Tuesday, March 22, 2011

More hair loss - this time not by me!

I honestly don't need you to shave your head to show me that you love me.

So don't go home and shave your head for me :)

But, if you do it as a gesture of support, I will take it and blog about it!

Brad decided the best way to celebrate my new hair cut is by having the same one himself.
I guess copying is a form of flattery, right?

He came up with a great idea though, to get all the kids involved. We set up shop in the living room, took the clippers and got the kids to do the trimming.

There were squeals of delight as the hair started falling out in patches. The kids were having so much fun that we actually made a great family memory by shaving Brad's head.


Youngest went first. She was very sure of herself.

The others just sat on the couch and gasped...

Next kid up, first a bit apprehensive.

Then totally going for it and having fun.

Hard to tell who's more nervous, him or her.

Again, took no time to enjoy the process.

Last kid up. He takes his time.

Pauses to smile for the camera.

How excited are they?! Big grins all around.

When we were all done, they looked worried 'do we have to shave our heads too?'
After reassurance from us that they didn't need to, they happily went on their way.
Now, in our household they have both of their parent figures with shaved heads.
I guess it's the new normal.

As worried as I was (and they were) about me loosing my hair and the kids seeing me bald, this week has shown me once again how resilient and fantastic our kids are. They took it all in stride, and understood the deeper meaning behind Brad's gesture. Next time they see someone who is clearly suffering from chemo side effects, maybe in the store or at the park, there will not be that blank stare. They'll have a deeper understanding, a kinship towards them.

My kids make me proud every day.
Being their mom makes me want to beat this even more.

As for me and Brad, if you put our heads together, we may stick like velcro.

They say couples who've lived together for a while start looking like another.


We're proving that to be true.

21 comments:

Sami said...

Now THAT is love. SO THOUGHTFUL! And cute and sweet and loving. Your family is amazing!

...and you both look GREAT :-)

Sayre said...

Brad doesn't look quite as cute as you bald...

What a wonderful idea to let the kids do it! It's only hair and the end result can't be messed up so why not? It makes them a part of the process of survival, which makes it a little easier on them, don't you think?

YOu have a good little family unit there, Michelle. Lots of love. Lots of laughter. I wouldn't want to leave either.

Anonymous said...

Love. It. Simply love it!! I love your story-telling Michelle. It makes me feel like I was there enjoying the memory with you and Brad and the kids. And I 100% understand how proud you are of how everyone is handling this new "normal". Kids are the best medicine for anyone that has to face adversity. I remember when I was bald the first time around and Bella was a tiny baby and the little ones in our neighbourhood showed up at our door to see her. While they were taking their shoes off to come in, I pulled off my hat to show them that I was now bald. Our 4-yr-old neighbour looked totally unimpressed and said "We're here to see your baby, not your bald head." Ha! She was right! The baby was much more exciting than my missing hair!

Glad to see your humour and fun is back in full force in your household. Now get outside and enjoy life to the fullest! And bring your bald bookend too! :) :)

xo Dana

Anonymous said...

PS - you may notice that your stubble starts to fall out in the coming days. I liked to use those sticky lint rollers - I would just hand it to Bella and she enjoyed rolling the hair off my head :) I will never look at a lint roller the same way again! xo Dana

tweetey30 said...

hey there. that is a great contribution.. and a great family day..

How old are your two now again? and does he have just the one? sorry for the questions.. I am half a sleep here.. We have another white out here in green bay Wisconsin.. Yuckie.. lots of snow again..

Knock knock - it's cancer! said...

Sami - that WAS thoughtful, you're right. Thanks for the kind words about my family.

Sayre - well, I won't tell him you think he's not as cute as me :) I think he's way cuter. (just look at that grin of his, lol) But, you know, you're right about making the kids part of the process helps a lot. I cannot imagine in the 'olden days' when you would have to shield children from something like this, I don't think it does children any justice, and I think (at least our) children benefit from being told the truth. And shaving Brad's hair gave them some sense of control as well. It was really great!

