Let's begin with a little science lesson: Hair loss occurs because chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells - healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Hair follicles, the structures in the skin filled with tiny blood vessels that make hair, are some of the fastest-growing cells in the body. Ergo they are among the most susceptible cells in the body killed by the treatment (an odd oncological oxymoron).
For the entire duration of my pre-Stem Cell Transplant chemotherapy treatments I was fortunate enough to experience very few side effects (ok, actually none). And one of the main (or mane) side affects that I dodged was the dreaded hair loss. Right or wrong, hair is an important part of our culture - for both men and women. Telly Salavas allowed us to embrace the noggin notion that bald is cool, but for many it's still not a hair style that they are prepared to rock - particularly in the midst of all the other changes associated with the disease. I confess that it's not all that critical to me (dome warmth aside), but I can sympathize and now empathize with those that are uncomfortable with this result - albeit temporary.
however, that final dose of nuclear-strength chemo that I received as preparation for the infusion of my new batch of stem cells, was the one that done did in my do. And when the redlocks fell from my apex, they abandoned all other follicles north and south and east and west. I was truly a denuded Natey.
Like the swallows of Capistrano, my hair has come back (and curiously with a bit less white and seemingly straighter than before). The process has been a slow progression, which for me, the slowest return appears to be my ears. Crazy, right? Well, I'm known to be one who marches to the beat of a different drum - ear drum in this case. So if you catch me scratching at my ear like a frustrated dog chasing an elusive flea, just know that the slow growth of hair in my organ of Corti is progressing. Once that's done, I should be completely returned to my original fuzzy, wuzzy self.
