Facing Baldness and Finding My Superpower

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I immediately had my world turned upside down. I was facing fear and living in emotional turmoil. Going through chemotherapy and the changes that came with it sent me into depression before I could even get control of it.

Facing chemotherapy

Once I started chemo, the weakness and extreme fatigue that I experienced were unbearable at times! Simple things like walking and doing household chores became a major challenge. Even brushing my teeth became so hard for me. My life had gotten to the point that I couldn’t take a shower unattended. Due to my weakness, I had to move about my home with assistance and that made me so depressed and embarrassed. This just was NOT me, not my life! How did I go from directing and producing musicals to finding it hard to find the strength to even talk some days? I cried so many tears.

The woman in the mirror

As the days went on, I brushed my precious hair, and it filled more of my brush. I think it would have been easier for me if I had lost it all at once but I lost patches of my hair. I felt I looked like some sort of monster. I felt ugly, hideous, and definitely not feminine. One day I looked in the mirror and all I could see was a sick and dying person. I saw DEATH and it was un-merciless coming for me. Everything I saw had begun to change and everything inside me had changed. I was in severe pain every moment of every day! I asked God, "Is this the end?” I wondered if this was my time. Was this how I was going to leave my family and loved ones? No, I couldn't think like this, I had to fight for my life. But I just didn't have the strength to do it this time.

Discovering my superpower

I knew that I needed to find a way to cope, to fight! I had to stop seeing a cancer patient when I saw myself in the mirror. I longed to see something that would shake me out of this depression. Something that would make me smile. Something that would define me, my journey, and that alone. So, one day I had the epiphany! I desired to change my hair, my look! I had to change what I saw in that mirror. I made the bold, beautiful decision to try wearing purple hair.

The moment I put on the wig and looked in the mirror; everything was brand new for me! It seemed like someone turned on a spotlight and life around me was so beautiful. I found my confidence and even more I found my joy! I was able to smile and laugh again. I didn't just find a new way to cope and a new way to fight. I found my SUPERPOWER!

This purple hair gives me the strength and courage to face Fierce and Fearless in a way that I have never been! And greater still, it has allowed me to be a light and inspiration to countless other women and girls in this fight. It has become what I am known for...my purple hair, my Super Armor. I love it!