PDA

View Full Version : Thank you LHC! 2.5 years of progress.



girlcat36
February 14th, 2010, 09:00 AM
I was going to post this in the 'mini-milestone' thread that FrannyG started, but then I thought this might need it's own thread. It's actually a huge milestone for me.

After losing half of my hair to cancer in 2007, I waited for the day when it would fully recover and be all the SAME length. I lost 50% of my volume, and had a completely bald spot on the lower half of the back of my head. I wanted to keep my length throughout the growing-in process. It proved to be an exercise in patience.
Little by little, I microtrimmed away the longer length; and occasionally had to have several bigger(2-3") trims.

Two weeks before finding LHC
(such thin hair!), July 2007:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/beachpicthinhair.jpg


My first LHC back of the head shot, Aug. 2007:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/hairdownpic.jpg

My bald spot, Aug. 2007:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/P1000735.jpg

Starting to grow in, Dec.2007:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/P1010060-1.jpg

My growing-in layer is now neck length, May 2008:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/necklengthhair.jpg

It was difficult hanging on to the length(BSL) with the ends so thin, June 2008:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/beachhair.jpg

Microtrimming still, Feb. 2009:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/P1010817-1.jpg

Finally, the LAST trim to even up the two layers, Dec.2009:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/girlcat36/LHC%20pictures/9071-1.jpg

Now I feel I can truly begin the growing process!
I lost every bit of length I gained since joining LHC, and my hair is still thin, and still APL, but it's great to have a blunt(ish) hemline.
Thanks to all of you who have encouraged and supported me through this not so easy process! :blossom: :love:

lilalong
February 14th, 2010, 09:11 AM
Congratulations.

your hair looks great. I love the curls.

serious
February 14th, 2010, 09:11 AM
Congratulations, girlcat36!
You are such a beautiful, brave and strong woman with very pretty hair!
You are such an inspiration!:flowers:

RavennaNight
February 14th, 2010, 09:46 AM
Congrats Girlcat!:flowers: Your progress is so inspirational to so many folks here! I'm glad to see your hair and especially YOU are doing so much better:)

maskedrose
February 14th, 2010, 09:48 AM
Congratulations! It looks stunning and will only improve with length! :flower:

spidermom
February 14th, 2010, 09:50 AM
You really have been an inspiration, and your hair looks so pretty now.

PseudoScot
February 14th, 2010, 09:53 AM
Your journey and growth have been an inspiration. You have gorgeous hair!

:grouphug:

justgreen
February 14th, 2010, 09:53 AM
Thanks for showing all the pics, it really makes one understand just what you went through and the endurance you have. I love your curls and you are a wonderful woman, I'm proud to know you here. :flowers:
love and hugs
justy
xoxo

camirra555
February 14th, 2010, 09:54 AM
Great progress!

clairenewcastle
February 14th, 2010, 09:59 AM
Your hair has come made some amazing progress over the last two years. :)

So have you. :flowers:

Congratulations. :blossom:

Longlocks3
February 14th, 2010, 10:02 AM
Your curls are so beautiful! It's nice to hear about your story and your strength. Thank you for sharing.

Peter
February 14th, 2010, 10:05 AM
Simply excellent!

You've certainly come a very long way, congratulations!

EdG
February 14th, 2010, 10:12 AM
Congratulations, girlcat! :)
Ed

little_acorn
February 14th, 2010, 10:19 AM
Great progress and curls - congratulations :flowers:

Carolyn
February 14th, 2010, 10:23 AM
Your progress certainly deserves it's own thread! :) Congratulations on regaining your lovely curls. You are an example of how patience pays off.

Bluebell
February 14th, 2010, 11:01 AM
This a huge milestone, congratulations! I'm so happy for you!:flower:

LadyJennifer
February 14th, 2010, 11:05 AM
Congrats! What great progress! :)

DavidN
February 14th, 2010, 11:07 AM
Oh, Girlcat, congratulations to you on your 2.5 year LHC anniversary, and it has been a pleasure having you as a member of our community.:blossom: Your hair has thickened so well over the years, and your curls are beautiful!

Nera
February 14th, 2010, 11:14 AM
Congratulations!

So amazing you just kept going on and had the patience for it! It looks healthy and shiny too.

