You have more than you think

When you read this blog post title I imagine that many of you thought this entry might be about inner strength, community support, or spiritual wellness.  Although the title applies to those important arenas as well, I am referring to hair.  My hair. 

I have always thought of myself as having fine hair.  And compared to women with curly, voluminous hairdos that I envy, I didn't think I had that much of it.  So, when that first clump of hair fell out about a week ago, I felt a moment of panic and then, as medical training prepares you to do, I immediately turned my brief panic into practical stoicism. "Ok, here we go, I am going to be bald by sundown.  I must locate my bandana." 


Exhibit A. Penny for scale.
A few hours worth of hair loss.

Then the next day came.  I woke up with hair in my mouth.  My scalp ached (this is normal and now I understand what my patients mean when they say their hair hurts).  More hair fell out onto the floor and into the bathroom sink as I brushed my teeth. But when I looked in the bathroom mirror, I still had a good head of hair.  The day went on and hair fell into my clothes as I dressed and into my eyes while driving.  I thought, "surely, by nightfall today I will be bald."  But nope. 

This shedding has been going on for nearly a week.  I have out competed Luna and Olive.  Yet still I hair remains.  Sure, I am developing a bit of a friar look because the crown of my head went first, but THERE IS STILL HAIR ATTACHED TO MY HEAD.  Once again the human body amazes me.

Hair, I have more than I thought.