I'm growing my hair out to make a wig

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

for myself when I get cancer.

I actually started to grow it out for Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/). But ever since my best friend's mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and died (3 months) I've really been thinking about cancer.

My dad had it twice and succumb to it in 1988. I grew up in Nassau County, LI (cancer cluster) and I live and work in Jersey City (the dumping ground of toxic waste for major manufacturer for decades). I'm not so much preoccupied by cancer. I just think I'm taking a practical step.

Of course, I may not get cancer, but the odds of me getting it are pretty high.

Am I out of line here? The main reason I want to make a wig is because I have seborrheic dermatitis (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seborrheic-dermatitis/DS00984), which is embarrassing enough when you do have hair. I'm not vain, but I am embarrassed by my scalp and I would like to have some dignity.

Opinions? I'm going to do it anyway. Just wondered about peoples' thoughts on the subject.

[Dude!]

instead of making a wig
why don't you move out
of that toxic state?

[TooLowBrow]

i just planted a tree that i will eventually carve into a coffin












i hope you dont get cancer

[razorboy]

Why would it be a bad thing? It's your hair, and you should do what the fuck you want with it especially if that is a concern of yours. I just grow my hair out because I hate getting haircuts. Now that's dumb.

[PapaBear]

If you lose your hair I'll give you mine. I have lots of it, and if I get cancer I don't mind being bald. I hope you don't mind it brown and curly with increasing gray.

[Death Metal Moe]

It's not a bad thing, just a bit morbid. Plus, don't "plan" for cancer. You know how a self-fulfilling prophecy can work out sometimes.

[FUNKMAN]

1. hope you don't get cancer

2. you are gorgeous

3. "muah"

in the infamous words of the european neighbors i grew up with " don't be worry "...

[joethebartender]

Don't worry about what you'll look like bald.
I remember your diaper thread and that was much more to handle.
:unsure:

[boosterp]

You are a goofball! If you gravitate around this subject for too long you will become obsessed with it and it will affect your mental state.

[Thebazile78]

When you do have enough hair for the wig, make sure you go to a good wigmaker to have it made.

Also, don't get preoccupied with cancer; it's too easy to do because as soon as we start thinking about all the toxins we've been exposed to, we start worrying.

I understand 100%.

But freaking out about it doesn't make it happen, not happen or prepare yourself for it.

(I know you know that in the logical part of your brain. But the part of your brain that could obsess over it is what I'm worried about!)

[~Katja~]

I did the locks of love thing after I had my kid... it was the first time I cut my hair to shoulder length since I was a kid. Now I am actually comfortable with the shorter hair and once it grows out I might do it again.
I just felt like it was a good cause and a quick and easy way to give.

I was amazed how little hair it seemed after it was cut... a few ponytails that they made and cut off... so you would need to do it over and over to make just one wig for yourself...

Just stay positive and concentrate on giving the hair for a good cause rather than worry yourself about possibly getting cancer and needing it yourself.

[Gvac]

You're just getting nuttier and nuttier, ain't ya Fuzzybutt?

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

You're just getting nuttier and nuttier, ain't ya Fuzzybutt?

I never said I wasn't. You're better off in the long run.

TooLowBrow-- I actually send money to the Arbor Day Society (http://www.arborday.org/) to plant lots and lots of trees in memory of people. At this point I've had at least 1000 trees planted.

Thanks Razorboy. I think you and I are of the same mindset considering your musical tastes )I LOVE The Jam!). And in my youth I'd just grow my hair out to see how long I could get it. You'd think I would have been more concerned given that my dad's death was recent.

Papabear: I always wanted curly hair. Brown is fine. It would be a different look. :-)

Moe, I understand about self fulfilling prophesy thing. I also understand the theory that keeping emotions bottled up will cause cancer. I don't take much heed in that either, but I did have a therapist tell me that I vent SO MUCH that I shouldn't worry about cancer. I'm just taking that one extra step.

Funk, if Walter is still around then you know I DON'T WORRY!

joethebartender: Oh yeah, the diaper thing. Well I'm on birth control so no worries. If only it was so easy to pop a pill for all your ills.

boosterp: Yes, yes, I am a goofball. It's always been a part of my life since I lost my dad to cancer in 1988. One night I sat in my dorm room and rattled off a list of guys I'd never marry. "He can't smoke. Can't drink. Can't come from a "cancer cluster...." The list goes on. I laughed at myself and thought I should marry a Bubble Boy. Ironically, I did marry someone who had suffered form non-hodgkins lympoma. Our divorce had nothing to do with it.

Thanks Lizzy-- you are always the voice of wisdom.

Katja-- Thanks for the advice! I did think my ponytail was too sparse for a wig.

Maybe I am crazy. I'm certainly not rich enough to be "eccentric."

I just remember how much my dad's hair meant to me. I know that sounds SO ODD. He started chemo when I went back to college for my junior year. I used to go home all the time since I was so close. I chose not to when my dad went through chemo. he had GREAT hair. It was still dark (no chemical help) with some grey on his temples. It broke my heart to see him at the train station at Thanksgiving of 1988. He was a shell of a man. He wore a heavy coat and under that that he wore a heavy sweater. He asked me to drive home. It just broke my heart to pieces.

I know I'm trying to fix a trauma. Can you blame me? Thank you all for your input.

[The Jays]

When I saw the thread from the main forums page, it said "I'm growing my hair out..." and then "Alice S. Fuzzybutt", so I thought you were growing your butthair out, and I thought, "ew."

[boosterp]

PM me your hours, I need to call you back.