On Monday, I went wig shopping with Gene, Danielle and Shawn (my amazing hair stylist), and it wasn’t as fun as I had anticipated. I thought we would go to a wig shop where there would be lots of wigs and I would try them on and then maybe have to order a different color. Not so much. There were five wigs on the wall, and all looked a bit — sad. The lady handed us about six catalogues and dozens of hair samples to match to my hair. I readjusted my thinking and started flipping through the books and then I froze. My brain said, “This is too hard.” I whispered to Shawn, “Help me.” I could tell by his face that he knew I wasn’t joking around. I kept a smile on my face and tried to joke around, but everything was falling flat. And thank God Gene was there. While the rest of us were looking a little lost, Gene promptly picked out two styles of wigs and Shawn loved them. I simply couldn’t process them.
Part of the problem in picking out a style is that the model for all of the wigs was Raquel Welch. On my best day, I don’t resemble Raquel. So putting my face under her auburn hair just didn’t click for me. I’m pretty sure she looks good in anything, and I don’t have auburn hair.
Shawn and Danielle were able to color match my hair pretty well and so that part was easy. Danielle and Gene were great at deciding on the fine details. I had a great team with me. I did manage to get out of there without crying, but had tears streaming down my face when we got in the car. Fortunately, only Gene was with me at that point. He gets all the awful jobs.
On the up side, we decided to turn this appointment around and do something truly fun. For the past ten or so years, I have admired a glass head in Shawn’s shop. It makes me smile every time I see it. I figure why buy a Styrofoam head stand at $45 or more when I can get a decorator piece for $19! We went to Pier 1 and purchased a glass head to use as a wig stand. It is a bottle green glass head that is hollow. It has the advantage of being heavy so it won’t fall over in the night. Can you imagine how freaked Dolly dog would be if my head fell over and wig hit the floor next to her? She might never recover!
The sales lady carefully wrapped the glass head in tissue paper and we left with our purchase. I smiled as Gene walked through the parking lot swinging the bag. He gently placed it in the back seat and I snickered. As soon as he turned the first corner, it started rolling around the back seat. Gene said, “Don’t lose your head,” and we laughed. It continued to roll until I reached around and tossed my purse on top of it. When we got home, Gene said, “I’ve got your head.” If only it were true!
I told Gene that we needed to name it if it was going to be sleeping in the same room with us. When the Vinton Breast Cancer Survivors group dropped off a care package that included this stocking cap, I couldn’t resist putting it on the glass head. And then it came to me. From this moment on, she will be known as “Raquel.”
I leave for my first chemo appointment in a few minutes.
My love and thoughts are with you today! Wish I could be there to give you a big hug! Glad Danielle will be with you!
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. i’ll always be with you.” Of course this is between Christopher Robin and Pooh, but if I could be there to hang out with you, I would!
Much, much love and strength being sent your way!!
Gretchen
Gretchen, I love the quote! It has been a long time since I read Winnie the Pooh. I feel a new sign coming to my office soon. Feeling a bit icky tonight. Not bad, just “off.”
Thank You for being so open with your journey. Laughter is always the best medicine….most of the time. You have shared your true feelings and thank you for it. We are praying you on during this time. One step at a time or skip, jog or run depending on the moment. May the laugther always outweigh the low moments. Remember at night say “Good Night Rachel”
Praying for you today.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22
Netty, were you in the car with me? LOL. I did cast my cares to the Lord on my way to chemo when I just couldn’t stop crying. And immediately, I kid you not, I stopped crying and my chest quit hurting and my stomach settled down. I thought, wow! This is a little freaky!
I know prayer works, and I know God will walk with you if you ask him.
You and Gene are amazing! No doubt you were meant to be. This is not even close to what I expected you to post on your first day of chemo. That’s what makes you so special……you are totally unexpected!
I think unexpected humor is the best. It is the kind that makes me double over and laugh. So, I’m glad you liked the post!
My dearest friend is a 32 year breast cancer survivor. She and I both send you love, joy and strength along your journey! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Wig shopping-CHECK! What you really want to start looking for is scarves. Just think of the fashion statement you can make with colorful scarves! Make sure to talk to Shawn about coming to the house or working after hours when you decide to “de-hair” your head. My stylist suggested it and she told me to call when I was ready, whenever I was ready. What a godsend! It was just Rick, Molly (stylist)my sister-in-law and of course me. We stopped at a Kum and Go and got a 6 pack of beer. Drank a beer, cried and laughed while the clippers were buzzing. I was dreading this so much. But Diana Phipps told me to decide when. Don’t wait and just watch your hair pile up on your pillow. So we drank, cried, laughed. And when it was done and she turned me around to look in the mirror, I was well impressed! It was not as scary as I thought! Sometimes what we imagine is far worst than reality! Pink Kisses and Pink Hugs to you!
Your words are such a tribute to the marriage that you share! May your love become stronger and sweeter through the challenges you are facing. You inspire us to love better!
Kathy…I’m amazed each time I read a post that you are so brave and dedicated to keeping us informed along the way! Truly wish I could do more than cheer you on from afar but I am here and thinking of you daily. I too am a HUGE WINNIE THE POOH fan…just one other thing we have in common…I have 2 dozen Pooh Bears belonging to various members…I’m the Keeper of the Poohs…So remember Pooh and his red balloon floating up and away…so when your cares are to heavy, just tie them up in that balloon and watch it going up, up and away!
xxoo
You do cheer me Marion with your posts and your emails. I always smile when I see your name in my box. I think of emailing you daily, but the days go by so quickly. I may need a big stock of red balloons! I can just see me launching them off my porch and watching them fly over the river valley.
Being a writer…albeit a closet writer (gotta do something about that!) I enjoy reading whatever you post because it’s so visual…I see that balloon floating towards the sky filled with puffy white clouds and shades of red, gold, and brown beneath it…you, Gene and Raquel are waving goodbye to your cares! Oh it has a long tail of pink ribbons trailing…
So…..why does Pier One sell glass heads?