Although I would have liked to keep my Mother's Day post front and center for awhile, I feel like I must forewarn you about a big change on the horizon. Right now I am on what many consider to be two of the toughest chemotherapy drugs. Without a doubt they cause complete hair loss, usually beginning the 15th day after your first chemo treatment. Sure enough, like clockwork, last Friday (my 15th day after chemo was initiated), my hair began to fall out. I woke up in the night and felt a few loose pieces on my face, then noticed a few more strays on my pillow in the morning. Over the course of the weekend, I have gradually lost more and more hair. I have since tied it all up and decided not to touch it until Tuesday. You see, I have never been the type to sit around and see what happens. I would rather take the bull by the horns and jump right in with both feet. So, for the past few weeks, I have had Tuesday, May 10th marked on my calendar as "Baldy Day". Tomorrow, I will be shaving my head and saying good-bye to all these curly locks. I find it sort of funny and ironic, that me, of all people will be losing their hair. My hair, whether I liked it or not, has always been my sort of calling card. If people were describing me to someone else, it was always, "Oh you know Meghan, the one with the curly red hair." I am proud to say my buddy Andy & I were even voted "Best Hair" in high school for goodness sakes! I also have to laugh a little and wonder if God is playing a sick joke on me or trying to teach me a lesson because I have always complained about my hair. It was always "too red" or "too curly" or "too frizzy" or "too poofy." My mom has repeated to me for YEARS, "You should be grateful for your hair. Do you know how many people would pay good money for hair like that!" Just as I have finally learned to accept and appreciate my uniqueness, there goes my hair! I guess I will now have to accept and appreciate my uniqueness in a new way now- with Demi Moore's GJ Jane look! :) When Mike's mom was battling cancer, we learned of a wonderful place by the name of "Susan's Special Needs", located in nearby Pleasant Ridge. Susan is an absolute Godsend and makes this entire process so much easier and less traumatic. She specializes in all things related to what women may need during and after treatment. Anything from wigs, hats, scarves, mastectomy bras, specialized pajamas for women going through premature menopause due to chemotherapy treatment--you name it, she's got it. She and I have found that we share a million different connections - not only did she assist Mike's mom during this time in her life, but she knows many of our other relatives, her daughter's name is Meghan and she also just graduated from Miami University, where I went to undergrad. Susan has taken exceptional care of me and wants to make this experience as comfortable as it possibly can be for me and my family. Unless you or a loved one has gone through it, you would never believe what goes into the process of getting a proper wig. It is so detailed and intricate and truly requires a professional like Susan and her amazing staff. This process began my first day of chemo where we had to go and pick a wig type (human hair or synthetic), decide what length, shape, cut, and color. We found a human hair wig that looks exactly like my hair does when I wear it straight, and we color matched it very well. The wig arrived last week and it looks great! I never thought I would even want one and figured I would wear scarves all the time - but it will be nice to have on those days when you don't feel like having everyone look at you like you are sick. Once Susan and her staff shave my head tomorrow, the process of properly fitting my wig will take a few more hours. Susan's team will complete the initial fitting and then go hand stitch the wig to my specifications, come back out and fit it to my head, and then repeat the process as many times as necessary to ensure a 100% proper fit! So, I will come into the shop with hair, and actually leave with hair! So, enjoy these last few images I took a few days ago of me with my curly, red mane and be prepared for an entire new look from me tomorrow. My wonderful friend Kyle will be going with my mom, Mike and I in order to help document this next phase of the journey. Be prepared for my Mr. Clean look-a-like pics soon to come! :) xoxo, Meghan Hopefully, it will eventually grow back out and start to look something like this....
38 Comments
Meagan
5/9/2011 08:36:33 am
It looks like your hair when you straightened it? You mean you get to have the beautiful hairstyle everyday without the time/work it took you to get your hair like that?!?! Bonus! I want one too!
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Brinley
5/9/2011 08:38:27 am
Meg,
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kelley
5/9/2011 09:00:00 am
I had to laugh at you describing not embracing your hair until recently. I have MANY vivid recollections of you complaining about your wild red mane. I'm sure once it grows back you will like it more than you used to :) For now, I am excited to see what your new "do" will look like, and am so happy that someone like Susan exists to make this a little easier on you. I love you, kel
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melissa borg
5/9/2011 09:22:21 am
Meg~
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Liz
5/9/2011 09:50:03 am
Meg,
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Betty
5/9/2011 09:56:41 am
Dear Meghan, just wanted to let you know i am thinking of you, and your in my prayers all the time.
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Kara
5/9/2011 10:22:30 am
I have ALWAYS loved your hair. If I knew you when we were little, I would have been sooo jealous that you looked like my Cabbage Patch doll:). The recent pics of you are gorgeous also. Can't wait to see Kyle's photographic documentation tomorrow! I will be thinking of you on your "baldy day." And no worries, you will look beautiful no matter what!
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Doug
5/9/2011 10:27:54 am
Like so many others have already said, you are so beautiful inside and out, and, although your hair is/was gorgeous, it is your eyes, your smile, etc. that really makes you beautiful. So I'm thinking of you each day (as you know, since I see you most days) and will be thinking of you tomorrow, too. I love you.
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Amanda
5/9/2011 11:06:35 am
Hi Megs! As always, I so admire your attitude and let's move forward mentality. Can't wait to see the "new do" tomorrow. I'm sure you'll make a gorgeous "baldy!" So glad you were able to find a place to make the transition and positive experience. Love you and thinking about you!
