Tuesday, May 10, 2016

The Hair Blog Part 1 - Alopecia

As a personal project for the month of May, I am writing a 3-part-blog about Hair. 
I'll be writing updates on my hair loss disease, what life is like on the road with Hair das Musical, and lastly what it's like to have Alopecia whilst performing in the musical....Hair.
#irony #chaptersformyfuturebook 


MY ALOPECIA:

GROWTH! GROWTH! GROWTH! 
For the past four months, I have experienced a significant amount of growth. That's right! Hooray!


Milestones include:

- a full pony tail
- pigtails 
- blowdrying on a regular basis
- hair tickling my neck (squee!) 


Here are some pictures of my progress: 


Today: 


10 Months ago:

More growth: 




Alopecia is for life. There is no cure. No magic spells.

With this in mind, I understand that my growth could very well be temporary. That's just something I have to accept. My hair is now longer than a pixie cut and I'm beginning to find parts of my femininity again. It's incredible to feel warmth on my scalp again; to have something to shampoo. Oftentimes, I even forget I have Alopecia. There are days that feel normal again, well, as normal as can be while traveling in a hippie tribe around Europe. But still. More normal than before.

There are still some sucky parts. With growth, comes loss. 





There still is one bald spot on my head that hasn't grown in since I was first diagnosed. Luckily, the other parts of my hair has grown long enough to cover this spot without notice. I'm no longer embarrassed by this spot, which is a big step.

Every morning when I wake up, every time I shower and every show when I take off my wig, a small amount of hair sheds.



Some days, I simply toss them into the trash as part of my routine. Some days, I stare and count the strands I've lost. There's always a pinch in my throat as I stare at them -- my breath shortens and my chest feels tighter. My brain becomes puzzled again as to why this happened to me. How could my body abandon me like this? And why me? I could question it day and night, but I realize that won't stop me from having this disease for the rest of my life.




A few have asked about the regiment I've been doing; whether I'm still gluten-free or if I think the regrowth is a direct result from my PRP treatment. 

A few answers: 

- I am no longer gluten-free. Traveling around Europe would be a nightmare if I optioned gluten out of my diet. I am surrounded by bakeries, fresh baked rolls for breakfast, if you are familiar with #tourlife, you understand the insurmountable problem of finding any kind of food.

- I do believe the PRP has contributed to some of my hair growth. Because I do have the bald spot still, it's tough to gauge. I'm led to believe that the treatment worked because this is the longest my hair as been in two years. So, I have Dr. Bauman to thank for that.

- Yoga, journaling and letting go. I journal as much as I can, practice yoga when possible and I let go. Letting go of anger, sadness and the need to be in control. This has led to happiness which in turn, I believe has helped my hair grow back.

- I use two different shampoos and a medical concentration prescribed by Dr. Bauman. (Pictured below). The T-Gel can be found at any CVS. I have been trying out the Numis Med that I found at a German Apotheke and have found that my scalp is less itchy.


My regiment.




Talking about Alopecia to other people has gotten much easier as well. Could it be because I have hair now? Maybe. Sometimes I wonder if my newfound strength comes from my new appearance or if time has helped build me up. I'm not quite sure yet. I'm going to be on this journey for quite some time. I could be bald tomorrow, actually.



I do know that I have a wonderful job performing. I'm traveling the world. I have a soulmate who loves me no matter the hair count on my head. 

Another cool, eye-opening #Oprah moment is learning over and over again that I have control over my perspective. Always. For now, I choose to cherish the gift of growth. It excites me. It makes me giddy. I choose to embrace this stage of my life and will cope when the next season comes. My hair does not define me, but damn does it feel good to have again. Even for a day. 

For those who have followed me alongside this journey, thank you. Whether you are one of my closest friends or someone simply catching a glimpse through my blog/vlogs, I really appreciate the support. 




Plus, now I have the raddest headband collection. Ever.



Hair today, gone tomorrow. Please, stay tuned for blog two - Hair das Musical. 


21 comments:

  1. Nice post!

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  2. Hello! I am also going through Alopecia Areata and I just want to say that you really are an inspiration to me. You are gorgeous, girl! Both beautiful inside and out :) Sometimes, I feel like I don't know what to do so I am so thankful that I came across your blog. You are SO strong and I appreciate you blogging about your experiences!

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  4. Hi, you are gorgeous and I am happy that you are a strong woman. I just like to ask if you have been to any alopecia areata treatment before? Actually, there is a cure to that but you have to go under treatment. I know one hair care center in Singapore, they have effective products and real testimonials too. Please visit their website: www.laofoyehair.com/, I really want to recommend it to you as much as I want to help. My sister too is having the same problem, that's why I come to know the center.

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  5. I saw your story and it made me feel like I am less alone. My loss isn't as extensive but I have been down about it. My hair seems to grow thicker when I am not stressed (i.e. In the summer not teaching) and then falls out again when I start teaching. :-/

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  6. Hi. Continue growing your hair with a scalp detox treatment. It Clarifies Scalp from Impurities and Promotes Hair Growth. 1st Trial Scalp Detox Treament is @ $38, very cheap and effective. This is until 31 October Only. Inquire now and you will definitely love it.

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  7. Have you tried traditional chinese medicine to help grow hair?

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  8. I just want to thank you for sharing your journey. You are very courageous - alopecia can be so depressing on top of everything else. Keep your spirit up! God bless

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  12. Glad to hear that you are doing well since your PRP treatment here at Bauman Medical and that your hair is the "best it's been in two years!" That's awesome! Good luck in all of your adventures and the next time you are in town, let's try to treat that one last stubborn bald spot! Regards, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, M.D. - Bauman Medical http://www.baumanmedical.com

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  15. Thank you for sharing your experience with alopecia. I am struggling with hair loss and it is very frustrating. Reading your blog makes me feel empower. I struggle by feeling sad about my problem. I have done the PRP as well. It did work, but as soon as I stopped treatment my hair started to fall. I had to stop because I am trying to expand my family.

    Thank you again.

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  18. Your story is so touching. I am currently facing a lot of stress in my life. Planning a wedding, facing my his and family drama, getting our lives stable, and just recently loosing my job. I have been feeling really low and I think all of these factors are contributing to my significant hair loss. It is really worry me. I use to have really think hair and now everyday it kills me inside to comb my hair or wash it because I will see pumps of hair falling off. I am glad I have encountered your story because now I know I am not alone on this journey. I have a appointment to see the doctor next week. But I do believe it is due to my depression and the stress I have been dealing lately. I am only 25 and losing this much hair is scary to me and I am... I guess at this stage now I need to accept it and begin to learn with this new change in my life...

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