Hairy Situation

For as long as I can remember, I always have hair that goes halfway down my back. Every couple years I get bored, cut my hair. After every hair cut I have a huge meltdown, I can never handle cutting my hair. I hate my hair short, even though when its long its always up. With chemotherapy looming ahead, and the knowledge I WILL lose my hair, I decided to go ahead and cut it in advance. If I can't use my long hair, why can't someone else?

Ulta offers a free haircut with a donation so it only made sense to go there. I decided to donate my 10+ inches of hair to Locks of Love. I figured if I couldn't use my hair because of cancer, I figured someone with cancer could use it. I spent 3 1/2 hours at Ulta, the hair stylist Jules was amazing. I have previously went to Jules to help with washing my hair after my first surgery. I went 2 weeks of dry shampooing my hair before I went. After those two weeks it was amazing to have my hair washed again, it was magically. As I went over possible haircuts with Jules, I pre-warned her, "I may cry," I said. I explained that I knew it would have nothing to do with her or her ability. Jules understood. I already knew any tears would be the reason I HAD to cut my hair. That my magical meltdowns of the past would be no more, previously every time I cute my hair I felt like I made a mistake. Not this cut, this cut wouldn't be a mistake, it would be statement. It was inevitable that I am going to lose my hair, but I want that to be on my own terms. Only I could chose when my hair went, and I'll be damned if cancer, or chemotherphy would make those choices for me. I told Jules, I wanted to do something funky and add some highlights. I contemplated adding pink or purple, but I decided that I wouldn't normally do something like that, so I wasn't going to do it now. While in the chair another hair stylist Ashley came and talked to me. She has hodgkin's lymphoma. She went through the in's and outs of skin care and chemotherapy. She prepared me as much as she could, gave me tips, pointers, etc. She told me the best thing, she told me it was okay not to be strong, it was okay to cry. However, when it was all done, I didn't cry, I couldn't. This wasn't because I was trying to be strong, but I actually liked my hair. I thought it was cute. Both Jules and Ashley sat there waiting for a tear to come, but nothing. I laughed, I said I love it, but it sucks that I won't have it more then a month. They both started laughing and said if I wanted to come back they would cut my wig for me too. Ashley went and got the face wipes she was recommending to me. I headed out the door. I did accidentally put the wipes in my purse without paying, I walked throughout the store before I remembered and at the last minute in front of check out I had to pull them out and say "oops" and paid. I hope none of the ladies in the salon noticed, I would hate for them to think I tried to steal $6.99 face wipes. Anyways, here are some photos of my hair before and after. I totally instagrammed the selfies, because why not use a filter if they are available??