18. Mug Shots

My dad had a bit of a receding hairline. As a smart-mouth (please forgive me Dad!) teenager, I used to tease him about it on occasion, and since my Dad had a great sense of humor, we often had fun with it. One of his most common responses was to quote the Old Testament in II Kings where Elisha was taunted and threatened by some young men. "Go on up you baldhead" they had said, and Dad was delighted to describe how Elisha called a couple of bears out of the woods and those 42 youthful thugs were taught some respect for a biblical prophet!

Well, Dad is having the last laugh right now isn't he? I made it 2 weeks into chemo and my hair began falling out at a high rate, so off to Great Cuts I went where my friend Mamie had graciously offered to shave my head when the time came. 

I was warned a couple of months ago that my Lupron injections were going to make my skin more sensitive to the sun, and I needed to make sure I wore head coverings when I went outside. Of course, that was compounded immensely with chemo since I wouldn't even have the protection of hair, so my daughters have pooled their fashion advice along with Juli to buy some hats for me. Keep in mind, Juli has always suggested (correctly it seems) that I am not a hat person, but because she has become quite protective of my health, she has helped me pick some out. And I also had some old ones.

I've always had a bit of a fascination with what it is like for people to have to go through chemo, but I've also never felt it was OK to ask and it still remains impolite to stare doesn't it? I guess in some ways I feel like these updates help people that were like me to gain understanding so they are better prepared to be helpers and encouragers. It is often emotional for Juli and I as people say kind things to us and do kind things for us. Your words and actions help more than you know. Most of the time, we have been able to manage quite well, but many we know who have dealt with this have had a horrible time. It is something that we have little control over however, so while we manage well, we are also finding humor in the moment, and praising God for His near presence throughout.

For the fun of it, I thought you might enjoy seeing the hats. To add something less boring than my face, I thought I would hold coffee mugs in the pictures. Our friend Stacy didn't know about the plans for mugs, but thought "Mug Shots" would be a great way to portray the different hat looks. How appropriate! So "Mug Shots" it is.

Enjoy. And maybe leave a comment as to your favorite style hat?