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Julie Doman
5/9/2011 11:17:26 am
Love those cheeks and those curls :) They will grow back redder and curlier than ever. In the meantime enjoy your perfectly straight beautiful wig and keep focusing on the positive.
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Kyle
5/9/2011 11:37:43 am
Like I said before (and many people have already said), you are beautiful with or without hair! And its much quicker getting ready too, good point Melis! Thanks for letting me be part of the "baldy" day, I will happily take photos and do whatever you need. Love you Meggie-Poo! xoxo
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Elizabeth
5/9/2011 12:10:34 pm
Meghan,
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Becca J
5/9/2011 12:35:59 pm
Just curious if you will be doing a one handed push up like Demi? And I hope you'll consider a mullet as an alternative.
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Erica
5/9/2011 12:54:37 pm
Ohh I am so glad you found Susan's Special Needs. That place is a godsend! I'm proud of you for just moving forward with the head shaving-it's almost like you're saying to Cancer-"It's OK buddy I'm in control of this one!" I'm happy to hear you had some time to do errands and be a normal adult! Thanks a ton for writing on Joyce's website by the way. Perhaps I'll be seeing you around Beaumont one of these days :) Love you!!
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Nichole
5/9/2011 01:01:48 pm
Meg, You just make us all want to be better people, you are changing the world, you really are! Your attitude, your photos, your writing, your beauty (regardless of your hair), you just exude wonderfulness and spirit, and you make everyone that knows you want to be a better person!
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Aunt Carol
5/9/2011 01:53:08 pm
I was so NOT expecting baby doll Meghan! It's fun to have tears in my eyes just from laughing tonight!
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Deb & Bob Hart
5/9/2011 02:31:17 pm
You will definitely miss your beautiful red locks but having been through this before, you will find there are some advantages. For example, it takes less time to get ready in the morning and it saves you money - less shampoo and conditioner! Plus a chance to experience a new hair do. Good luck with the next step and thinking of you often.
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Aunt Erin
5/9/2011 02:40:04 pm
Megs,
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Janine
5/9/2011 02:42:27 pm
Lemme tell ya - that wig is gonna come in real handy in 20 years to cover up your gray hairs - cuz coloring & highlights are quite expensive! ... Hairy or baldy - whatev, ya know we all love ya:)
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Ree
5/9/2011 03:35:51 pm
Well..when I think about it..you were always doing a new do..so this will be like that..i remember when you were blond and straight few years back .. you have a bumpy path ahead of you baby girl..I know you can do this..with Mike at your side you can do anything..and you will. cant wait to see your pic's tomorrow
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ree ree
5/9/2011 03:40:40 pm
that pic is when your name was "Meghan Kathleen Precious Sheppard"..can see you in my minds eye..you would rock back and forth with that smile with one hand on your hip..you are so darn cute !! xoxxo
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Aunt Bev
5/9/2011 04:14:29 pm
My goodness Meghan, I'm gone for a couple of days and there was SO MUCH to catch up on!
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Laura Martin
5/10/2011 02:52:37 am
You will be just a beautiful bald as you were with all your ginger hair. Stay brave beautiful girl.
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Mama GinaV.
5/10/2011 03:35:33 am
Meg, You are AMAZING! I love your spirit and honesty. You Go girl! I hope you are feeling ok~ Hope to see you soon!!!! LOVE YOU!
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Future_Mom-in-law-Diane
5/10/2011 05:37:52 am
Hair is highly over-rated. Just think how the men have decided bald is the new hot look! But we are still looking forward to seeing the new creation.
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Gina V.
5/10/2011 06:44:18 am
You look BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
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Sara
5/10/2011 06:51:16 am
Meg ~ Hair ain't nothin' but...well HAIR! I love that you decided to GI Jane it - I smiled so big at that Demi picture and your baby picture...both so representative of YOU: the wonderfully, fabulous, passionate YOU, who with our without hair is still strong as ever. You're such an inspiration, Meg and quite simply, I'm proud of you and proud to call you my friend. We are with you every step of the way!! Can't wait to see your new do!! XOXOXO
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Marty and Keely Daley
5/10/2011 07:19:00 am
You are a beautiful person inside and out.....You will look gorgeous no matter what is on your head....a scarf, a wig, a hat.
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Melanie
5/10/2011 07:58:16 am
YOU WILL ROCK your new look! With that smile, how could you not?!
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Aunt Carol
5/10/2011 08:29:42 am
After seeing your new look earlier, just like all of your aunts, I have a memory to pass along. Only it never included you...until now.
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Andrew Doman
5/10/2011 09:17:29 am
I had been asking my mom to send me the link to your blog for some time now, and she claims that it was a message from you to her when you mentioned the best hair award, which prompted her to finally send it to me. That may be the case, but I don't buy it. I think people underestimate the strength of the ginger connection.
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Katie Ceci
5/10/2011 11:51:47 am
Meg-
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Tracy A
5/10/2011 12:21:12 pm
I can't wait to see your GI Jane look! I mean come on - you could make a lampshade look beautiful!!Hugs, Tracy
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s
5/10/2011 01:40:10 pm
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Sheri
5/10/2011 01:43:34 pm
Hair or no hair, inside and out you are a beautiful person. Love, Sheri
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Pam
5/12/2011 12:52:19 pm
Meghan,
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Amanda K
5/13/2011 10:56:06 am
where is the cabbage patch catalog picture?
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Maggie Danhakl
6/27/2014 02:22:33 am
Hi,
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