Dana - I just love you lady! You have the BEST tips!!! Hahhaha... I am so going out and buying a lint roller today! And, you're right, I will never look at one the same again, (neither will any of the readers on this blog I bet, lol) Today the sun is shining, my bones don't ache and the stiffness in the joints is starting to go away. It's a beautiful day, I intend to enjoy it to the fullest :)

Tweets - No worries about the questions, his kids are the two younger girls and mine are the two older ones. Not by much though. Ava is 5. Kenzie is 8. Dacia is 9. Braxton is 11. They're all great and I love them all :)

Anonymous said...

Perfect! What a great gesture by Brad. And good for you for involving (and empowering) the kids. They're lucky to have such a strong mama!

pinkunderbelly

AshleyHami said...

Awesomesauce! What a great family you have :)

nancyspoint said...

Michelle, This was so sweet. I smiled my way through the whole thing. What a great family. One of my sons shaved his head twice for me. His is longer than mine again already, mine is growing back sooo slowly. Oh well. Great post and photos.

CancerCultureChronicles said...

My hubby did the same for me. Third time hair loss for me now. Whatever - it will grow back. So glad to have you in the circle.

Knock knock - it's cancer! said...

Hami - that is the funniest word. I think I'll be borrowing it "Awesomesauce" :)

Nancy - it's cool of your son to do that! I often wondered how it will grow afterwards, everyone says sloooowly, heheh.

Anna - I have spent about 2 hours on your blog today, it's very informative and nice to read a non-kumbaya version of things for a change :)

Anonymous said...

I have no words to express how awesome you guys are. Onwards and upwards.

Red

Anonymous said...

I'm SOOOO glad to hear you are feeling better! I think I've been responding to the wrong email address. I am going to try again!

Heather Miller

Knock knock - it's cancer! said...

Red - thanks for coming back to check on me :) Onwards and upwards! You're sooo right.

Heather!!! My Queen of the south!! I've been looking for you everywhere- can't add you to FB since you don't have a friend button, so you have to add me .. .I also emailed you my CORRECT email address :)

Can't wait to reconnect soon hopefully! Missed you terribly...

Genkicat said...

Hi,

I am so glad you are feeling better and out of the hospital. Love, love, love the head shaving story. You have incredible children and an incredible partner.

Sorry I haven't been commenting much, or blogging much lately. Exactly the opposite of a vacation, I'm smack in the middle of a 2 week hearing. Working constantly and every moment that my child sleeps I'm working from home too. Its nuts. But will be over next week - thankfully.

I'll be blogging soon... except for business all is very well.

Keep well, and keep blogging. I may not be commenting much, but I'm reading!

Anonymous said...

Geeez! Good thing you wear glasses I wouldn't be able to tell you two apart.

C

tweetey30 said...

I keep coming back to see those fabulous pix of your new little family. I love seeing those smiles of the kids and of you two of course.

Kathy said...

This is going to be a super fast "drive by comment!" It's just been that kind of week... I LOVE that Brad decided to shave his head too. What a sweatheart, though we already knew that. You both continue to inspire and amaze me. I get what a very painful and challenging time in your life this is both physically and emotionally. Hang in there. You are handling this as well or better than I can imagine anyone could or does. Not that it is a contest of course. You know what I mean/am trying to say. I am so very proud of you my kindred spirit! I am sorry I haven't been around for a few days. I hope to keep up better next week. I am off to a women's church retreat this weekend and think it is just what the Dr. ordered for me! I hope that you and your beautiful family have a wonderful weekend! (((HUGS)))

Mary xo said...

Michelle, this is SUCH a great post. It's why I love reading your blog! The kids are adorable, and you are a lucky lady to have a great guy like Brad. Keep smiling guys! :^)

VV said...

I think it's great that you turned a negative into a positive. I also think it's great that he shaved his head.

La Cremiere said...

That's awesome! You look happy and thats the best way to beat anything.Brad is very cool to have done that for you - that's proper love. Keep the good news flowing x