Bald & Beautiful

Hair-fall? Wh-what is that?

When I first got the news that mummy has a small tumor in her brain which would require a surgery, almost instantly my mind was flooded with images of Neurosurgical patients (thanks to my experience as a house doctor in Neurosurgery ICU) in various states of consciousness with orange adhesives adorning their bare scalps, with pipes and tubes connecting them to monitors, ventilators and their kind. Believe me it is not a very pretty sight, especially when it comes to seeing the people you love in that helpless state.

As she prepared herself for her new look, she had an assurance that the hair will grow back stronger and longer this time. Something similar happened to my grandma who too underwent a major surgery to remove a brain tumor but God blessed her with healthier hair (waist-length) almost double the pre-operative hair length. It was like Job, his latter end was more blessed than his former and he was blessed with double for his trouble. Mummy was almost thanking God for the waist length hair that would grow back in a few months time. Mummy knew she wasn’t alone.

“When I walk through deep waters
I know that You will be with me
When I’m standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me”- I’m not alone- Kari Jobe

I love the Amplified Bible’s paraphrase of Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” We also experienced what apostle Paul probably went through when he wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” 2 Corinthians 4. But one of the most amazing things I noticed was mummy was upbeat all this while ready to take in stride everything that came up.

And the night before the surgery when she finally got her new look, she told me she is not troubled and disturbed by this surgery as God had given her strength and grace. She recently emerged out of a major depressive episode so she felt that the tumor could not shake her faith and her hope. The depression had only helped to cement her faith in her creator. Her life is now a testament to Abba’s promise that His grace is enough for us and His strength is made perfect in weakness.

Thank Abba no more hair-fall, split-ends and bad hair days! Phew!