T(www.buzzfeed.com)
Search & Rescue: Wigs Through Breast Cancer
*Pink Post* In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month #bcawareness #survivorshit #pinkeverything • • I was browsing Buzzfeed the other day and saw the picture above of the joker Halloween wigs and was immediately transported back two years ago. Chemo brain ain't got nothing on me. After I was diagnosed, I was on the hunt for the perfect wig. A wig that was going to give me a sense of myself while I undertook the greatest challenge of my life. We journeyed to a custom wig shop tailored to cancer patients to get fitted for a beautiful wig. Different styles and colors glared down from their perch on multiple shelves. Where do you even start? My mom pointed to the one. The soft beach waves bounced as the clerk rustled it down for me to put over my natural hair. I didn’t realize a wig could look so real. The hair stylist colored and matched it to my current hair, an ombré, and it was long silky and the real deal. It even had a hair line woven in to make it look like I had a natural part. No Donald comb over. I donned her Madison and thought at the very least, this will look better than my natural hair! See, silver lining.. always! “You are so lucky to have that,” coworkers and acquaintances commented on what I should feel lucky about during cancer was always ironic. No, Karen. The inappropriate comments at work continued... “Ohh Amy! Are you wearing a wig today because you lost all your hair?!?!”
That was one of my favorites. I’ll just go cry in the bathroom now. People can be so downright idiotic.
Yes, I’ll admit. I was fortunate to have some semblance of myself in a time where everything you know to be normal is stripped of you. But in no way, did I feel lucky.
However, when I went to submit to insurance to see my coverage, as the wig shop forewarned, “hair prosthesis” ran the gamut of coverage: they told anecdotes of insurance covering $1,500 wigs while other customers were reimbursed for $150 or even less!
Go for it. Be a fighter; as they nudged me out the door with my new locks. Thanks for the pep talk.
The arguing commenced with insurance. We wouldn’t take no for an answer; and the transferring and the endless referral to different managers to help you “get in the right direction” was disgusting. You are a cancer patient and struggling to stay afloat; everyday is a fight.
I was also trying to survive a a toxic work environment, chemo treatments and maybe even put some damn lip gloss on to brighten my hallow face. What insurance puts you through, is just one grueling part of the process. Just another game. The icing on the cake.
We finally were referred to a person that “was going to take care of us.” It was one (of many) conversations that really stuck with me.
The manager said I should just go ahead and find a wig online and they would reimburse me for $150. I lost it. I don't know what set me over the edge: if it was the Halloween ads for costume wigs (it was Fall) or Kylie parading around in neon wigs but I snapped. This is not dress up for a Lady Gaga costume; this was my life. “So what do you mean? I should just special order a Party City wig?! Get a rainbow clown wig and wear it to work?! Like f'ing Bozo the Clown?!”
Silence ensued. He managed to get it out: If that’s what I wanted -- I should go ahead.
The insensitivity and ignorance was laughable. It was so intrusive. What if this was your mother, sister, or wife? Until you lose your hair, you really don't have a damn idea and how much of a loss it is especially for a woman.
Nothing was resolved & he continued with his script.
I know survivors' who have gone outside the box. Maybe not with a clown wig. But, if you really want to flip the script and be platinum or don mermaid hair or try a bold red--Fucking do it!
You want a sassy, just-for-fun-kind-of-wig--ain’t no one stopping you. Your body, your journey and if that means no wigs and comfortable beanies.. I tried it all too. You do you.
Not to be trite but sharing is powerful. Cancer can be very isolating. When I saw this post on Buzzfeed, I laughed. Believe me, I wish I had the luxury to causally enjoy modeling Halloween wigs for a party. For cancer survivors, it can be a trigger: a smell, taste, or picture, that transports you back to that moment. Back to your fight. October can be challenging for breast cancer survivors and for those still fighting. I want to jump on the band wagon too and eat pink cupcakes and wear "Save the Ta Tas" shirts but sometimes, I really want to just tell you plainly, it sucks. Just remember, everyone is silently suffering through something. Be kind and more empathetic to our friends (and foes) around us. Even if you just want to tell Linda at work to eff off and she can’t be apart of your coworkers’ lotto pool.
#breastcancersucks #newnormal #breasties
#cameoutstronger #sowillyou
The Look Book
Let’s start from the beginning...here is my hair and my ombre weave pre-chemo. Nothing like hair extensions! #hairgoals
Alter Ego Madison. Hayyyyyy! Here is Chris and I (my brother, not my lover) at my fav Bub City in Chicago. The power of hair can lift a female’s confidence instantly. Get it, Maddie.. Er, I mean Amy. :)
Always wanted to be blonde! Good thing I lost all my hair so I had the chance!
#thingshappenforareason #canyoufeelthesarcasm
My special order Party City clown wig. I caved. I kid, I kid. There was a photobooth with props at a party and it was just too fitting.
I hoped you enjoyed a glimpse into my hair journey.
