The following is from Chapter 3 of “Mirror Makeovers and Savvy Insights for The Everyday Gal Surviving Cancer and Baldness with a Sense of Humor.”
Mirror Makeovers: How To Begin?
“Embrace life. Have confidence in yourself. Take action.”
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For starters, realize that cancer was not your choice, but the way you handle it is. If you have reached the moment where you have lost your hair, you know this is very hard. Still, I don’t think it’s the hair so much as it is that without hair, you cannot hide from your disease. The hard part is having a good day, feeling okay, and thinking things are looking up, only to look in the mirror and see a person you no longer recognize.
This is where my wisdom comes in, and who knew I would be so wise? In the following pages are hair “makeover” ideas you can draw on your bathroom mirror every day or use to inspire your own ideas. Just pick out the day, the mood really, grab a marker, and draw what you’re compelled to on your mirror. There are plenty of days, good and bad moods, and fun items to cheer you up. Use one of my ideas in this book or your own imagination to describe your mood.
Mirror Makeovers
Everyday Gals
Just please promise me this: after you draw your mirror makeover, live the day ahead of you to the fullest, even if you have to go out and do something you really don’t want to do.
You are a strong, beautiful person
and you don’t need hair.
You are the exact same person as before all this happened. You need to own this experience and let the world and yourself know that nothing is going to get you down.
I know it is hard some days, but live those days too. You deserve to sulk a little, but remember, don’t live in this mood. You will get through it, so flip through the next pages and pick who you are going to be today. Then draw her, look long and hard at her, and feel her, be her, live her.
Keep in mind, doing so can help your loved ones as well. Cancer brings out many emotions, and we can be so busy dealing with ourselves that we forget how our loved ones are affected. Just draw your mood on your mirror and instruct your family to take a look. They can make it a habit to check your mirror out every day. If they see Sandra Dee, maybe it’s a good day to go for a milk shake or to buy something pretty for you. If they see Biker Gal or Medusa, they’ll know to mind their own business and wait until you come to them.
Your mirror drawings can help everyone by being a mirror meter, rating your moods as you experience them. So, let’s get started. Grab your markers and head for the bathroom, and don’t worry about talent. As long as you can see it, own it and the day! If you have a quote you like that reminds you to fight, add it as well. It will all wash off. So, let everyone know, not only do you own this day and this image, you own this mirror too!
If you think of new styles you’ve always wanted to try, draw them on the mirror. No one’s watching, so go ahead, grab a marker, and make your mark! You’ll have hair soon, so give it a go with your mirror makeover!
In short, just go crazy. Buy more markers, add to your colors, even buy paint if you want and really become an artist. Use your imagination. Heck, get some ribbons, sparkles, and jewels! You are the queen, so make your mark. Remember, you own this, so get rid of those inhibitions and don’t worry about the mirror or who will see it. Worry about yourself and what it means to you.
This is your spirit, your soul, and your freedom, so
