Ginger, interrupted: After Cancer-lucky enough to keep hair-but had to stop dyeing it red

[kpete]

Monday, Jan 3, 2011 11:01 ET
Ginger, interrupted
After cancer, I was lucky to keep my hair. But when I had to stop dyeing it red, I lost a part of myself anyway


My first thought was, oh, thank God. I'm actually going to get to live a little longer. My second was, what do you mean I can't color my hair?

Just a week after my sudden, shocking diagnosis of malignant melanoma last summer, I was on an operating table having a five centimeter circle of skin removed from the top of my head. What followed was weeks of often spectacular pain, a truly disgusting skin graft infection, antibiotics, topical creams, gauze bandages, Percocets, and the most delicate of tending and hair washing. That circle of emptiness on my head made sleep elusive and fitful, messed up more than one pillowcase, and put a hell of a lot of limits on what I could do in yoga class and during sex. But the worst part was that it was a constant reminder that I had cancer -- a nasty, deadly cancer.

So when my doctor told me my melanoma had been successfully removed and that my cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes, I was elated. When, a few weeks later, she cooed over my much-healed head like it was a rosebud perfect newborn, I sighed in deep relief that I wouldn't have to endure another skin graft. Then I pushed my luck -- and broached the pressing matter of my hair. It was the height of autumn already. The sparse trees outside the hospital were aflame with vibrant color. I, sadly, was not. My roots were getting ridiculous.

...................

I have, for my entire adult life, based my personality on my crowning glory, endeavoring to live as adventurously and fearlessly as would befit a redhead. I knew almost from the moment of my diagnosis that a redhead is not going to let a little malignancy get in the way of her good times. But I didn't know what would happen to the woman underneath when that red hair was under siege.

.......................

more:
http://www.salon.com/life/life_stories/index.html?story=/mwt/feature/2011/01/03/mary_beth_williams_no_more_redhead


p.s. it has been pointed out to me that this was not written by Ginger as I originally thought, sorry, I am a bit slow today, kpete

[hlthe2b]

1. I think reverting to a red wig would be ample trade off...

for her remission from melanoma. I wish her the best. Stay well, "Ginger."

[hedgehog]

3. Just to stop any rumors, the author of the article isn't Gilligan's Ginger.

[hlthe2b]

4. Yes, I just now realized that.... NOT Tina Louise...

though I wish the author well, obviously as I would "Gilligan's Ginger"...

[hedgehog]

5. Yeah - I made the same mistake myself!

:hi:

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. Of course not. If it were, the Professor would have made up a safe dye out of coconuts and seaweed.

[LeftinOH]

2. Well-written.. but it wasn't written by Tina Louise (for those so inclined). n/t

[blondeatlast]

6. I spent most of my life as a brunette and didn't feel "myself" that way.

At 40, I went platinum blonde and never felt better about myself. People think it's simply cosmetic, but it's part of who I am. It simply suits me better.

I would hate to be forced not to do it.

My sister, who was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach lining in October, never fussed about her hair at all--she is every bit the hippie. But now, it matters so much to her.

It's more of who we are than we think it is. I know what Ms. Williams is experiencing.