When I received the diagnosis on November 10, 2006 that I had Stage 2 hormonally positive breast cancer, for a little while my world stood still.
I had so many questions about what my future would be like, and why cancer picked ME of all people. I had just moved into my house, I was in graduate school working on a second Master’s degree and I had just started growing my hair long…MY HAIR.
It hit me around the first week after my diagnosis that if I had to have chemotherapy, my hair would fall out. I was not prepared to not have any hair, but it was at that time that I decided that IF my hair did fall out, that I would let it grow back naturally.
I am now three years and a half past that diagnosis and three years passed my hair falling completely out and growing back. In the beginning people would ask, “How long are you going to let your hair stay like that?” I would tell them that this was the new me and it would be like this until I wanted it to be some other way!
I like to think that I take pretty good care of my hair…I get complimented on it several times a week and with every compliment or question, I say to myself that I need to start a blog for ladies (or men!) that have questions about having natural hair. As a result, My Hair is Me was formed.
Back when I did not have hair for those three months that I was recuperating from chemo, I jammed to India Arie’s, “I am not my hair.” However, I have recently realized that my hair is definitely a part of me and I will do what I have to do to take care of it, even it if means trying out different types of products. So take a journey with me into the world of natural hair. This blog is for YOU!
Please keep in mind that I am NOT a professional, and this is a learning experience for all of us. If you have questions, I will do my best to answer them. I follow a LOT of hair care blogs, and I encourage anyone that is on the journey, already in the journey, or considering natural hair, to read and learn as much as you can!
I am a year out from chemo and still can't find any blogs on the hair struggles we encounter, especially as black women.
ReplyDeleteI was transitioning when diagnosed so my avoidance of a big chop was all for naught! Right now, my hair is growing back like a white girls. I am trying to accept the hair I now have but to think my naps are gone is too much for me to take! I want a big, glorious, nappy afro!!
Thank you for this blog and I'm warning you now: I will be stalking you!
Hey Joede, when my hair started growing back, it was very straight and I was pissed that it wasn't curling too...but now, three years later, it's GOOD AND NAPPY!!!! Just give it some time. I think I went through about three different textures of hair before my real hair came through. Think of the changes that a baby's hair has.
ReplyDeleteWow, just you telling me that helped to ease my frustrations!
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