Alopecia Sucks

[Texas Carol]

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.

I knew that, Jim...errrrr, Tom...uhhhh, TODD!

Apologies, I was dealing with cable TV problems by phone as I was typing to you.

​I used to be great at multi tasking>SIGH< another loss of ME due to ageing.

 

[Marine91]

I knew that, Jim...errrrr, Tom...uhhhh, TODD!

Apologies, I was dealing with cable TV problems by phone as I was typing to you.

​I used to be great at multi tasking>SIGH< another loss of ME due to ageing.

No worries. I mess names up all the time and I am a horrible typist on my phone as well.

 

[ddnene]

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.

My hubby has PTSD, and he still has sleeping issues. It has impacted our entire family & still does to this day... Of course it doesn't help that he's over there right now. I'm sure you understand, it's all he knows!

I just want you to know that you are not alone w/this...
and I applaud your decision to share this part of you. It's a step in the right direction... ((HUGS))

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[ddnene]

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 your story is heartbreaking... My father was a major alcoholic too, so I somewhat understand your upbringing. I'm so sorry for your struggles... You have managed to pull thru & go on. You are an amazing woman & we are very blessed to have you here on EBN!!! God Bless...


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[ChrisRN]

Todd, I appreciate what you have gone through in service to the US. I can't imagine what you have seen and wish you peace.

 

[Ashleym]

What an amazing daughter you raised. Thank you for sharing your story it really reminds you what is important in life

 

[Baxter Tiberius]

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.

Hey Marine -

Really touching story. Seriously. Not sure if its worth anything, but I started a couple Alopecia related support sites about 13 years ago and still run them. So I understand what your daughter is going through, though I personally only have a little male pattern thinning. I interact with women all day through my websites who deal with the whole wig / salon / emotional situations tied to Alopecia. The website I run is HerAlopecia.com ... and the larger one for men, women and children is HairLossTalk.com I can't say that I have any hookups but I do know several people who have been involved in the Alopecia scene for a long time, and are involved in the larger organizations like the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, etc. If there's anything I can do please don't hesitate to ask. I have a weird job, but I do enjoy providing resources to help people through it.

Kevin