Chemotherapy took away her crown and glory

[My Friend]

OP, what was her hair like prior to chemo? Was she relaxed? Natural? Was her texture the same and what length was it? Share her HJ up until she started chemo.

 

[Supergirl]

beautiful hair--I just want to dive into those luscious coils--and glory to God that she made it through!

 

[Philippians413]

OP, what was her hair like prior to chemo? Was she relaxed? Natural? Was her texture the same and what length was it? Share her HJ up until she started chemo.

As a child, my mom had very short hair. She was the only girl, out of 5, whose hair wasn't long. Her mother and sister's hair could reach WL if they wanted, but she had to fight for shoulder length - and even then it wouldn't be all of her hair. Their hair ranged from natural to relaxed, but remained healthy and long no matter what they did. I'm not sure of what my mom's true texture was back then because her hair was either straight or in a picked out fro (based on photos).

Fast forward some years (she's in her 20's now) and she gets a jherri curl (it was never dripping wet though -and she didn't cary around jheri juice lol). Shoulder length came easy then, but I'd never seen it stretched now that I think about it...so it was SL curly and around 3b. This is the style that she keeps for 15+ years and the majority of my life.

Fast forward some more years and she's now been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She stops getting permed and the curls no longer look the same. She begins chemo, and a few months later goes to the salon and gets her hair cut to NL and straightened (not sure of the texture at this time, but the stylist commented a lot about her "curly hair"). Her hair remains like this for 2 weeks and then starts falling out. Shortly after, all her hair is gone and she begins wearing wigs. Her hair took months to grow before it got to the point in the first picture that I posted. This is when I decided to learn about hair and made my decision to go natural.

 

[robot.]

Beautiful!

Thank you so much for sharing, OP. My mom is going through something similar and I've been trying to think of ways to help her on her hair journey. This is so inspiring

 

[reeko43]

Lots of hugs and prayers to you, your mom, and the rest of your family. My grandmother had breast cancer a few years ago and shows no signs of it today- and my mom's was in stage 4 by the time they found it so I know exactly how you're feeling. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you.

Thank you so much for your offer of support Philippians413, by sharing this you have helped me so much already God is so good!!!

 

[reeko43]

Stage 4! I know that was a very scary time for your mom and your family. You are all truly blessed to have her with you. How did your mother react to losing her hair? I am sure it initially was the least of her worries; but, I know that it had to be hard for her to experience such a drastic change.

 

[Philippians413]

Stage 4! I know that was a very scary time for your mom and your family. You are all truly blessed to have her with you. How did your mother react to losing her hair? I am sure it initially was the least of her worries; but, I know that it had to be hard for her to experience such a drastic change.

It was very hard for her. Her hair started falling out at work when she was with a patient (she's an RN and is on her feet for the majority of the day) and had to wait until she got a break to go to the hospital's store for a wig. She told me that she cried on her way there and she cried some more when she got home. I cried because she was upset and my younger siblings (one was in elementary school at the time and the other was in middle school) cried because even though they knew she was sick, with her hair gone, they could "see" her sickness which made it more real for them.

 

[naijamerican]

Thank you so much for sharing these pictures. They brought tears to my eyes. God bless you and your mother.

 

[Nonie]

Philippians413 thanks for sharing so freely and taking us on the journey you all went through. So moving! Indeed you, your mom, your family are proof that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I love all the support in this thread. Praying for all who said they are dealing with something similar that they may find grace and strength and courage. Giving thanks for the blessings shared thus far.

 

[JazzyOleBabe]

Our GOD is an awesome Doctor. Thanks for sharing your Mom's story and journey. Stay blessed and a early Happy Mother's Day to your Mom.

 

[DesignerCurls]

Thank God your mother is alive and healthy! Her hair is beautiful! Thanks for sharing OP!

 

[HairPleezeGrow]

Thank you so much for sharing OP! I'm so glad your mom won this fight and bless your family. My mom just got diagnosed a month ago she has stage 4 liver cancer and we are trying to fight her fight as well. Hers was colon and metastasized to her liver. She did get the tumor from her colon removed completely so she only has the one to fight with her liver. She just did her second week of chemo and I can already tell this is going to be a long battle. I am so proud of you and your mom and thank you again so very much for sharing this is such inspiration for my family and am going to share this with my mom! I'm in tears right now and gives us hope not just on a hair journey but a journey of a healthy life... a living life

 

[Cien]

Philippians413,

God Bless your mother, and you as well. Thank you for sharing your mother's hair journey through these pictures! Simply awesome!!

:Rose:

 

[Valerie]

Thank you very much for sharing your mother's story. God bless her and you!

 

[g.lo]

To God be the glory, He who holds the whole world in His mighty hands!!
thank you for sharing this testimony and encouraging others.
Beautiful head of hair!!!!!!