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Hattie's Cancer Journey

My daughter Hattie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma in July 2013 when she was 16 months old. After about a year and a half of chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries, she was declared cancer free in December 2014. I'm posting a photo and short reflection every day in 2015 to celebrate the end of treatment and reflect on the journey.
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31. 8/23/2013 - Dad's New 'Do.
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31. 8/23/2013 - Dad's New 'Do.

We were given the heads up that Hattie's hair would likely start falling out after the next big VAC chemo treatment. I buzzed my hair to be in solidarity with The Three Musketeers and hoping that it would help make Hattie's hair loss seem not so frightening to her (and also to me in retrospect). The chemo-induced hair loss is a huge deal for anybody in treatment and I'll get into our experiences more in-depth in upcoming posts.

I occasionally went for the full shave during treatment and still keep it short. Even after Hattie's hair has grown back, I've struggled with what to do with mine. Part of it might be psychological but a good part of it is summed up excellently by Alastair Moock Music's song "When I Get Bald," written from the perspective of a pediatric cancer patient:

When I get bald gonna laugh with dad
Gonna reminisce ‘bout the hair we had
Course I’ll laugh more ‘cuz it’s understood
Mine will be back, his is gone for good

  • 31. 8/23/2013 - Dad's New 'Do.
  • 32. 8/24 - 8/25/2013 - Quick trip to PTown.
  • 33. 8/27/2013 - At least there's music.
  • 34. 8/27/2013 - First overnight hydration.
  • 35. 8/27/2013 - Not feeling so well.
  • 36. 8/28/2013 - A long day with some silliness.
  • 37. 8/29/2013 - Solidarity.
  • 38. 8/29/2013 - First trip to the Emergency Department.
  • 39. 8/30/2013 - Second trip to the Emergency Department.
  • 40. 9/1/2013 - Back to her old tricks.
  • 41. 9/2/2013 - Horsing around with Auntie.
  • 42. 9/3/2013 - Stories with Auntie.
  • 43. 9/5/2013 - A blood draw gone wrong.
  • 44. 9/6/2013 - LADEE Launch. Wait, what's a rocket launch doing in a cancer retrospective?
  • 45. 9/9/2013 - A little sass.
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