Alopecia World
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Pam Fitros
- 61, Female
- Grand Rapids, MI
- United States
- Blog Posts (1)
- Discussions (6)
- Events (1)
- Groups (7)
- Photos (11)
- Photo Albums (1)
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Latest Activity
AngelGirl favorited Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?'
Sarah Eisenhardt left a comment for Pam Fitros
Hi have you thought about joining us at the apple orchard this Sunday here is the link to the event.
http://www.alopeciaworld.com/events/apple-orchard-with-children-s-alopecia-project-of-michigan
Lili Añel (aka Eulalia) left a comment for Pam Fitros
I think you're terrific.
mabaker left a comment for Pam Fitros
Hello - you are amazing and beautiful - Thank you.x
Sarah Eisenhardt left a comment for Pam Fitros
http://www.alopeciaworld.net/events/cap-picnic
Are you joining us for the picnic in Troy, MI on June 4th?
Pam Fitros commented on Roger's event '26th NAAF Alopecia Areata Conference'
The creek rose...due to health issues I will not be able to attend this one. I'm bummed, but know it's for the best.
Pam Fitros replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
Seedraiser,
Please see the apology for my late response above...
I think the anger you speak of is pretty universal in the process of grieving hair loss and a forced change of just about any type. Not everyone is willing to be so openly brave…
Pam Fitros replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
Sue,
I apologize for the delay in responding to you. I had what the doc called a 'serial virus' that led to pneumonia which triggered an asthma attack that left me hospitalized between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I've been laying low…
Marie Keough replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
Thank you all so much for sharing your amazing stories. It gives me so much strength. All my life I've been told how beautiful or striking I was and you know what, I really didn't get it. Now that I'm going bald I hope that I can be…
Seedraiser replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
Hi Pam. The first time I shaved and walked around as a bald woman was a bit different for me to other entries I have read here. It wasn't an act of empowerment for me, it was an act of aggression really. I was SO PISSED OFF at having to choose…
Susan P aka DGADBS replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
Hi Pam, I'd be glad to share why I choose to go bald. I've only been completely bald since this April, but I never had a wig and never considered wearing a wig, I just don't want to wear one or take care of one. I also have to say I…
Sandra Brown replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
That is great about the guy at the salad bar. I have noticed that some guys seems to smile more at me, it is kinda a weird but great. It is strange I have had a few people whom I have never met before tell me that my hair fits me very well....it…
Pam Fitros replied to Pam Fitros's discussion 'Why Do YOU Shave Your Head?' in the group Sisterhood of Women who Shaved their Heads
Oh, Cheryl, I've thought of Rosa Parks so many times since I said no to hiding. She took a personal stand the day she chose not to give up her seat on the bus simply because of the color of her skin. At the moment she made her choice it was one…
Profile Information
- Relationship Status:
- Married
- About Me:
- I'd been a short-hair-girl most of my life, and considered hair a nuisance.
Oh, sure, hair could be pretty, really, lovely at times. But what about those other times…you know – when you wake up in the morning with chickenbutt hair at all odds and angles? When your hair outgrows your color and the shadow of your smile is eclipsed by shadow of your roots? Time and money for cuts and coloring and perms and straightening and a line of products as long as the imaginations of the hair care gurus.
And it doesn't stop there...noooo...then comes the eyebrow tweaking and the nose hair trimming and the mustache waxing...and those chin hairs! Not to mention the time for shaving under arms and legs.
I thought it would be great to be like Yule Brenner or Telly Savalis or even Mr. Clean. They had no hair on their heads and were considered exotic and sexy. Why couldn't it be that way for women too? Star Trek gave us some bald females...but you had to be alien to be bald and exotic and sexy. Baldness in real women in the real world was associated with illness, undesirability and always, always shame.
Innately unfair. Still, reality. So I groused and did the hair thing.
Then I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. One of my ovaries was as big as a lemon. The other had grown to the size of a melon. Both were full of cancer. I joked that between chemo and radiation I'd surely turn into Mrs. Clean...free of chickenbutt hair at last.
But I was blessed. After a total hysterectomy my oncologist announced he’d gotten everything without puncturing the ovaries and I wouldn't have to have either chemo or radiation.
Then, three years later, a severe stress reaction resulted in alopecia universalis. Patch by patch, here a clump, there a clump, everywhere a clump, clump, arm hair, nose hair, ear hair, every hair. Not quite as cool as I'd imagined (except for those darned chin hairs).
I'd made a date with a girlfriend for lunch and a movie. When she saw me, she wrapped her arms around me and said, "Pammy, we're going to lunch and a wig shop. I've seen dogs with mange look better than you do." Now, that, is a true friend.
After lunch, fortified by a split piece of Snicker's ice cream pie, we trundled off to the wig shop and had a blast trying on wigs of all colors, lengths and styles.
Not one to dither when I've found a direction that feels right, I had the rest of my hair buzzed and went home wearing my new wig. Some people thought I'd had my hair colored and styled. Some, didn't notice anything. Some said I looked ten years younger. It was fun...until I started getting headaches from the netting that maintained a tight enough fit to keep the wig on, and the reoccuring yeast infections in my scalp.
That's when I said: enough. I am who I am who I am. And who I am is good enough. I took off my wig and put it away. And that's when the adventure began.
- Do you have alopecia?
- Alopecia universalis
- Are you age 18 or older?
- Yes - I am 18 or older
- Your Website (Leave blank if you don't have one):
- http://boldlyblogwomen.blogspot.com
Pam Fitros's Photos
Comment Wall (57 comments)
- At 8:52am on September 29, 2011,
Sarah Eisenhardt said…
- Hi have you thought about joining us at the apple orchard this Sunday here is the link to the event.
http://www.alopeciaworld.com/events/apple-orchard-with-children-s-alopecia-project-of-michigan
- At 12:14pm on August 30, 2011,
Lili Añel (aka Eulalia) said…
- I think you're terrific.
- At 8:35pm on August 29, 2011,
mabaker said…
- Hello - you are amazing and beautiful - Thank you.x
- At 12:25pm on May 25, 2011,
Sarah Eisenhardt said…
- http://www.alopeciaworld.net/events/cap-picnic
Are you joining us for the picnic in Troy, MI on June 4th?
- At 8:50am on October 28, 2010,
Sarah Eisenhardt said…
- Have a happy Halloween Love Caden
- At 6:59pm on September 2, 2010,
RobynCS said… - Hi Pam,
Great to see you on AW and to hear more of your story. Enjoyed meeting at the Indy Conf. How is the book coming along?
I still dont have the guts to put my smooth scalp here, but I'm getting closer. Hoping to see Dottie & Joyce sometime soon.
Starting a support group. First meeting is at the end of the month and the calls are coming in. any advice would be apprec.
Take care, Robyn
- At 12:42am on August 11, 2010,
Tallgirl said… - Grand Rapids: Happy Birthday! Sto Lat!
Ex-Michigander
- At 1:17pm on August 10, 2010,
Robbi said…
- Happy Birthday, Pam! Can't wait for your book. Enjoy your day ;)
- At 12:46pm on August 10, 2010,
Pam Hagler said… - Happy Happy HAPPY DAY!!!
- At 12:33pm on August 10, 2010,
Norm said… - Hiya Pam - Happy Birthday! Are you REALLY in your '60's??? Well, think how much fun you're going to have.... you know what they say about the '60's.... so make sure you remember 'em!!
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