OK, so the first stile I felt I had to climb over was getting my hair cut in anticipation of the chemotherapy. You have to understand that I've always had long hair, have never wanted short hair and after a bad experience with a hairdresser, who when asked to trim 3in off my then almost hip length hair left me with it just past my shoulders, I have never darkened the door of a professional haircutter again.
So this was a big step for me - minute for most people, but this is my footpath and these are my stiles.
Some one at church suggested a hairdresser who is used to this kind of work, as he works with hospital inpatients, and someone else very kindly handled the booking and came with me. I was very relieved when he dismissed the 'shorter the better' advice from the literature and said that a 'classic bob' would be a good option.
So, here's the new style - it's a poor photo taken with my webcam, and I opted not to smile as that looked daft, but it gives an idea of what I look like, at least for a few weeks until the really radical becomes inevitable. Comments are permitted but there are rules:
You are allowed to say it looks good, because it does, it's an excellent cut and still basically feels like 'me'; I am content with it
You are not allowed to say I look better or younger - even if you think I do, because I don't want to know - I was happy with how I looked before.
You are not allowed to say I should have done it years ago - reason as above.
For anyone who wonders, I have the pig-tail carefully wrapped and safely stowed in a drawer: at some point I may be ready to part with it but not yet!
Whilst this isn't what I'd have wanted, it does mean that I now have an idea of a style I would be happy with once all this is behind me - and that has to be a good thing.
This is advance posted - I am visiting family this weekend for the last time before treatment starts but I'll be back, hopefully with a better quality up-to-date photo to go in the top right corner, next week.
Comments
Wow!!! I had my hair cut due to illness when I was 19 - and I haven't been back to a professional hairdresser since either. In so far as is possible, I am with you in this one!! No comments on the look, but lots of feelings on the act!
I hate it when hairdressers don't listen. It was the cause of a few very embarassing months when I was 13 (and who needs the extra angst at 13?).
"but this is my footpath and these are my stiles."
Last night I showed a photo of me to our House Group, in which i was sporting thick, wavy, shoulder length hair. But for obvious reasons I have no first hand experience to contribute to this current discussion. Other than - it does look good, and I'd know you anywhere! Blessings on your travels and conversations with family and friends.
It does look good. And I'd know that determined expression anywhere - however short/long the hairstyle!
As to the pigtail in the drawer - have you considered donating it to somewhere like "the Little Princess Trust" ?
have a good time with the family xx blessings xx
The hair looks good. You look good.
One courageous yet positive transformation down a few more to go.
Journey well!
Thank you all (and the off-blog email comments too).
Ang - my hair is very fine and was not in great condition anyway, to say nothing of my designer grey streaks, so not suitable for wigmaking. My next interesting taks is when the wigmaker up here tries to match my hair-colour - evidently 'no-one' has natural brown hair. And just in case anyone has some crazy ideas of colour or style - go and live out your own weird fantasies... ;-)