After clumps of hair started coming out each time Zoe shampooed, I knew that something was wrong. We went to visit our family doc, who tells me she has a type of alopecia. Zoe will probably lose about 90% of her hair, but in six months or so she'll start growing it back.
Needless to say, I've been ruminating on why (that answer will come with our blood test results next week), as well as the meaning of hair in general. Why am I so devastated for her?
If you were a caricature artist drawing a picture of my family, you'd draw me with a big nose, my husband with a bald head, my son with ears that stick out like a car with both doors open, and Zoe with really big hair. Her hair is her most salient feature, the curly mop I've been so vain about since she was born. My own hair is thin and fine, soft but insubstantial, but Zoe's hair is a wild and sensuous. It is part of our bond as mother and daughter, and I am responsible for washing it, putting it up, getting it cut, and stroking it when she's sick or can't sleep. I know that of all the things that could go wrong with a child's health, this is not the worst. And yet.
5 comments:
I hope Zoe is still feeling well.
My mind is blown every time I consider things like this that I know will be a part of parenting, but yet, there is so much to consider it makes me queasy. I hope I can do half a good at the job as you!
Usually when people lose their hair, for whatever reason, when it grows back in it is thicker and has a curl to it. That's what I have heard from several people I have personally known who have lost hair and had it come back.
Plus, Zoe is pretty young, so it's better something like this would happen now than when she's in middle school or something, right?
And you love your daughter no matter what. Make plans for fun things to do with her hair in the in-between stages of falling out and coming back - fun head scarves, skinny braids with ribbons, spray on colors, whatever. They can be mother-daughter projects (beading a head scarf so she can be like a gypsy) and will help it be more of a positive thing than a scary negative thing.
And I thought hair lice with my boys was a torment. Your little girl has my empathy. I'm growing my hair out long as one last hurrah before getting a really short more appropriate motorcyclist cut. I know how much hair is involved with a person's self image and femininity. Thank goodness she has those beautiful long lashed gorgeous eyes to carry her through.
Poor Zoe! I am thinking happy thoughts for her.
Oh sweet Zoe girl. I can't imagine her pain- but with you as her momma, she's in good hands. I'm thinking of you all~
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