Hair Today- Gone Tomorrow.

I know that Lily is going to lose her hair. We cut it a few weeks ago and I guess I didn't figure it would keep growing so fast. Lily has never liked her hair washed, or touched, and sometimes even looked at. She's got a tender nugget..and that's only gonna get worse. So since she's started chemo, I haven't been as diligent or insistent about the hair washing. Unless it's puke scented- then it's gotta get a scrub. She doesn't like ponytails(won't be an issue for awhile) headbands, hats , or bows. She'll pick them out and promise to wear them, but they are filed under dress-up accessories and not everyday attire. We were told hair loss would start gradually this week and then build. Monday night Phillip yells for me to come quick to the bathroom. I have just dispatched him for his shower and I figure someone left something all over the bathroom. "There's hair everywhere in the tub." I have 3 girls. There is almost ALWAYS hair in the tub, but Phillip has been particularly sensitive to this aspect of the chemo side effects and has literally been dreading Lily's loss. I thought it was an overly sensitive Phillip moment because I hadn't even washed her hair...but there it was. And so it starts.

In a sleep deprived moment, I had decided it would be OK to take Bella with me to Lily's check up. A rational Jen would have QC'd that decision as she placed the Synera(numbing) patch over Lily's port. The whole point was to draw Lily's blood to check her counts. It's always good to have an extra clingy 2 year old in the room for that. Live and Learn. We managed. Basically when all else failed Bella was supplied with Rice Krispie Treats and Barney videos and she minded her own business. Lily has a little rash on her neck that we are trying to identify- nothing major, might even just be bug bites- but better safe than sorry. It couldn't possibly be from any of the nasty drugs we are pumping into her. Her blood counts are still in "normal" range and we go back Saturday for the next check. As I was holding her in the office, I noticed about a dozen more hairs on her shoulders. It's time. I gotta get it cut shorter. We stop by the kiddie haircut place on the way home. She is so tired she doesn't even fuss. Bella keeps asking if it's her turn yet. She then checks out Lily's finished product and decides she doesn't really need a haircut after all. Lily has never been super-feminine despite her name. Her hair has been her identity, it's hard to see it start to go. But like anything in life- it will be temporary. And rumor has it that hair grows back curlier after chemo- THAT I've got to see! For those who may not have been able to experience it...