Extreme Makeover

I have always loved "BEFORE" and "AFTER" pictures.  I imagine the "Before" photo shoot going something like this---the photographer says, "Okay--no make up, slump your shoulders, stick your belly out, and give us a sad face--PERFECT!"  In the "After" photo the person is all gussied up, standing up straight, sucking in, and all smiles.  We will call these before and after photos:

"Extreme Makeover: Breast Cancer Edition"

(to be fair, I am unintentionally slouching in BOTH photos)

                BEFORE                                                                                                 AFTER

         

I was traumatized when my hair started coming out on day 12--I was shedding more than usual, but thought that I wouldn't have to shave it until the next round of chemo.  Day 14 I didn't dare touch it because each time I did tons of hair would fall out!  I knew the time had come.  I felt melancholy all day thinking of the task of shaving my head.  Now I would not only feel like a cancer patient but look like one as well.  Some tears were shed (by me) and then my good husband encouraged me and reassured me that he would love me with or without hair--which is really only fair because I have loved him without hair for years!  Eden loves to pretend that she is a cosmetologist so I let her give me a real hair cut.  She had fun with that and enjoyed having the chance to cut some real hair.  Then Chad shaved it.  The kids were very concerned and kept asking "Mom, are you sad?"  I told them "Yes, and it's okay to be sad."  They reassured me by telling me "it will grow back" and "it actually doesn't look too bad".  We cut it all off outside and as soon as we finished it started to rain--I thought "Maybe the heavens are having a little empathy for me!"  Now that it is off I can deal with it.   I am looking at the bright side of not having to do my hair for a while.  Emerie was so funny--she looked at me and then at Chad and said proudly, "I can tell which one is Mom--she has earrings."  I asked her "What if I take my earrings off?"  To which she replied,"If you go in your closet to get clothes--it's you, and if you go into Dad's closet to get clothes-- it's Dad!"  Wow--so glad that she has a back up plan!

(editor's note:  After writing this post I looked up the word slouch to make sure I was accurately describing my posture.  slouch  [slouCH]: stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping way--PERFECT.  Happy also to learn that when pronouncing the word "slouch" the emphasis is on the CH.)