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After being told that I would need chemotherapy, I called the American Cancer Society and asked for resources for “wigs� at salons in New York. This is the second time I had to get chemotherapy; I wanted to look as “normal� as possible. My thought was that if I looked well on the outside, I could handle anything going on in the inside.
I was given the names of three salon locations. As we walked into the first salon, the woman greeted me and immediately had me sit in her chair. She did not ask me anything about my own personal expectations or preferences. She had me put on what looked like a bathing cap and plopped a wig on me. The wig had long, bone straight, auburn hair. It could not have been farther from what I currently have. I started to have a hot flash, and literally began to sob in her chair. I thought, “Who was I kidding, this is never going to work, and I am sick and now ugly and have no control over anything anymore.� I ripped the wig off and put on my coat and walked out of her salon almost forgetting my mother was with me! I told my mother I didn’t want to talk about any of it, and was completely immobilized by my experience for almost 3 days.
My anxiety was now back. Maybe a shaved head and a scarf for the next 10 months were better than all this hassle. I have enough on my plate to worry about with treatments, doctors appointments, tests, my family, being on disability, that I don’t think I have the energy to take on this enormous process. I was feeling very overwhelmed, really depressed and defeated by it all.
When I went to Joseph Paris’ cheerful salon, Joseph Paris Sr. and his son, Joseph Jr. met with my mother and me. He asked me how I was feeling, what treatments I was currently having and when was I going to start chemotherapy. He assured me that he would help.
He was very active in the American Cancer Society. He was a Look Good and Feel Better program presenter. He knew exactly what my concerns were. He showed me pictures of other clients who had chemotherapy and their before and after pictures. He showed me around his salon and showed us how the Hair Systems were made. He introduced me to his staff, the hair designers, and showed me hair samples.
Joseph told me the differences from other wigs and hair makers compared to his. He even said that my own hair could be incorporated into my new Hair System. He showed me how I could make my new hair curlier or softer depending on my needs. He showed me how easy it was to care for it and how comfortable it would fit on my head. He also said it could be adjusted as my own hair grew in.
He showed me how the cap portion was virtually transparent and would blend in with my own skin tone. Joseph said that it would only take two weeks for the whole process of making the hair design. Joseph would also be available to shape my hair differently or adjust the wave if I preferred he do that.
Joseph Paris and his salon staff gave me the ability to still be “me� during my own personal ordeal. Thank God! I found someone to help me through this process! Again, I felt that if I can look the same on the outside for myself and the people around me… I can take care of the inside. How fortunate I was to persevere through my dark and depressed moments to find a perfect solution to my hair loss. I thought of others, who may not be so lucky.