moment by moment.