The Girl With The Scarlett Wig

from brown to red

The following week, Dr. Mincu put Alex on an intense treatment program which consisted of chemo therapy 4 times a week and 4 pills that she had to choke down every morning.

“Ugh, I can’t believe they expect me to swallow pills almost as big as my cellphone every day,” Alex complained

“They’ll make you feel better,” her mother said.

“All right, all right mom, yes, yes I do want to get better.”

Alex swallowed down the pills. Even after she swallowed them it still felt like they were still in her throat.

One month in therapy and Dr. Mincu addressed the inevitable; Alex’s hair loss. Even though Alex’s mom knew hair loss may be a possibility she was secretly hoping that it would not happen to her. Having cancer was bad enough but, having to lose your hair is like rubbing a salt in your wound …….Alex’s wound.

“You know losing your hair is only temporary,” Dr. Mincu said during Alex’s visit.

“When will I start losing my hair?” Alex asked.

“You should expect to lose it in about a week or so. Everyone takes that part of chemo therapy differently. For some, it’s devastating, for others it’s not so bad. They find other ways to deal with it. Some wear hats, others wear wigs and some even are proud to be temporarily bald. Their baldness tells others that they are warriors in a battle and are not afraid.”

“I am not afraid. I am a fighter, a warrior,” Alex said.

“Yes you are. Sometimes people find it traumatizing to watch their hair fall out little by little, but some choose to shave it off. This gives them the feeling of control over the situation. But the decision is up to you, whatever makes you feel comfortable,” said Dr. Mincu.  Alex looked at her mom.

“Do you want to let it come off or……?”

“Shave it” she told her mom.  She quickly made her

 decision. They got off of their seats and walked to the exit.

“Bye Dr. Mincu, see you Thursday,”

“Good bye, Alex”

Alex took the shaver from the drawer and went to the bathroom. She slowly took a deep breath and turned on the shaver. She reached for her hair when………

“Hiya, Alex” her sister Lily cheerfully greeted.

“Sweet bitter cherries!” she yelled shaving part of her brown hair off. The strands softly fell onto the sink.

“What are you doing? You’re not going to become one of those gothic girls with a nose piercing and a baldy head are you?” asked Alex’s sister.

“No. Something else.”

“What is it?”

“Quit being nosy wosy and go play with your Barbies or listen to music from that guy with the squirrel hair.”

“His name is Justin Beiber. And FYI his hair happens to be a combination of soft and fluffiness. You just don’t understand the hot qualities beiber has. But when it comes to hot abs and a cute face no one and I repeat NO ONE will ever beat Zach Efron.”

“I know what I want for Christmas.” said Lily.

“Zach Efron?” Responded Alex.

“No a doll that looks like him.”

“Oh glob here we go….Mom!”

“Lily, leave your sister alone she’s going through a hard time right now,” her mom said pushing her little sister out of the room.

“Just because you push me out of the room doesn’t mean I’m not listening! Her sister yelled when her mom closed the door. She shook her head and once she was finally alone she started to shave her hair. After about 10 minutes, she had a ball for a head. She walked to her room, looked at herself in the mirror,  sighed and fell onto her bed. Her mom slightly knocked on the door.

“Come in,” She replied.

Her mom came in with a scarlet wig.

“So how is it without hair?”

“Fascinating,” she sighed.

“I know this is all new to you, but don’t you worry, here.” She gave her a dark red wig with bangs.

“I got it for you.” Alex smiled hugging her mom. She put the wig on and giggled.

“Neato, but is it ok if we don’t tell lily about me having cancer? She’ll freak.”

“Your choice, sweetie.”

Alex smiled brushing her fingers against her wig hair.

“You know I always wanted to have a red-haired daughter. Not that I didn’t love you for having brown hair or anything, but the color of the hair always reminded me of my favorite flower, the rose.”

“Really? I never thought of it that way.” Alex watched the snow slowly stick onto her window and looked at every house’s twinkly lights.

“Do you want to go to school tomorrow?” her mom asked.

“I have no choice. My friends are going to know something’s up. Nah! I’m going to risk it.” She got out a dinosaur T-shirt and blue jeans. Alex always got her clothes ready the night before so she wouldn’t rush in the morning.

“Ok, well, it’s almost dinner time,” said her mother

“Ok.”

When her mom walked out of the room, Alex just sat on her bed looking at the picture of her dad and her at Disney World.

“Oh, dad, I really really miss you,” she shed a tear. Then she sucked up her tears and looked at her school from her window.  Alex always hated living next to her school, but hey, it had its advantages. Like getting that extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning.

“Let’s do it,” she thought to herself