Pixna
February 14th, 2010, 11:17 AM
Congratulations, Girlcat!!! Your hair looks beautiful, and it is a fitting reward for all that you have been through. Your patience and persistence have truly paid off. You look wonderful, and your curls are thicker and more gorgeous than ever!!! :toast:

Forever_Sophie
February 14th, 2010, 11:27 AM
Congrats on all the progress you've made, both with your hair (looks fantastic!) and physically. Wishing you a future of excellent health! xoxo

rags
February 14th, 2010, 11:51 AM
Your hair is beautiful, and your story is inspiring! I love your latest pic - your curls are gorgeous!
Your story gives me hope that one day mine too will grow back.

mellie
February 14th, 2010, 11:54 AM
Girlcat, it's been so wonderful to meet you here! Your progress is so inspiring and we love you!! :flowers:

morguebabe
February 14th, 2010, 11:57 AM
Looking great overall!

girlcat36
February 14th, 2010, 01:41 PM
Thank you all so much for your very kind comments!
I couldn't have done it without your support!
You all carried me through quite a few "my hair makes me so sad" threads, especially when I first joined.
It was not easy, and I am so glad to be at the end of this mini goal.

I have recovered from the cancer quite well, but unfortunately a subsequent surgery in 2008 left me with a surgically induced chronic illness.
I no longer have the ability to control blood levels of calcium and potassium. This is fatal if left untreated, and there is no cure(thank you, Dr. :mad:).
What this means for my hair is that I will never have optimal levels of calcium which is essential for hair growth.
Along with loss of calcium, I am on synthroid and am anemic as well!
So my hair has suffered with quite a bit of thinning. It figures, it's always something with my hair!
Anyway--a new hair challenge; but I will make the most of it!

Thanks again for everyone's nice comments!

may1em
February 14th, 2010, 01:56 PM
It looks really pretty, curly, and shiny now! Congratulations on getting it all one length without going short. You'll just enjoy it even more now. :)

cottage46
February 14th, 2010, 02:04 PM
Your patience has been rewarded. Those are some beautiful curls!

Calista
February 14th, 2010, 02:22 PM
You know I´m a huge fan of your hair, girlcat. Curls always look good IMO, and I don´t see thin hair when I look at your pics. I see delicate hair on a delicate person, and it suits you so well.

Sammich
February 14th, 2010, 03:02 PM
Wow, your hair is definately thicker and really beautiful. :D
Congrats to youu. *Hug* ^_^

Fractalsofhair
February 14th, 2010, 03:05 PM
Congrats! Your hair has grown in a lot! Even in the first photo, it doesn't look terrible. I love your curls, they really are very envy inducing!

Clarisse
February 14th, 2010, 03:05 PM
Your "new" hair actually looks thick in my eyes - and the curls are lovely. =D

jera
February 14th, 2010, 03:23 PM
Girlcat I love your curls. :D And now you've got some awesome length to go with them. Congrats on your progress. Your courage in everything is an inspiration. :)

HeatherMae
February 14th, 2010, 03:25 PM
You have made amazing progress! Good for you! Your hair sure grows fast. I love your pretty curls!! Thanks for sharing your great pictures. :)

KarpatiiSiv
February 14th, 2010, 03:28 PM
Your patience and determination has certainly paid off.:thumbsup: Your hair is looking lovely, beautiful curls. Congratulations.http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/congratualtions.gif (http://www.millan.net)

adiapalic
February 14th, 2010, 03:33 PM
Congratulations! Your curls are so full and beautiful :)

cmnt831
February 14th, 2010, 03:34 PM
Congratulations! I think your hair is really pretty - it's come a long way in only 2.5 years. :)

FrannyG
February 14th, 2010, 04:05 PM
Congratulations, Girlcat! It feels like just yesterday that you joined LHC. Your progress has been phenomenal and I'm thrilled for you that you'll now just be able to grow! We are so lucky to have you as a member here. :blossom:

girloctopus
February 14th, 2010, 04:54 PM
I just adore your curls! Your story is amazing as well. I'm sorry to hear of your chronic illness, but congratulations on overcoming your other obstacles!

Xandergrammy
February 14th, 2010, 05:04 PM
Your hair looks fantastic, girlcat! Your story has left a lasting impression on me and you will always be a great source of inspiration. :heartbeat

smilinjenn71
February 14th, 2010, 05:22 PM
I'm always so happy to see your progress. Probably more so because of everything you've been through! Your hair looks so pretty and I just love the curls!

Question: Are you sure you are at APL? Looks longer than that to me in your siggy pic.

lhangel9
February 14th, 2010, 05:37 PM
Such beautiful hair and great progress!!

paper
February 15th, 2010, 07:22 AM
Congrats! :toast: Nice progress! Your hair is so pretty, love the curls!

MsBubbles
February 15th, 2010, 08:56 AM
Your hair remains beautiful in spite of any thinning or radiation-induced bald areas you've had over the past few years. It just looks pretty. Period. I would never consider your hair 'thin'! The curls are so beautiful.

