Back to blonde ...

It’s interesting how your hair, especially for women I think, can make a huge difference in self-confidence and attitude. When my hair first started to grow back after I finished my chemotherapy it was platinum, fine and curly! But at least I had hair - hair on my head meant I was recovering and gave me a big boost. It thought it looked cute – kind of Annie Lenox-ish! Then it turned a dark shade of charcoal gray, and became thicker and thicker. It grew in a giant swirl from the crown of my head and curled obnoxiously around my neck as if I had one of my grandmother’s perms! It was too short to style and products just dried it out even more.

My hairdresser, (I can't help it if I still use the English vernacular,) suggested that we try a brown/red shade so that I didn’t notice the curls and swirls as much. I liked it when I left the salon, but a few days later I realized that the platinum hair had made me feel kind of sexy! With blonde hair I stood out in a crowd and I made a statement; I was rocking the post chemo hairdo! Red/brown didn't look natural and it didn't look different. I had lost my mojo. The more I looked at that red hair the less alive I felt...in fact that, coupled with a few extra pounds from celebrating that I could taste food again, and a sluggish metabolism from the sudden onset of menopause, (also due to chemo) and I was downright depressed. A couple of weeks later I stood in front of the mirror and gave myself a good “talking to”. I went on a strict diet, increased my exercise and went back to the salon.

Sheri, my hairdresser was not a happy camper. " It's going to rot off your head sister!" she said, with one hand on her hip and the other pulling at my 3/4 inch hair. "I'm afraid that it won't bleach out to platinum like you want and what are we going to do when you need those roots touched up?!"  I assured her I would not hold her responsible for the outcome.  Heck, it had already fallen out once, so what if I had to shave it off again.

I sat under that drier with bleach on my head for three and half hours. Sheri had to apply bleach twice " Or you'll look like Big Bird!'" she said. "Don't be surprised if your scalp blisters," she added. But once it was washed and trimmed it looked just as I had pictured...and I was back to blonde!

It changed everything: The diet started working and the smile returned to my face. I even went out and bought a truly too tight dress for a charity event the next weekend. I do have to admit that it is breaking off at the tips in places and its very dry. OK, so I have to spray it with 10 Miracle cure twice a day and it may never see a drier again!  Sheri has told me it has to grow out at least another inch before we bleach it and the roots are not my favorite thing.  But she assures me that dark roots and platinum tips will look great!