Shaving my Head
Ah, the classic emotionally-charged scene where the cancer patient breaks out the electric razor and shaves their head. Good times.
My hair has been coming out in handfuls and making quite a mess, so I decided it was time. I invited Jeff and the kids into our bathroom and started hacking away with a pair of scissors. Julia was excited at first but then didn't want to watch, so she and Claire played on their iPads. I don't even think Claire noticed what was happening. After I trimmed off the length, Jeff shaved my head with his clippers. It's a little patchy and uneven but that will take care of itself soon enough.
The whole experience was kind of empowering -- a nice f**k you to a society that values women based solely on their appearance instead of the funny, smart, amazing people they are on the inside. I was already a low-maintenance girl, but my morning routine just got a hell of a lot shorter. And good riddance to those four newly sprouted gray hairs.
I've never done anything dramatic with my hair before, except for a few sprays of Sun-In when I was a teenager. Suddenly I have unlimited choices. Rock the bald head? Wear an antique pink wig and pretend I'm a celebrity? Bangs? Straight hair? Curly hair? Fun hats? Scarves that scream cancer patient? I modeled my wigs for Claire and she just said "no" to every one. Julia likes this pink wig.
It's too bad that my hair will already be growing back by Halloween next year, because I've thought of some great bald-headed Halloween costumes. Moondragon, of course. Uncle Fester. Mrs. Clean. I'd be the hit of the elementary school Halloween parties. All of the kids would want pictures with me!
Maybe by next Christmas, I'll have a cool pixie cut.
My hair has been coming out in handfuls and making quite a mess, so I decided it was time. I invited Jeff and the kids into our bathroom and started hacking away with a pair of scissors. Julia was excited at first but then didn't want to watch, so she and Claire played on their iPads. I don't even think Claire noticed what was happening. After I trimmed off the length, Jeff shaved my head with his clippers. It's a little patchy and uneven but that will take care of itself soon enough.
The whole experience was kind of empowering -- a nice f**k you to a society that values women based solely on their appearance instead of the funny, smart, amazing people they are on the inside. I was already a low-maintenance girl, but my morning routine just got a hell of a lot shorter. And good riddance to those four newly sprouted gray hairs.
I've never done anything dramatic with my hair before, except for a few sprays of Sun-In when I was a teenager. Suddenly I have unlimited choices. Rock the bald head? Wear an antique pink wig and pretend I'm a celebrity? Bangs? Straight hair? Curly hair? Fun hats? Scarves that scream cancer patient? I modeled my wigs for Claire and she just said "no" to every one. Julia likes this pink wig.
It's too bad that my hair will already be growing back by Halloween next year, because I've thought of some great bald-headed Halloween costumes. Moondragon, of course. Uncle Fester. Mrs. Clean. I'd be the hit of the elementary school Halloween parties. All of the kids would want pictures with me!
Maybe by next Christmas, I'll have a cool pixie cut.
As always, I have more to add:
ReplyDelete- Jami omitted some very cool pictures of her with hacked-with-scissors hair. I think she'd make an awesome biker chick.
- No matter how much hair has been falling out, there's still a lot more than you think stuck to your head. (I take hope in this, for myself.)
- Buzz long hair *with* the grain. Could have been done 10 minutes faster if I'd listened to Jami's advice on that.
- We had brunch plans immediately after the shave, so Jami threw on her favorite normal wig and a toque (American translation: beanie) and off we went. Dive right in.
- Julia immediately began a meltdown triggered by the hair change. Did I mention brunch plans? She only calmed down after 30 minutes of wig wearing and some maple syrup. I'm afraid how she'll handle seeing Jami bald again.
- Turns out that kissing stubble isn't fun. Go figure.
Ha! Now you men know-stubble sucks. And I’ve always heard Daniel sat toque but didn’t know how to spell it.
DeleteWhenever I shave off a beard (usually once a year) I like taking pictures as I go. It's fun to try out silly/bold styles I'd never be able to pull off. Eg handle bars, neck beard, etc.
DeleteI think besides wigs and scarves, you should consider going bald (when it’s warmer) but with huge ass earrings. It’s be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI just bought three pairs of dangly earrings!
DeleteHi Jami and Jeff. I like the pink wig. It reminds me of the Little Ponies and their rainbow-coloured manes.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is a great way to share information, and lets your wonderful sense of humour shine through. I am sending turbo-charged positive vibes your way.
It's Evelyn, by the way. Google doesn't seem to revognize me.
DeleteThanks Evelyn!
DeleteI didn't think it would happen so quickly. That chemo is some powerful stuff. Hope it's having the same effect on the cancer. (f cancer).
ReplyDeleteThis makes it seem more real for those of us at a distance. Gotta say...you have lovely neat, flat ears, Jami.
Love you all.
Eleanore
I watched a few youtube videos of Tig Notaro and enjoyed them. She's brutally honest. I was never a huge fan of Gilda Radner, but Notaro certainly deserved that award.
ReplyDeleteEleanore
SO fucking proud of you. Making cancer your BITCH. I bet it was super empowering. And you have a beautiful head and look gorgeous without any hair!!!
ReplyDeleteI once tried buzzing my head (from long hair) without first shortening with scissors. It was a disaster. I started at the widow's peak and got about an inch before the clippers jammed irreparably with my hair still stuck in the blades. Since I had started front and centre, there was no going back. I started hacking with scissors and made a bloody mess of it. Val came home from work and found me scissors in hand looking like I'd been attacked with a weed whacker. Oh, the shame. She attempted to fix it for me but there wasn't much she could do. I now understand why cleaning products always say to test in an inconspicuous spot before going all in.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that shaving your head is liberating even for a man. There's a reason monks typically go bald.
ReplyDeleteJami- this blog is incredible! LOVE THE PINK WIG on you!!!!! But honestly, you look awesome with no hair! I've always been a fan of a shaved head- just asked my husband. ;-) He'd be happy to talk tips and strategy for how he does it in a few minutes flat.
ReplyDelete