Standing Ovation

Also,

Another member of the ListServ posted this earlier today. I love it!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.  'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.' So she did, and she had a wonderful day.  The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she only had two hairs on her head.  'Hmmm,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.' So she did and she had a grand day.  The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.  'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail.' So she did and she had a fun, fun day.   The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.  'YEAH!'  she exclaimed, 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is Everything! 

Hair loss is a common side-effect of chemotherapy seen in cancer patients. Although many will often say that "Hair is just hair, it'll grow back", the issue can often run much deeper. Hair is not just hair, it's something that is a part of our personality, like our laughs and our smiles. The hair loss associated with chemotherapy is a strong symbol of a cancer patient's plight. Because momma bear is due for a stem cell transplant sometime in the summer, this is an issue that I have been thinking of quite frequently. Before all this stuff happened to us, as someone viewing from the outside-in, I used to associate the hair-loss as a sign of frailty and sickness. However, my perspective on the issue couldn't be any more different now. Now, whenever I see a patient suffering from chemotherapy-induced hair-loss, I see it as a true sign of strength. This might sound a bit awkward, but I really do think that this image, this "symbol", is actually quite beautiful. To see someone fighting so hard and willing to do whatever it takes, it is a sign of bravery, strength, and perseverance. One that deserves a standing ovation.