Teakafrog
February 15th, 2010, 12:34 PM
Beautiful. Oh, and the hair's nice too. :flower:

Naluin
February 16th, 2010, 07:34 AM
Congrats, Girlcat! Your hair is lovely. :flowers:

pdy2kn6
February 16th, 2010, 11:03 AM
I agree with the others...inspiring journey. It looks like your doing great, and so good to know that you have recovered!! Keep up the great work. Your curls are beautiful.

restourceful
February 16th, 2010, 11:14 AM
Really lovely, Girlcat! Your story is amazing. With your positive attitude I'm sure you will meet the new challenges *head on* (pun intended ;)). I'm looking forward to watching you achieve your next goal! :blossom:

oceanwoman111
February 16th, 2010, 11:41 AM
Wow, your thickness and length have increased so much!! Your hair is very Beautiful! Congrats! :cheer:

merryhair
February 16th, 2010, 12:28 PM
Congratulations!! :cheer: Your hair has grown a lot. It looks so lovely.:blossom: Happy growing!:)

Tutti_Frutti
February 16th, 2010, 12:48 PM
Amazing progress, congratulations! Your curls look so shiny and soft. And I must say you look so much younger than 44, even after your battle against cancer. :)

GlassEyes
February 16th, 2010, 01:09 PM
Congrats, girlcat! I'm with everyone who thinks your hair looks really soft too!

Nightshade
February 16th, 2010, 01:15 PM
What great and inspiring progress! :flowers:

squiggyflop
February 16th, 2010, 01:24 PM
congrats.. your hair looks great :thud:

girlcat36
February 16th, 2010, 04:37 PM
Thank you everybody, for all your kind words!
I can't wait to finally reach BSL! Maybe by June, if I'm lucky and don't shed out my longer hair.

OhioLisa
February 16th, 2010, 05:55 PM
Wow, your hair has come such a long way. Your curls are just fabulous. Congrats on your beautiful growth! :)

jojo
February 18th, 2010, 02:14 AM
Your hair is so noticably thicker and it looks so cute too with your envious boinging curls.

Teazel
February 18th, 2010, 03:11 AM
Congratulations - your hair looks lovely! What great progress you've made. :toast:

Chrissy
February 18th, 2010, 04:12 AM
Hi girlcat!!! I'm so glad you made your own thread. You have come a long way with your hair and physically as well. Your perserverance has paid off with your hair. It looks lovely!!! I too have a chronic illness so I know how hard it can be. I'm first and foremost happy you beat the cancer!!!! Yeah you!!!! You are inspiring to not give up on anything. Well done my friend.:cheer:

Phalaenopsis
February 18th, 2010, 05:18 AM
You know Iīm a huge fan of your hair, girlcat. Curls always look good IMO, and I donīt see thin hair when I look at your pics. I see delicate hair on a delicate person, and it suits you so well.

You put that so beautifully. I second that.

Congratulations! :flower:

JamieLeigh
February 18th, 2010, 08:42 AM
Your ringlets are so gorgeous!! :crush: Congrats on 2.5 years, and I hope things continue to look positively for you. :)

PurpleAshes
February 18th, 2010, 10:00 AM
Congrats Girlcat! Your hair looks lovely, and I'm glad you're happier with your hair now :blossom:

cardamom
March 13th, 2010, 01:01 AM
That was an amazing achievement!:)

skysraine
March 13th, 2010, 01:11 AM
For where your TREASURE is there will your heart be also....
Inspirational, Lovely curlz:blossom: Everyday is your adventure. You have a great attitude dont let anyone take it away from you! XOXO

girlcat36
March 14th, 2010, 06:03 PM
I never came back to this thread to thank the rest of you!!
So---Thanks to all of you who posted here; you keep me going in this long hair adventure which hasn't been easy! :grouphug:

Shicurls
March 14th, 2010, 07:29 PM
Wow great growth! Your hair is beautiful!

SpecialKitty
March 14th, 2010, 10:54 PM
Congratulations! You have come a long way, and your hair looks stunning!!

jessie58
March 14th, 2010, 11:18 PM
Fantastic progress.
Beautiful hair.
Beautiful lady.

RedButterfly
March 14th, 2010, 11:18 PM
Your hair looks beautiful! It has grown so much. I also think that you are my hair twin. Your curl pattern looks very similar to mine! :)

Rhiannon7
March 15th, 2010, 12:44 AM
Congratulations! on both the hair issue and the other issue.
your hair looks so great! so full of life and lovely shine and the curls! just lovely.

Hugs!

christine1989
March 15th, 2010, 12:46 AM
Wow! It looks longer AND thicker!