G.I. Laurie (Mar. 1, 2006)

Last Saturday Laurie noticed more hair than usual in her brush. We both knew what lurked around the corner. Dr. O'Shaughnessy had told us Laurie would lose her hair 17 to 18 days after the first round of chemo. The wig she had successfully hunted was mounted in the bathroom, waiting for its appointed task. We waited as well.

You'd be amazed how difficult it is to decide how you are going to handle the loss of your hair. Do you anticipate it and just shave your head before your hair starts coming out? Do you wait until you can't bear to look at yourself in the mirror? When is the best time? Well for Laurie, it was complicated by the fact that her kindergarten class pictures at Scofield were scheduled for today, March 1. She desperately wanted to have those pictures taken with her real hair. So our decision was to wait.

Each morning this week has been a test of wills. Laurie was not going to let her hair go until picture day. She babied it and tenderly handled it each day, and though it thinned a little more each time, she made it! Only a few of us could really notice the change.

But . . . pictures were done this morning. The reckoning had come and the deed could no longer be delayed. This afternoon, with two of her friends, Anne and Joan, in tow, Laurie headed up to see Lynn, her hair dresser for the last several years. Jim, as the dutiful husband, asked Laurie if she wanted him to go as well. Her answer took only a split second, "No!" She actually repented a little later, not having meant to be so abrupt, but Jim understood. No woman likes to have her hair cut off, especially in front of her husband.

Anyway, just before lunch, Laurie got her first-ever G.I. buzz cut. Jim has it on good authority that more than a few tears were shed by all involved. Even Lynn had a tough time.

Once that was done, and the wig dutifully in place, the girls went out for lunch. Undoubtedly no one noticed the change except Laurie and her friends. In fact, Jim hasn't even seen it yet. And if he doesn't quit writing this and get himself home quick, he's going to be in big trouble. So . . .

Later all! We love you!