My dear friend Lanell was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer. She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Her treatment began with chemo and she was told that she would lose all her hair after the second treatment. The night before her second treatment I cut off all my hair. Anyone who knows me knows my hair. It is really a big part of me. A place I hide. A place I feel safe. It defines me. People know me by my hair. It was very long and blonde and very healthy. I loved my hair. But, I love Lanell. What could I really do for her. The answer was a profound one. Cut my hair. So I did. On the day I decided to cut it I told my friend Amelia, also a co-worker and friend of Lanells, what I planned to do. Without missing a beat, she replied, "I'm in." Amelia also had very long, very beautiful hair. So, we cut our hair. When Lanell arrived at work a couple days after receiving her second round of chemo, there on her chair were two very beautiful braids in the shape of a heart. Then, from around the corner we stepped. She was shocked and touched. She cried and cried. We hugged and snapped photos. Our gift inspired her. She threw together a head shaving party. All her friends gathered at her house on Saturday morning. There was food and laughs and we all took turns shaving Lanell's head. It is what she wanted. She had changed a very upsetting event into a party. Four men shaved their heads in solidarity. Her dear husband Greg, now very bald, lovingly held her hand. She slipped on her new wigs and embraced her baldness. I love Lanell. She is an inspiration. She will kick cancer. It doesn't have a chance.
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