When I landed in the hospital in septic shock on day 10 of having my first chemo infusion, I still had my hair. In the ICU, a nurse combed my hair over my pillow behind me for a while. It was soothing. She then braided my hair and secured it with a hair elastic from another nurse. I was given a sponge bath, then rolled onto my side for a few seconds, and gingerly rolled back onto something warm. It was comfortable. I was not in any condition to ask questions about what it was. I did not know until a week later that it was a huge patch adhered to the lower portion of my back to avoid bedsores. It worked!

Back to my hair. By day 6, now in the Cardiology ward, my braid was no longer. I could feel my hair matted behind my head. I was probably starting to look like a crazy lady. My daughter brought a brush and detangling spray, but I could not deal with my hair as I was weak. And she could not help. She kept her distance as she was getting a scratchy throat and I was in isolation due to my condition.

On day 7 I asked a nurse for a comb. It was lighter than the brush. I started gingerly combing and detangling my hair. I was shocked at the amount of hair staying in the comb. A pile of hair was growing on my tray table. It looked like I had a bird’s nest in front of me! I got tired and stopped. Tomorrow I will continue, I thought. The next day came, and I could not deal. There were strands of hair on me, the bed hanging off the IV tapes and more. Over three days I asked the nurses If someone could shave my head. They could not find the electric hair clippers, so the answer was no, but they will keep looking for the clippers.

On day 10 my nurse for the day came into my room and said “I heard you want your head shaved. Are you serious? Are you sure? I said “Absolutely. I am grossed out by hair falling out”. She said, “OK” these are the only tools I have, tape, scissors, shaving cream, warm wipes, and two razors”. I said, “go for it”! She brought in a stack of towels to drape over the bed and me. It truly was a surreal experience. (My niece came in when the project was underway). While cutting off my matted hair, the nurse said, “you are a strong lady to do this”. I told her I had shed a lot of tears over the last month (and more) and had come to terms with losing my hair. She was very gentle yet thorough in giving me a shiny bald-headed new look. As she worked away, she cut off a bit of my hair, cut off a strip from a disposable gown, and presented me with a lock of hair to keep. What a sweetheart! She later put it in a baggie and labeled it with “Lock of Love Riverside Hospital”.

This nurse, Yicelia, took the step to bring my wish to fruition as I had asked nurses over three days if they would shave my head. Yicelia was very caring and compassionate. She was encouraging with her words and hugs to get me through this big step in my journey. And to present me with a “lock of love” was precious! I nominate Yicelia for the DAISY Award. She took the extra step for me, the patient. I appreciate her compassion, drive, and big smile. You are fortunate to have her on your team.