I shaved my head before chemo- let's make every strand count

Last month, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. A type of blood cancer that initially affects the body's lymphatic system and not something I expected to face whilst on maternity leave. I was told by my consultant that, given the choice, "this is the cancer you'd want" as the chances of recovery are high thanks to the huge, savage wallop of chemo they serve it right between the eyes: BAM!

All the nurses and consultants have told me in no uncertain terms that I will lose all my hair from around day 9 of treatment. Cold caps aren't an option for Hodgkins as they prevent the treatment from reaching the lymph nodes in the head.

I think for most people, being faced with the prospect of losing their hair is incredibly daunting and I'm certainly no different. For me, as a mixed-raced woman, and as a mother, it feels particularly huge.

My hair is a big part of my identity; a connection to my heritage; a connection to my sons (who are proud members of the curly club) it's my armour; my shield; it has made me who I am today.

Anyway, being the often belligerent, at times pedantic, and ALWAYS incredibly stubborn Capricorn that I am, I've decided I don't want to lose my hair. So I'm not going to... Because I'm going to shave it off before it has the chance to fall out, and donate it to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for young people, going through similar situations to me.

Over the years, I've often had people say to me that they would kill for hair like mine...at the time I didn't THINK they *literally* meant kill me, and especially not with cancer! But hey, maybe people are more ruthless than we could possibly imagine?!

Jokes aside, I'm more than happy to donate it, especially if it helps to make a kid feel a little more at home in their own body...I also love the idea of a tiny person walking around with an enormous head of hair.

So anyway, if you'd like to support my attempts to attribute some positive meaning to what is frankly, the bleakest period of my life, please donate.

Because let’s be honest: I may be losing my hair, but I’m NOT losing this fight.

And while I have you, never ignore a lump. Not even tiny ones in weird places.

Thank you so much.