The Story of how I got Bald

By: Patricia Kent

Photographs courtesy of Melissa Saulnier

It was a rainy day. I was trying to mentally prepare myself to get to work when the phone rang. Auntie Paula spoke from the other side. We were talking when the topic of wigs came up. I told her I was pretty dissapointed in the selection I had seen but my hair was falling out and I felt trapped. She told me that she had found the website of a salon in Boston. I said that I would like to try one more place but that I wasn't sure I would ever find anything that I really liked. She gave me the phone number and I made an appointment for 2 days later.

After work on the day of the appointment I picked up my mom, my cousin Melissa, and Auntie Paula. The Buick Lounge Lesabre took us straight onto Boylston Street and right into the perfect parking spot... with 20 minutes left on the meter! We walked over to Newbury Street in search of "The Salon @ 10 Newbury." We got into the tiny elevator and pushed 2.

When we got inside we met with Patricia, the wig professional and stylist. She took us into her office and I sat in the hot seat. She had to search for a third chair because I had brought with me quite the entourage. I apologized, but there wasn't much I could do, they were all so jealous of my situation.

You wouldn't believe it, but the first wig I tried on... looked like me!! I was so excited about it and relieved. Patricia said that she had another appointment that evening... but if we went for a bite to eat she could fit and style the wig as well as shave my head when we got back! I couldn't think of a better deal. So we went to the Parish Cafe for dinner.

The Shave

Scared face 1 / Scared face 2 / Scared face 3

Even mom and Auntie Paula were scared. I think they were more scared, actually. :)

Then it was time to rock out. HERE'S YOUR MOHAWK!

I'm not going to lie, the entire experience was extremely liberating. Even if my hair does grow back... I might just keep it like this. :) I look much better than Brittany Spears.

After the most exhilarating hair cut of my life I had to put the wig on so we could cut and style it the way I wanted. It was a delicate process.

Patricia was the nicest woman in the world. She really tried to make the wig look like me. She watched me play with it so she would know how I like it to look. She asked a lot of questions. So did I.

In the end... everyone was excited!!

Thank you, Patricia for your hard work and compassion!

I look great! (You do too!) Talk to you soon!!