Hair Stories

Unless you’ve lost your hair as a result of cancer treatment, you have no idea what it’s like. Welcome to Hair Stories, a collection of personal experiences from people who’ve been through it. We thank them for their bravery, candor and willingness to share their first-person stories to help others on the cancer journey. If you have a Hair Story you’d like to share with the Wings of Hope family, email us at teresa@wingsofhope.org.

Vergarie Sanford, a former client of Wings of Hope and member of our current board of directors, shares her hair story below.

The Day My Hair Fell Out

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in November of 2011. Hearing the diagnosis was a surreal experience. I was in a daze hearing the words ‘it is breast cancer’. I had a lumpectomy and a port implanted for chemotherapy. My doctor tried to prepare me that my hair would fall out after my second round of chemo. I heard what my doctor said with my head but not my heart.

My hair and I have had a long relationship. I was born with very little hair. However, as I grew older, my hair grew longer. I had beautiful hair and spent every morning paying the utmost attention to every strand being in the proper place.

That Wednesday morning in February 2012, I was preparing for blood work as I had done every Wednesday morning since I started chemotherapy. A few strands had fallen out previously, but not much. Therefore, as I styled my hair into a ponytail this Wednesday morning, I was unprepared for what was about to happen. As I tied the ponytail holder around my hair, the entire ponytail fell out in my hand. Most of my hair was in that ponytail. Now, most of my hair was in my hand.

I looked down at my hand, holding my hair. Rationally, I knew it was just hair that would grow back, but emotionally, I wanted to cry. I was in total shock. However, tears did not come. I just stared at the hair in my hand. After what seemed like hours (but was maybe 10 minutes), my older sister arrived to take me to the hospital for blood work. My sister called my name, and I looked up at her with a blank stare. I held up my hand full of my hair to show her what had just happened. I didn't know what I expected my sister to say or do at that moment. My sister had been my advocate throughout my cancer journey, and showing her my hair made it all real for me.

As I sat in the car, still in a bit of a daze, I felt God's love surround me. The scripture Luke 12: 7 came to mind, "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

The day my hair fell out has become a testimony I share at every opportunity. My hair and I had been together since birth. The initial shock of the loss was traumatizing. However, because God is my healer, of course, all my hair grew back.

I happily celebrated nine years cancer-free on December 12, 2020. Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."