I've just got back from my first haircut in 8 months. The last time I went there was the end of March to get my hair cut short in readiness for my neck dissection operation. I remember that day well. I've known the girls in the hairdressers for years and there were a few tears when I told them about my cancer. I remember walking home apprehensively wondering what the future held and what my treatment was going to be like.
They were so pleased to see me back today, there were plenty of hugs. My scar was inspected and they all wanted a look at the feeding tube. They worked wonders with my hair. I now have a short layered style, and my old colour has been cut out so I am now grey. Actually grey isn't the right word, the girls called it silver which I like the sound of much better. I had a flick through the colour chart in readiness for when I am allowed to dye my hair again, I like the look of ash blonde.
They were all asking me what the last 8 months have been like. I didn't really know how to briefly sum it up. It's not been like I expected at all, it wasn't better or worse, just different. It's not been great but it's not been too much of an ordeal. So I settled for saying it's been OK but I'm glad it's all over.
Someone asked me if I feel different. I said I don't feel like the old me, it's more like a different version of me. My priorities have definitely changed and I think I have become more serious and sensible. They had a new machine in there for drying nail varnish and a load of new colours. The old me would have found this very exciting, now it doesn't interest me. They have also acquired two tanks of small fish. You put your feet in there and have the hard skin nibbled away. The old me would have whipped her socks off in a flash. The new me immediately thought of the possibility of infection and politely declined the offer of a free trial.
I really enjoyed the walk back this afternoon. I popped into the convenience store for a browse and I bought a magazine. I also stopped to chat to a couple of neighbours out walking their dogs. Before my cancer I woud have taken an ordinary activity like this completely for granted. I certainly don't now. I remember it wasn't that long ago that I didn't have the energy to walk very far, and I'll never forget that month waiting for my hearing aids when it was impossible to chat to anyone. I hope I'll carry on getting pleasure from small simple things, it's been an unexpected bonus.
So it's been a very good afternoon except for my husband not liking my new hair style. He didn't actually say so, just made some comment about it'll soon grow.
