I had to laugh. Preparing for our first homeowner’s association meeting consisting of homeowners within our 14-unit home complex, our meeting was to take place via ZOOM due to COVID. Before the meeting I said to Bob, “I’m going to get dressed up.” With all this staying safe business including at home isolation, I could hear myself whispering, “Pretty is as pretty does.” 

So I apply my makeup and put on my blonde wig covering several bald spots that even a comb-over does not comb over. This hair fall out is one of my side effects from my anti-estrogen medication Arimadex–also known as Anastrozole.  This medication is referred to as “endocrine therapy”. Hah! I’ve called is several other names. But what needs to be done to help provide me with a new quality of life, so be it.

Only one neighbor had previously seen me with my wig and make-up. When Bob and I moved here, I decided to keep my skin regimen but wear no makeup; just a hat with my glasses. After all, it was highly unlikely that I would be recognized by anyone let along bump into all sort of people I know from Ventura County or Ribbons of Life. I must say, dropping my professional look and having a newer “au natural” appearance while walking with Bob and Rocky, or going to the store, finds me much more relaxed. That is–except when I sit in on Zoom Meetings. I look at it as my way of getting dressed up to go out. 

During the homeowners ZOOM meeting, my neighbors saw me in my Ribbons of Life California look for the first time. I really thought nothing about it until Bob and I received a phone call from a neighbor. 

He started by saying, “You looked fantastic at our meeting!”

Bob said. “Why thank you.” 

Our neighbor responded, “Not you. Lisa!” 

“That’s what makeup and a wig will do.” I said. 

He said, “Well with all you’ve been through, you could have fooled me. You looked fantastic!” 

There are times, we thrivers can really fool people about our looks. We sometimes hide what’s really going on inside our mind or the new body we keep hidden underneath our blouse all the while trying to be in good spirits. 

I can’t count the number of times women have approached me when I’m wearing my wig. They ask, “Who does your hair?” 

When I say with a smile that “It’s a wig”, I get a second sometimes triple gaze at my wig. 

“Really?” they exclaim in wonderment. 

“It looks so natural.” 

I thank them for the compliment and then continue whatever it was I was doing. 

Now running into a man with my blonde wig is an entirely different experience. They don’t ask me who does my hair. Instead they approach me at stores asking if they can help me. They hold doors open for me. Some approach me with comments that sound like pick-up lines. They are also like my neighbor complimenting me on my appearance.   

I do believe that blonde have more fun–especially with the amount of looks I get in my blonde wig. 

I do amuse myself knowing that if I took off my wig off to show my real hair, they’d be shocked. My thinning gray bald-spotted head with little hairs pointing every which way looks as if my hair has been electrocuted. I must say, I am definitely a science project as I’m sure are many of you. Too bad Boston’s Museum of Science is closed due to COVID. 😉

I do try to reframe my thoughts about being a science project, by saying to myself that “I am a unique work of art!” Too bad, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is also closed. That’s where I really belong. : > )