Head Shaving Party

From the moment I told my family about my diagnosis my sister Deni has been ready to throw me a shaving party.  With my kids concerned about me losing my hair I wanted to hold off as long as I could, hence the multiple hair cuts to gradually shorten my hair.  But this past week has made it obvious that the time had come to get rid of it.  With Chemosabe set for Friday we decided to do it the Thursday before.

Deni hadn't told me much about what she had planned except that one of our friends that is a stylist was going to come to do all the shaving.  In my mind it was just going to be a hang out in the back yard, food, drinks, and shaving heads.  I was wrong.  She went all out and had decorated the entire yard.

My nephew, Owen who is 6, decorated this chalkboard for me.  Then my sister did this chalkboard in their back house.

As we waited for everyone to show up after work Deni had a mini pool, water slide, and water balloons with a launcher for the kids to all play in.  They had so much fun!

Deni and I had to do a test run on her backdrop so we selfied it to check it was okay.

James and Lu's family was decked out in the cutest breast cancer shirts for me!  As soon as they walked in I told them I had to get a picture of the boys.

Once everyone showed up and had eaten dinner we headed into the back house to get started on hair cuts.  To make it easier we went youngest to oldest for cuts so Grayson got us started.

Then Owen. He had just got a hair cut on Monday but didn't want to miss out on all the fun so he got a touch up.

Zander didn't go bald but to support me he got his very first hair cut.  Lu even held it together and didn't cry!

Brody couldn't decide if he wanted to cut his hair.  He has a mad love for his chlorine infused, swimmer, water polo player hair.  At first he said he would only cut it if he could sit where no one was able to watch him.

He was pretty upset after he did it because it was so short and felt weird.  I hugged him so tight after as I cried and thanked him for being so brave and doing it for me.  As the night progressed, and into the next day, he has started to embrace it.  The realization set in that he no longer needs to wear a cap during practice!

In typical James fashion he went to the extreme and not only buzzed his head, he took a razor to it!  We were all a little concerned with the amount of enjoyment Anthony was getting rubbing shaving cream on his head...

Ryan was not going to cut his hair so when he got up to do it I was so happy.  In fact I think the highlight of the night was having Brody, Ryan, Scott and my dad cut their hair because all of them did not really want to do it.  For the most part they wanted to eliminate the questions they would get at work.  It is nice to have a cancer free zone in one area of your life.  But in the end they all did it and it meant so much to me.

Scotty has a work trip Monday so he went shorter but kept his little front flip.

After Scott was Tony and he cut his to match his son, Grayson.

Last but not least was my dad.  He didn't want to buzz it because he was afraid he would look like his dad.  I had the same fear about cutting my own hair, so I get it!  But he looked fine and nothing like his dad.

My brother Dave had to go out of town so he came over before he left and had my kids all shave his head.  The kids had so much fun doing it!  I had to get some during shots of his hair cut...

Up next was me.  I was ready but I still cried a little bit.  It is hard accepting all the changes in my life.  To top it off my head hurts from the medicine.  In another post I explained it as pins and needles.  That sensation has gone away and been replaced with a constant bruised feeling on top of my head.  It is okay for the majority of the day but boy, oh boy, when you lay down or touch my scalp it just aches.  Clippers pushing against my scalp was not the most comfortable experience, however, once the hair was all cut off the pain started to subside.  I think removing all the dead hair that was tugging on my hair follicles causing pressure on my scalp relieved the pain.

You can see in the last picture where my hair is already gone in the front.  Since I got another infusion yesterday I am sure the little bit left on top of my head won't be sticking along for that much longer.  Thankfully the shape of my scalp isn't all misshapen that would've been weird.

Lynelle was fantastic.  She is over 6 months pregnant and stood there cutting hair for close to 3 hours with no break.  I'm was over emotional and trying hard not to start sobbing, so ignore my double chin in that picture!

Miranda and I have been friends since 6th grade and even though it took her almost 3 hours to get to Deni's she has been at my side every step of the way.  I am so grateful for her friendship and that we have never let distance or life ruin it.  Misty and I haven't been friends as long as Miranda and I but our friendship is just as strong.  I am blessed to have these two ladies in my life and was so honored that they were with me that night.

Misty's family was all able to come and I love them so much.  Her girls all went and go their hair cut for me today because we ran out of time at the party to get to everyone else that wanted to cut their hair.  

Dave and Margaret have been close family friends and business partners for years with my family.  But this was the first time that we got them to come to one of the Lowry Family Events.  I am hopeful that they will attend more because they we have so much fun with them!  Margaret and I had matching cuts before I shaved it and Dave had his buzzed at his last hair cut so we could be twins.

I can't imagine having to do go through this with one of my children and if I did I am positive I would never be as strong as my parents have been.  There was never a doubt that I have phenomenal parents but I think I love them even more than I thought imaginable.

James and Lu are just crazy!  They always bring a smile to my face because their boys are always smiling, always eating, and always naked!

Ryan had to leave for work before I got a picture with him but I plan to rectify that when I see him next.   Lex has been so great taking the kids for me so that they can go play and have fun.  My kids love getting to go play with her new puppy and drink her mocktail creations each week.

**UPDATE! I got a picture of Ry and I with our sweet haircuts!**

This was my crew that cut their hair, minus Ryan.  I think we all look pretty darn good!

My guys always have my back, even when it takes them out of their comfort zone. 

It is pretty heartwarming to see all my nieces and nephews get into the spirit of things.  Grayson is always asking me if I am okay because I am sick.  It makes me heart hurt to know that they understand something is going on, but then days like this happen, where it is full of fun.  I love these pictures.  The kids all grabbing props and laughing.  One of my most vivid memories.

Of course my sisters and I had to join the fun too!  

I saved these pictures for last.  Deni and Tone have been unbelievable though this entire thing.  If anyone is on a mission to to make having cancer fun it is them.  Deni goes out of her way to keep things light for my kids, as well as the rest of my siblings, and parents.  I know that cancer is harder on the people supporting the person that has cancer than it actually is on the person with it.  Deni is the person that tries to make things easier and I know it is at great emotional cost to do it.

I love my family so much.  How on earth I could make it though this without them is something I will forever be happy to never experience.  Each of my siblings has such unique qualities that make this easier for me.  Alexa with her silly nature and fun creative drinks, songs, and dances that make my kids laugh.  James with his out of control family, loud stories, obsession with video games, singing, and both Lu and him with nerf wars.  John and his family with the long facetime calls that discuss all things BTS and StarWars.  Dave teasing and teaching my kids about dinosaurs.  My parents for having a home that is like Dinseyland to my kids.  And Scott for being everything I need before I even know I need it.

Thank you for the party, all the people that cut their hair with me and the continued support of my family as I continue to battle my way back to healthy.

***UPDATE***

As I got ready to post this I got a bunch of texts from people that had kids that wanted to support my kids and me as well.  Misty and Steven's girls all CHOPPED the heck out of their hair.  I think Kitty and Boo took off close to 6-12 inches.  Then Illy went big and did an A-line cut which was for sure more than 12 inches.

Brody's bud, Nate, came straight home from the swim meet today after making a deal with his parents if he got first he could cut his hair.  Well that was all the motivation this kid needed because he is a racer!  

There are numerous others that have cut hair, dyed hair, and donated hair for me.  I appreciate everyone that has done this.  My heart is so full and I humbled by the amount of love I receive each day from so many people.