Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Doing The Chemo On A Whim For A Prayer---


I was doing some tooling around the blogger scene tonight and I notice a bit of a downer trend. There were hospitals and sicknesses and deaths and a leaky anus (ani?) out there, and things sure seemed a bit bleak.


A few years ago, my sister called me and told me the bad news. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I said "Oh no! But you have GREAT boobs!"


Needless to say, my sister needed a bit of cheering up. The trouble was, I had bit off a huge chunk of work- commiting myself to an enormous remodel all by myself. Sometimes a laborer would be hired to help here and there. But for the most part, I needed all of my money to go to materials and so the cheapest labor around was my own. All this to say I was unable to head south back to California where she was and do something goofy to cheer her up.


So while in Grants Pass and working hard, I drank a few beers and shaved my head. I mean with a couple of disposable razors and some soap. And boy did I make a rash of things.


I guess skin takes time to toughen up to a razor because I had shaving bumps and rashes all over. I put an aloe vera leaf on my head and rubbed it around for an hour, and even THAT stung.


Sandy had started her chemo and her hair was falling out. This was an act of solidarity and to make her laugh. Then I decided to drive down to Santa Rosa after all for a short visit (how could I not?) where she was and surprise her.


Boy was she surprised.


My brother Steve said- "Scott. Normally, you're not a bad looking guy, but you are the UGLIEST bald person I have ever seen. What the hell is that ridge thing you got on top there?"


My sister was a bit kinder. She said- "Oh my God. I don't know how much more trauma I can take. Don't you ever do that to me again, especially in my current state. And put that damn hat back on before you scare my cat."


If they were right, I decided to at least use the new me to my advantage. I started walking into late night 7-11 stores and just doing that crazy shiver thing. Ever do that crazy shiver thing where you try to push your brain out of your forehead and it makes you shake? Well I would walk into the center of the store and then just do that and see how long it would take the clerk to go cover the button. It usually wasn't long at all.


Anyway, for those of you down in the dumps or in physical trouble or taking care of someone who is...


Get your hand off that button!








There. I hope you got at least a giggle out of that. I probably won't be doing it ever again.

18 comments:

none said...

That was a nice sentiment for your sister, but damn I can imagine you scaring the shit out of people with that look.

Sweeti said...

You are the most amazing human being to ever live in Oregon. How's that?

Now spill those secrets...;)

Sweeti said...

I forgot to say that your head shave is admirable in my book, I wish I had a brother that would do something like that for me.

You need some sun on that there noggin though, Don't forget the sunscreen.

I applaude you.

Anonymous said...

Some vitamin-D. That's all your scalp needs.

Lizza said...

The gesture was sweet.

But... your head looked like an alien's!

Cheesy said...

Good brudder... but still goofy...

:o)

Anonymous said...

I'm sure your sister appreciated the show of support. When I had my cancer treatment two years ago my best friend told me she would shave her head if I lost my hair. Thankfully, the chemo I had didn't cause hair loss. If you think you looked bad! I wouldn't want to see Marge bald. However, I found the offer to be a great comfort. Good for you, Scott.

kario said...

Thanks for the laugh! I am one of those people who would also look really scary bald (notwithstanding the fact that I'm female) because I have some pretty lumpy scars on my scalp. Lucky for you, it looks like you've got enough follicles there to keep your hair for a good long time - I suggest you do that!

Jeannie said...

Can I rub it for luck?

It wouldn't be so bad if the colour were even.

And it was totally thoughtful of you.

And it's something I intend to do myself one day - I only need a reason. The reason may be to grow out my grey. Seriously.

And I'm still grinning. Thanks

Tammie Jean said...

What a sweet thing to do for your sister! How is she doing?

Nikky said...

A bunch of the senate officers did that last fall for our VP who was also going through chemo. Before they went all the way bald tho, they all spent one day with mohawks. Idiots with good hearts. But, compared to them, honey, you have a beautiful head!!
You're a great brother, how is your sister now?

Stucco said...

Britney is looking pretty washed up...

Jean said...

I'm sure she appeciated it... and, I'm glad you will never do it again.

Scott from Oregon said...

I was thinking, Stucco, to do a side by side with Britney...

And sis is doing fine. Canver free for the last three years.

Anonymous said...

What a sweet sentiment for your sister!!

Glad I'm not a 7/11 clerk. I'd have just busted a cap on that head!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That is one hellova bald head. But the reasoning for doing so is fantastic. Nothing screams support like being the same.

WildFlower said...

you dont look very pleased in that there photo......

me and the other me said...

ha- i thought of shaving my head in solidarity with my mom when she lost her hair. glad i didn't though. brittney probably looked better than i would and THAT's not saying a helluva lot.
sweet.