Alopecia Sucks

Marine91

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Alopecia sucks. But I have a touching story to tell. My daughter was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata when she was 10 years old and she is 15 now. It is a variant of Alopecia that cause random hair loss anywhere on your body. With my daughter it has affected the hair on her head and her eyelashes. For the last several years her hair would fall out and grow back several times a year. She chose to wear a wig or have a weave in when she could for several years but last year she had had enough and chose to go to school without wearing one. We were horrified at first because we know how ruthless teenagers can be but it s what she wanted and we will always support and love her. To our surprise no one messed with her but one person all year and one of her friends took care of that problem quickly with no other issues.

That bring us to today. A couple of days ago my daughter asked Iif we would get her a new wig. I asked her why as a curiosity and broke down in tear with her answer. All she said is she wanted to look and feel like a girl again. Holding back tears I told her she is beautiful no matter what anyone says and while she agreed she said she was tired of being different. I was at a loss for words and told her that we will gladly take her to get a new wig if that is what she really wanted. So today after our Harlea incident my wife and daughter went shopping and found one that she fell in love with but wanted to leave the store due to the cost. My wife told her not to worry about things like that and if she wanted it she wpuld have it. My daughter is very strong willed but she totally broke down when the specialist asked her to sit in the chair so she could fit it for her. So now both my wife and daughter are crying then I start crying when I get the text message and picture of my daughter and the one thing we have not seen too often in a very long time. A big smile on her face. My daughter finally had herself back and she is still my beautiful baby girl and will always be. She couldn't wait to get home and show it to me in person and when she walked in the door she gave a big hug and said thank you daddy for helping me feel like a girl again.

Sorry for the long post but it has been an emotional day for me. I will do anything in my power for the health and happiness of my children both skin and fur as I love them all very much.
 
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Lisabear123

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Don't ever apologize for sharing your feelings and experiences. We are honored to hear them!! I'm sry your daughter has this illness, but I'm so glad she has such compassionate parents who want her to feel good about herself. She is and will always be your beautiful girl like you said! I'm happy to hear she was smiling..such a brave, strong young lady!
 
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Texas Carol

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Beautiful, beautiful...thank you for sharing this personal story with us, Todd.

What a wonderful and blessed family y'all have, makes my heart sing with JOY.

GOD bless y'all and especially your precious daughter.
:heart:
 

2BullyMama

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What a great story to share.... sorry she has to deal with this in her young age, but it is fantastic to see how supportive and loving her parents are!

:hug:
 

ddnene

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Todd I'm so glad that you shared your story w/us. Your family has been thru a lot this week, between your son's career, Harlea & now your baby girl. I'm so sorry... but I know that you guys will pull thru this. Sending prayers & hugs to all of you!!! ; )


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bullmama

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What a beautiful story, I have tears in my eyes.... What wonderful parents you are.


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Marine91

Marine91

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Thank you everyone for the kind words. I have lost people who I thought were close friend because of my mindset that my children, wife and my animals come before anything that I need in life as without them there would be no happiness.
[MENTION=9236]Lisabear123[/MENTION] I was surprised I even wrote this. The Marine that is still in me doesn't have space to allow emotions to come to the surface very often even after all these years as i have to remain strong for those that i love. Heck it took me 6 years to let my emotions show after my mom died and that only happened as I was lying in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I guess I am finally softening up as the years go by.
 

Lisabear123

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Thank you everyone for the kind words. I have lost people who I thought were close friend because of my mindset that my children, wife and my animals come before anything that I need in life as without them there would be no happiness.
@Lisabear123 I was surprised I even wrote this. The Marine that is still in me doesn't have space to allow emotions to come to the surface very often even after all these years as i have to remain strong for those that i love. Heck it took me 6 years to let my emotions show after my mom died and that only happened as I was lying in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I guess I am finally softening up as the years go by.

