Hair loss

My father was not bald, although he died at 52, so who knows what his future might have revealed. My step-dad is 87, and while his hair has thinned, he isn’t bald either. My mother was 80 when she died, and though her hair was cut very short and white, her scalp still sprouted thick hair.

It was my paternal grandmother, Grandma Huff, who had very thin hair as had her mother, Great Grandma Debo. I seem to have inherited that gene, and my medications could effect that, too. I take lots of medicine, most recently pain medicine in ever-increasing doses. That holds the nerve pain in my jaw at bay.

What causes hair loss in women? Genetics or medicine? Are other women bothered by this, women who have battled disease with all the drugs available?

I am determined to remain visible, in warm weather, and always try to look my best. I wrote an article long ago, saying I would wear a scarf or turban if hair loss occurred. Marta, the woman who first prepared the Chamber’s calendar, wore a small, close fitting hat or wig to cover hair loss.

I like hats; I need to look at some red hats I have collected over the years. My old one faded, bleached by the sun. None tie under my chin, keeping them in place in our prevailing west wind. I’ll check online. Meanwhile I wear my hair very short and Brice combs it in a way to hide my scalp in the thin or bald places. Eventually I’ll use the scarf at home and the hat outside. I guess I should reveal my problem, but those who don’t even live here will know the truth.

What do other people do? They may be more honest than I, or not as vain, and quit trying to hide their problem.

I remember one time, in 1993, when steroids resulted in hair loss. I reported my problem to the PA and Murray Emerson, the pharmacist, as they visited in the hall of Dahl Memorial. Then I looked up and saw they both were bald! I didn’t lose that much hair.

Brice has been bald for most of the 30 years we have lived in Ekalaka. I don’t think there should be more than one bald person in any family, and we already have ours! I may eventually show that rule is not cast in stone.