Gail’s Journey

I wanted to talk to you all about a subject that means a lot to many people. It is a personal subject that draws people together, and the heartbreaking fact is that the majority of us are affected by it in some way, shape, or form.

Whether it is someone we know and love or us ourselves, there is no escaping the big C, and today I want to introduce you to a long-standing client who also became a friend of mine, called Gail, and her own journey through cancer.

Back in May 2021, when I was on maternity leave, I received the news from Gail that she had been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

After a Lumpectomy in July 2021, followed by a re-excision a few weeks later, Gail began chemotherapy in August, just a few months after diagnosis.

In just a few short months, Gail’s world was turned upside down, but as with anybody who receives a diagnosis like this, the fight is strong, and Gail was no different.

Being Gail’s hairdresser, I knew how much pride she takes in her hair. Although in the grand scheme of things, hair is not a priority when someone falls ill with cancer, it is a huge part of their identity, so for that to be eroded during such a low time only adds weight to the sadness of what Gail was going through.

However – it doesn’t have to be a time of total loss.

I felt absolutely helpless, as most friends or family do when a person they love becomes ill this way, and we both knew that Gail losing her hair would be another unwanted step in an already emotional journey.

There to support her, I accompanied Gail to an appointment with a wig maker she had booked.

Gail, in her own words, will tell you about her experience at the wig makers:

‘Going to see the wig maker was actually quite scary because it made the prospect of losing my hair more real. It was made much more bearable by having my wonderful friend and hairdresser come along with me.

Having Lianne there by my side helped me to relax and feel more comfortable.

Lianne was also able to support me by giving me information about what hair colours she uses on me and offering professional advice as a hairdresser.

In the end, though, as I was cold capping throughout chemotherapy to reduce hair loss and protect hair follicles, I decided not to have a wig made.

Lianne supported me so well throughout my hair loss. So much so that even though my poor hair went through quite a transition throughout chemotherapy and I still lost a large percentage of my hair, Lianne was able to work wonders with what I had left and encouraged me all the way to stick with it.

Now, ten months after finishing chemo, I have an incredible head of hair growing back. Lianne has helped me keep it tame and coloured as I go, and her support has been amazing.’

Gail’s last chemo treatment was on Wednesday, 16^th February 2021, and she had a week of intensive radiotherapy at the beginning of March 2022 (she will be the first to tell you that it was a wedding anniversary Gail and her husband, Darren, won’t forget in a hurry!)

Flash forward to now, and Gail is almost a year out of treatment and has recently started an NHS Clinical Trial where they will monitor her for any remaining cancer tumour DNA in her blood. This means Gail can either be treated with Immunotherapy or they can treat her as soon as it becomes a recurrence or metastasis – which we all hope never happens.

I wanted to share Gail’s journey with you, with her permission, to highlight the importance of regular checking. Not only that, but as someone who has known Gail for several years, I wanted you to know that, like Gail, you do not have to lose your identity because of a diagnosis.

It is still very much possible to look in the mirror and see yourself as the beautiful person you are.

No matter whether or not you choose a wig or opt to keep what you have, understanding friends and family will always continue to help you shine through the uncertainty that life unfairly throws your way.

Gail – you are an incredible inspiration to me, and I want to thank you for trusting me to be your hairdresser and friend.

Stay well! XX