You big softy, you! ;) my hubby was in the marines and had a difficult time becoming emotional ..and well, human again. The marines trains you o be a certain way..a way that ill save yourself and your troop mates. He has come around w his but it took a while. He was a bit of an arse when I first met him..lol I have never been in the military, but I have had a lot of harsh n hurtful experiences that resulted from being open so I developed a huge wall and armor. It took him just as long as it did me to gain my trust and for me to truly be open emotionally. I guess it takes a lot to get through to me, but when you do, you are 'in' so to speak for life. I don't have many, if any real friends as a result..(im such a loser..ha ha) but seriously, Im ok w that. Like you, my family, including my fur babies are most important to me. I am proud of you for opening and sharing. It takes a lot to do that, not only letting other ppl know what is going on, but for your own reflection of things. Sometimes realizing how you feel about things by saying them out loud is harder than anything.
 
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FORDE'SMOM

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hugsssssssss.....what an emotional story......i am elated that your daughter is smiling.....so many of us take so much for granted.. ...then we hear something like this....never apologize for speaking about things on your heart !!
 

KMARINO

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Aw, what a story, so glad to hear your daughter has her smile back and thank you for sharing such a touching story.
 

ChrisRN

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So where is the picture of that beautiful, strong young lady?! She is so lucky to have such supportive parents! But then I think you will probably say you are the lucky ones! What a wonderful story!
 

Texas Carol

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Thank you everyone for the kind words. I have lost people who I thought were close friend because of my mindset that my children, wife and my animals come before anything that I need in life as without them there would be no happiness.
@Lisabear123 I was surprised I even wrote this. The Marine that is still in me doesn't have space to allow emotions to come to the surface very often even after all these years as i have to remain strong for those that i love. Heck it took me 6 years to let my emotions show after my mom died and that only happened as I was lying in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I guess I am finally softening up as the years go by.

Hoping then you can help me break out of my shell and share what's on my mind.
:smoochwink:

Good for you, Jim.
:angelheart:
 
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Marine91

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Hoping then you can help me break out of my shell and share what's on my mind.
:smoochwink:

Good for you, Jim.
:angelheart:

It's tough and still not easy for me. I have seen things that no one should ever have to see in their lives. There are other things that still give me nightmares that I will never go in to detail about should anyone ask.
 

Texas Carol

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It's tough and still not easy for me. I have seen things that no one should ever have to see in their lives. There are other things that still give me nightmares that I will never go in to detail about should anyone ask.

Jim, my career Army Dad was alcoholic and I'm the oldest of 4, he was very violent.
We grew up in hell, abused in every way until each of us left the house as early as possible.
I actually was dxed w/PTSD as an adult and eventually started having anxiety then panic
attacks, it has stopped now ~also part of symptomology of auto immune diseases, which
themselves may be triggered by extreme, ongoing stress. He was so violent & crazy that
we saw, heard and endured unspeakable abuse that no child should ever know about. We
saw things done to Mother which breaks my heart to this day.

This does not compare to the stresses of being a solder and being in combat but I really
understand how difficult living thru these things can be. I commend you for being the father
and husband you are and the man you are. We are blessed to get your perspectives on
EBN and that you care enough to let your defenses down to share them to help someone.
 
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Marine91

Marine91

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Jim, my career Army Dad was alcoholic and I'm the oldest of 4, he was very violent.
We grew up in hell, abused in every way until each of us left the house as early as possible.
I actually was dxed w/PTSD as an adult and eventually started having anxiety then panic
attacks, it has stopped now ~also part of symptomology of auto immune diseases, which
themselves may be triggered by extreme, ongoing stress. He was so violent & crazy that
we saw, heard and endured unspeakable abuse that no child should ever know about. We
saw things done to Mother which breaks my heart to this day.

This does not compare to the stresses of being a solder and being in combat but I really
understand how difficult living thru these things can be. I commend you for being the father
and husband you are and the man you are. We are blessed to get your perspectives on
EBN and that you care enough to let your defenses down to share them to help someone.
Carol.... You are a very strong woman and I commend you for sharing such a difficult part of you past. I am sure it wasn't easy for you to do and i cannot even fathom being in that situation. I think another reason I shared my story is that I feel at home here and that many of you are like extended family that I have never met face to face and that is ok. Also, as a side note... I am not Jim.... I am Todd.... :) it's all good as I am horrible with names as well.
 

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