Well, yesterday was a momentous day in our house.
We had the first ever head shaving party.
When Geli was diagnosed with Leukemia, the Doctors and Nurses had mentioned that Angelica might lose her hair as a side effect of the chemotherapy. She seemed to be okay with that, but then…it hadn’t happened yet and so we figured that we’d just deal with it, if and when it happened.
Well, Geli managed to make it all the way through the first month before her hair started to thin and then….it started to thin quite rapidly.
The biggest issue was the hair falling out and sticking to her body. You know that feeling when you’ve got a stray hair stuck to your back and you can’t quite get it off….now imagine 50 hairs all over your arms and back and neck and inside your shirt….not fun eh?
And so, yesterday I asked Angelica if she’d like to shave my head so that she could see what it would look like, if she were to shave her head…and she said yes!
So, we grabbed the buzzers, took a picture to show the “before”……
….then we cut the pony tail off….
……and then started shaving….
We had lots of help…..
Lots and LOTS of help….probably more than we really needed,but hey! Gotta pay attention to the details, right?
And then we moved on to Angelica….
And Siah decided that he wanted to get in on the action…
But trying to shaving a moving target……
Well, lets jut say that his head shave is a little less than perfect…
We finally remembered to take a good shot of Momma and Geli…
Xani came home after dinner and decided she wanted in on the action…
So, here was the before shot…
And here we are after it’s all done…
And later on, Papa came over to join in…
Here we are listening to him ask for just a little off the edges…
We figured while we were at it, we might as well see what Papa would look like with a little male pattern baldness…
We needed to rock star it out a little…..
Here is the official Head Shot…
But…..the best part of the whole day AND night was when Pap put on this wig….
And watching him do the head shake and hand flick made it apparently obvious that he’s had long hair in the past….
He looked like he’d just stepped out of the Coast Capital Banking Commercial….it was AWESOME!
We had a good day with lots of laughter and although it could have been a tough day….I think it turned out okay.
We will be adding pictures of Nana Karen, and Aunty Chelle as soon as download them off the camera….they came over this morning to add their beauty to the mix……
Everyone looks so beautiful……its amazing how much stock you put in things like hair, but to see that hair only adds to your beauty…it doesn’t make or define you as beautiful…..Beauty is who you are!
Wow, you guys are so beautiful! And courageous. I’m so very impressed at how all of you guys are coming together and supporting Geli and making something that could be so hard into something fun. And I must say, you’re right, the picture of Uncle Mark in the wig is amazing, I laughed out loud at that one. You guys are doing so amazing, I know some days can be hard, but the fun ones that involve lots of laughter will be the memories kept special forever. Love you all!
Patti you are an amazing mom….you inspire me to be a better mom…the love your family has for one another is nothing less than inspiring. It has been a real blessing to watch all of you guys put God first and love your way through the best and worst parts of your daily struggles….i must say you guys are one beautiful bald family! still praying… love the goertzens
OH, I’m in tears as I read this. JUST Beautiful! I love it!!! You’re an awesome mom, Patti – to go first in the process! Good for you! What a testimony to Geli, too – that you guys really do go through this stuff together!!!!! Luv & Blessings to you guys!
you guys are all awesome and courageous and have beautiful wonderful God fearing Spirits. What an encouragement you are to so many people
Well done! I kinda figured I should probably critique the shaving job. Not too bad for rookies, if you need any tips lemme know, I have a mad skill set! I’m thinking and praying for you all lots. Love ya all ! !
it made me cry. made me realize i never had love from biological family and foster family when i had cancer. both family were never there for me. went through 3 years of cancer all alone.
you are so blessed that your family loves you and supports you and are there for you.
it takes courage to shave the head. i admire your strength.
love Debra
All of you are stunning…well Papa is pretty cute in that wig too 😉
What a wonderful thing to do for Geli!
Beautiful! All of you!
OH MAN!! NOW I’M CRYING TOO!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
You guys are amazing. Simply amazing.
love your smiles. love your beautiful bald heads.
