Chemo Round 4. Cold capping.
Way back in March when I started chemotherapy, I told my capper, Crystal, I had a big goal. I wanted to have enough hair left to style as I attended the 2026 GO Woman Legacy Gala in Canton, Ohio, in June. By God’s grace, that dream was a reality. Though my hair has thinned substantially, though I have a bit of what I call “male pattern baldness” starting on the crown, on Saturday night none of that mattered - and I doubt anyone but me even noticed.
I have no regrets about choosing to cold cap. In fact, if all my hair were to fall out tomorrow, I would consider this a success. It’s been three months since I started chemotherapy. Most women who receive this type of chemo lose their hair after the first round.
I didn’t choose cold capping for vanity. Those of you who know me well know I would be just fine with losing my hair. In fact, it would have been much easier than following all of the rules I have had to follow these last three months. No, I chose cold capping so that I could continue on with life as normal. Though I am obviously very open about my diagnosis and disease, I do not want to lead with it. I don’t want it to be what defines me. I want people to know me, then know that this illness is a part of my story - not the whole story.
Being back in Ohio after nearly 30 years was good for my soul as I got to spend time with old friends, while making a few new ones as well.
In particular, I had the opportunity to spend three hours talking to one old friend on Saturday morning. It was the first extended conversation we had had in over 30 years, but time did not matter at all as we dove right into deep conversation as if meeting up for Saturday breakfast was a routine occurrence. I am so grateful for the time we had together.
The verse that came to mind over and over this weekend was Romans 11:33:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
