Buzzed Off

Cherry

By Bee

Thu, 25 Feb 2016
  • 19534 reads
36 comments
 

https://youtu.be/8CaY97M_gp8

Our hair means a lot to us girls, whether we style, colour, or just pin it up out of the way, it is an expression of our personality and the first impression anyone often gets of us. But when we go for chemo, in the face of all the implications, the loss of our hair should kind of be the least of our worries, yet sometimes it's loss just adds insult to injury. I wasn't very concerned about keeping mine by using the agonizing cold cap, but my sister-in-law who had been through chemo used the cap throughout treatment, and encouraged me to have a go, saying, yes, it's painful for ten minutes, and you are freezing cold throughout the treatment, but keeping some hair does give you one less thing to make you feel like a victim. So I gave it a go, and it worked well for me, apart from a thinning patch on the top where the cap never fits, apparently. You'd think they'd re-design... And I lost a lot at the back and on the sides after my second session, when I was sent to a different place and had a run-in, as some might remember from another post, with the nasty nurse Jane, who snatched the cap off my head mid freeze. 



As soon as chemo was finished, my hair started growing back quite quickly, but a lot of it was very short, so I made a decision to have it buzzed off. When I told people about my plan, there were mixed reactions. Some said, oh great! Well, if you want to go mad, now's the time to do it, while your hair's still a mess. And quite a few others said, no, don't do it, you'll hate it. Wait till the short hair grows long enough, then have it cut into a proper style. 



Well, the thing is, I've never had a style as such - just long hair of various lengths, worn loose, or else tied, or pinned up, but although, if I pinned the back of my chemo hair up and brushed the long fringe back over the new hair grown in after the 'nurse Jane damage', and it looked like a respectable head of hair, I got sick of trying to pretend it was all there as it should be. So I decided it had to go, and opted for the 1/2 " setting on my friend Diane's clippers, and she said she'd be happy to shave it off for me. A dear friend said to go for it, it would be a new start, and that's what it felt like - finally saying fair well to the chemo hair. 



I'm pleased with it. It feels neat and light, and it'll all grow back at the same time. I like that the best of all.



My daughter made a video of the event. Please feel free to watch and have a laugh, as we did. I must say, I found the experience quite liberating. And hey! Hair grows!!!



Bee x

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Comments

Submitted by VeraClark on

My god you're a beautiful woman. heart

 

Submitted by Bee on

Haha!!! You've cheered me up. Thanks Vera. Nothing like being told a new style suites. 

x

Bee

Submitted by Parson Thru on

I spent time watching mine recede around the temples, but I seems to have stopped. Now I just have the prospect of looking like Mr mountain-man prospector. I reckon you did the right thing. Took control of the situation. And it's surprising how fast it grows.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks PT. Taking control is important, and as you say, hair grows. 

 

Bee

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

cheekbones+pixie cut= very very cool!

I did similar when I was about 16 and everytime I went into a shop they'd say 'what can I do for you sonny' - not my finest haircut!

 

 

Submitted by Bee on

I know how you felt, I had my hair really, really short once, and a shop assistant said to a child in front of me, who couldn't decide, 'just wait a moment, dear, while I serve this young man.' 

Cool is good. Let's hope it's a warm summer!

Thanks insert. 

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

A bigsmiley and thank you to the kind cherry picker. 

Bee

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Love the 'rock chick' look.

A friend lost her hair after chemo and it has grown back beautifully, thick and lush, and she doesn't have to colour it any more, it is a beautiful exotic siver grey.

Lindy

Submitted by Bee on

How lovely for your friend, Lindy. I hope she never colours it. And I've never been called a rock chick before. Thank you, that's cool. 

Bee

Submitted by Ed Crane on

You know, hair is pretty important to men also, but I guess losing it temporarily doesn't seem such a shock to others.

I never lost my hair, but it went very wiry and thin and in fact I did exactly the same as you after chemo. I had the whole lot cut down to 1cm in the hope it would grow back normally ... it did thank God.

I didn't know about the ice cap, but in my hospital they sold excellent wigs for ladies, but (I thought) much more interesting and chic were  head scarves (if that is what you call them) they certainly made the ladies that wore them look pretty cool in my opinion.

Funnily enough I found the gloves they gave us to stop the pain of handling cold objects more depressing. I remember, after I finished treatment, seeing a lady on a train wearing the same type of gloves and it brought tears to my eyes.

Super piece!!

Ed x

PS: just saw the video after writing this ...... you look stunning!heart

 

Submitted by Bee on

Glad your hair grew back nice, Ed. Re gloves, I've noticed things like that and felt sad, but secretly wished them well. Thank you for commenting on the writing, that's very much appreciated. The hair shaving day (last Thursday) was fun, and made memorable by my daughter's videoing skills. Thank you so much for watching.

x

Bee

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Bee,

I've just read your story, then went over to check out your video. What a cool haircut, I think it really suits your face. I'd never heard of a buzz haircut until I read your story, so you've given me a slice of information here.

Just wanted to let you know and I hope things are on the up and up for you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks  Jenny, for reading, watching and for letting me know - for everything. 

x

Bee

Submitted by airyfairy on

Congratulations on the piece and the video - you look amazing!  Hair is very important to us and doing something so radical is part of a new beginning.  Thanks for sharing.

Submitted by Bee on

Hi airyfairy.

New beginning is what I was hoping for. Thanks so much for your reassurance. 

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Hi airyfairy.

New beginning is what I was hoping for. Thanks so much for your reassurance. 

Bee

Submitted by gletherby on

Lovely piece Bee. Gayle 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you Gayle. 

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you Gayle. 

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Oh, Bee...I'd never heard of a 'buzz' cut before, either, but it sure suits you...and with a name like, 'Bee' how very apt.  If anyone tells you to buzz-off now, you can...admirably.  Lovely video, to bootsmiley

A peaceful day, dear Bee, I wish for you.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Glad you liked the video, Tina. My daughter is so clever at doing these, and choosing just the right music. 

Have a good weekend.

Buzzzz

 

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It seemed to look very fresh and feminine in the end, and, as you say, nice to have it all grow fresh. Rhiannon (and congratulations to the hairdresser and your daughter, too!)

 

Submitted by Bee on

I'll pass on your congrats, Rhiannon. Thank you. 

x

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Bee

I've read the piece and watched the video, and agree with the others. It suits you, and fits in with your philosophy of starting afresh and positive. You look very well and happy too. Good on you.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks so much for reading and watching, Jean. I am feeling well, thank you. 

Bee

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Love it! Great decision Bee - take control. You look so cute too. 

 

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Picture Credit:http://tinyurl.com/zg6aojg

 

Submitted by Bee on

Love it! She looks so happy with that 'hair do'. Made me smile like this - smileysmileysmiley

Bee

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

oh good! Did you manage to read the writing? It's hilarious

 

Submitted by Bee on

Not all of it.  It's really blurry on my iPad. Would you write what it says? 

Bee

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