Love YOU!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
This is such an amazing show of support and love for Geli. The Shilton family did the same thing when Jeanie was going through her cancer treatment. You are an awesome family and your faith and courage are showing through in the tough times. Thanks for sharing your journey – you are inspiring!
Truly inspirational! Patti and family, you are the true beauty of what holding onto Jesus looks like.
All I can say is truly amazing.
We’re going to do what we can do from our end to stand with you guys! p.s. you’re dad looks like Wayne in that last shot! I remember when all of them had their hair a little longer….. and fuller 😛
Geli you look soooo beautiful. and So do you Patti and Xani. Not to mention just how beautiful Papa looks..(memories)..and Siah is sooooo cute…. What fun it all was. love Nana Karen
well, you stole my line at the end of your blog tonight. Real beauty will always shine through. Awesome, and it works well with the hot weather too. 🙂
Aunty Jo
Hey Geli was your head cold the first night??? I am sweating up a storm here and my head still feels a bit cold. I stuck one of Zac’s shirts on it cuz that was what was close. I look pretty funny with a shirt on my head. 🙂 🙂 Hee hee I love you so much.
I hope you found a great wig tonight and I can’t wait to see it.
Oh and I found my pearl earings so now it all works 🙂
Maybe you could take up hair cutting. Only you need to have a sign that sais “One Cut Fits All” 🙂
LOOOVVVVVVVVVVE You
Auntie Chelly
unbelievable!!!!! the cosmo family has no hair. I hope your donating that hair for the enviro clean up if it’s not long enough for wigs.
Hello,
Iam One of Michelles friend Susi.I know it is so very nice pictures of u all cutting the hair .And it is very nice your so Blessed you doing it all togther it will give u more strengh to go true all this.And the hair will come back again u know there say it will come much better and much stronger back so i pray for u hole family and God Bless you every day and every minues go bye.Take care hugs .
Susi and family
awww…what a beautiful family you have, inside and out! loved how your dad got in on it too! =)
xoxox
You guys are so awesome! Patti you are such an amazing mom! That is so inspiring! And you all look so amazing without hair! A truly gorgeous family! Wondering when Jon is next 😉 I’m sure those golden orange locks would be an amazing addition to the balding for dollars foundation! ;)! Be blessed! And praising god for the good work he is doing in you!
I Love It !!!! You guys look so good. The wigs look so much fun. I am glad. I had been thinkind]g that I might do the same here but HEY its WINTER!!! and they are predicting a BIG snow this winter here in cold NZ. Look for another surprise – this one from Aussie. Different things.
Now Jonathan ….. ??? I know you have this beautiful look like Jesus but….
BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!!
AMAZING! What incredible picutres reflecting your beautiful hearts! You all look so amazing … what an amazing lesson for us all to learn … it really is WHO you are! Thx Patti for sharing … praying for God’s strength while you walk this journey!
I’ve got tears in my eyes as I read these comments. Your an amazing mom. Your kids are so lucky and blessesd to have you as a parent. I’ve been reading since 05 and not once has your blog made me cry till now.
Now, what about the boys? Jon and Jeremy 😉
the love of a family, amazing and soooooo powerful
love and are praying for you all!!
Jon and Mischelle
You are a courageous mamma, Patti! I wanted to cry too, but you are right, it’s just hair.
Brought tears in my eyes. Degree of love and support of a family. All of you look really really beautiful and great. Yeah bald is beautiful. May the grace and power of our god be with you and lead you in this journey.
You all look freakin FANTASTIC!!! I cried a little, but man they were tears of hope and joy. Thank you so much for sharing that post!! 🙂
Good luck to your gorgeous, strong daughter Geli! She has a wonderful support system that is clear.
I know from experience it is also required. Can’t wait for her to pull through this! 🙂
What a beautiful story of love, courage and support. It brought a tear to my eye.
Love it and love you guys. Awesome family. Have you heard of St. Baldricks? Where entire youth baseball leagues do this in support. it is amazing. Keep fighting !
You all look SO beautiful! Just your gorgeous faces are seen now…
What a wonderful post. God bless you and your family during this time of fighting. If only half the world was a beautiful and courageous as you and your family, we would be in a much better place.