My Bald Is Beautiful

By Leya Elijah-Lyle

1 min read

My bald is beautiful collage

I didn't choose to lose my hair. Cancer made that choice for me! Nevertheless, I'm able to still look in the mirror and see beauty. It may not be everyone's definition, but it's mine! This was a process for me. I cried SO many tears, battled depression, and even tried to hide it. But hey, This is me! Now I think me is pretty fabulous!!!

It doesn't define you

To my fellow sisters in the fight, Be encouraged and embrace life. It truly is "just hair." It doesn't define you, make you, or break you. It actually helped my self-esteem and inner strength to lose my hair.

Remember It will grow back. And if it doesn't, Baby there are too many gorgeous wigs in this world to worry about it!!! Sending HUGS to those who are still on the path to embracing that Beauty!!

Whether you choose to embrace your beautiful baldness; wrap it, rock a hat, or wig, just be you! Keep fighting! It’s going to be ok!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
It's amazing how connected we are to our hair, until the unfathomable happens. I love your energy about what it is. My hair did the opposite and grew longer, not sure what that was about : ) 
1. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo" user-id="3647991"/> Wow!! How cool is that? I wish! You know what is crazy is that for years and years all I wore was sew-ins and wigs. So much so that people didn't even think I had hair! However I actually had very long hair, just hated doing it. Yet the moment I lost it my heart just broke!!!!
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
I love that you embrace the bald head! I did the same thing, I embraced my bald head. I live in Florida so the wig thing just made me sooo hot! literally, I took my wig off in a store because I was burning up. There was a man next to me who happen to see me take my wig off....I thought it was so funny when his mouth dropped because I was bald lol. I remember saying to him "yea yea I'm bald, its too hot for this wig as I laughed walking a way lol!" and from then on I didn't put a wig back on. The fact that I did not have to deal with styling my hair and just putting a little oil on my scalp and I was out the door was nice! then when my hair grew back I was like lets stay natural and loc it up! 
1. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> I still love and wear wigs but not like I HAVE to! I have my moments, but overall I am so good with the heaad of mine! I must say I love not having to sit under the dryer for hours anymore!! I am a model and love glamour. I notice my features are even more defined and there is a different beauty without hair in the way. I love it!!
2. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ronni Gordon" user-id="3651931"/> I am getting into scarves too!
Chikenpat Member
I cried 3 days when my hair started to really fall out in clumps. I tried wraps, hats, and wigs nothing stays on my head. It was always so hot at work. My husband, boss, and everyone else told me it was okay, I looked lovely. Its growing back now and looks way worse then it did bald lol. My 4 year old tells me I look like a boy sometimes. But what really got me was asking a hair dresser how to get it to grow back quickly. She told me stop cutting it. Yeah speaking without thinking is well, not okay. I just laughed and told her i havent cut my hair in over 5 years. My hair is at a stage where nothing will make it look good. 
1. Ronni Gordon Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Chikenpat" user-id="4162014"/> Maybe try some interesting dangling earrings . Or some fun colorful little posts. I found some nice ones on Etsy and enjoyed supporting small online businesses that way. It kind of takes the focus off the hair problem. Yeah that falling out in clumps (and then pulling out little chunks) is REALLY upsetting. And how about colorful scarves instead of stupid wigs? 
2. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ronni Gordon" user-id="3651931"/> I agree, the earrings really help. I am an earring person so that hasn't been hard for me. But I will say that I am rarely in public or take pictures without wearing them right now.
rackeln Community Admin
Thank you for sharing <inline-mention username="Leya Elijah" user-id="3654201"/> !
1. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="rackeln" user-id="3651238"/> Its my pleasure to share and encourage!!
Deb Wesloh Moderator & Contributor
What a nice uplifting story. You are gorgeous! Hair is overrated. Thanks for sharing! 
1. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Deb Wesloh " user-id="3642132"/> Thank you so much for those kind words! ((Hugs))
2. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> Yes we are given such new perspectives, continually! Shave on with pride my friend! It's a sign of your health and healing!
sbf1968 Member
I have had long, thick, wavy hair for almost my entire life (pre-cancer). It was what defined me. When I prepared for my transplant, I wasn't going to let cancer take my hair. I went to the salon and had my stylist shave my head. It still was devastating to see all that hair gone (luckily I was able to donate it) but at least I felt like I had some control of it.
1. Doreen Member
 <inline-mention username="sbf1968" user-id="3652453"/>, That's awesome. What a great way to embrace it and take control. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. How are things going lately? My best, Doreen (Team member)
2. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="sbf1968" user-id="3652453"/> Many of my friends made the decision to take control before cancer did. In hindsight, I wish I had. It would have helped me emotionally. I applaud your courage and decision. I never dreamed I would be making so many decisions since my diagnosis! LOL!
sbf1968 Member
It took some time (I am now 2 1/2 years post-transplant) but my hair grew back. I recognize how fortunate I am for this. I used to wear my hair up most of the time because it can get a little frizzy and unruly. Now, however, I have embraced my hair and wear it down all the time!
1. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="sbf1968" user-id="3652453"/> How are you feeling these days?
2. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Leya Elijah" user-id="3654201"/> Actually, I'm feeling great, just taking life literally one day at a time. : )