I lost my hair twice the first time 10 years ago(45). It grew back about 2 years later dark and wavy, before it had been straight and blond. I really did not care, it was hair and I was happy to have it back. After a year of having my hair back it fell out again, then a year later I lost my eyelashes, I had the most beautiful eyelashes (I could not wear glasses they were so long). Then every hair on my body was gone,This was the change of life for me times 10. I am a polio survivor, asthmatic, with alopecia.
The past 18 years I have been a stay at home Mom, I had worked in retail for 20 years before that, I was a real go getter. The past 10 years have been safe for me, in my home and I have isolated to several trusted friends.
My Son is going off to College and my husband has suggested that I get out and start working, get back involved with life. I am scared to death at the thought of it. I wear a wig, but I feel very vulnerable. When I go out with just a bandanna, people approach me with sympathy and ask what kind of cancer I have. When I tell them it is alopecia they act like it is contagious and back off, or they act like I robbed them of their sympathy and get offended.
I really don't want to be the victim, I want to be strong, it is that sometimes people can be so mean. Over the last two years I have gained 35 pounds just stress eating, and yes I take prednisone for my asthma and that causes weight gain, but I can not blame that anymore, while I am sneaking snacks at every opportunity.
I would have thought that I would be stronger than I am, but today I feel weak and powerless. I am in Texas and it has been really hot, when I wear my wig and take it off I am soaking wet, ugh.
I appreciate this web site. It helps me not feel so alone, and that there are people out there dealing with the same stress and struggles that I do. Most of what I have written I have not talked about before, now that I have I really do feel a bit stronger. Thanks