Brief health update: Not much new to report; we’re still on schedule for a late July/early August surgery to put in a plastic plate to replace the bone that was taken out. (I might have said mid July before, but had forgotten my doctor’s original timeline, and was just jumping the gun a bit) Some of my eye/headached issues seem to have settled down a bit, now that I’m not taking all those nasty pills. I remain much appreciative for the kind words, prayers, and general support from many…
A funny realization hit me the other day; I’ve been wearing hats to cover up a surgery scar since August, and a protective helmet since April. Meaning, very few people have seen my head on a regular basis in almost a year…
…meaning, nobody I’ve met since last summer necessarily knows that I’m pretty bald up there.
Not that I make a big deal out of this. But it’s one of those things people might otherwise describe me by: “You know, Phil…goatee, ’bout this tall, kinda balding.”
Now, this whole brain surgery thing has, for the time being, completely removed that from the equation of my social interactions. Unless I make a point of letting others know about it (like now), those folks who didn’t know me before August 2008 have no idea what I’m hiding.
Isn’t that just life, though? People see what we present to them, and not the other stuff that we’ve learned to keep hidden (for good or for bad). A quote I saw while skimming a Dr. Phil show (read: NOT WATCHING. SKIMMING) had him saying something to the effect of, “You wouldn’t care so much about what others thought of you if you knew how seldom they did.”
In reflection, I’m quite certain none of my new church and work friends (from the new church and workplace I’ve joined since my first surgery) would look at me any differently, nor treat me better or worse, were my big bald forehead be shining back at them during our conversations. Heck, it’d probably be less distracting than having to explain why I’m wearing a waterski helmet at church…
No grand conclusions here. Draw from that though what you will…
June 30, 2009 at 4:14 am
Skimming, yes SKIMMING. I know exactly what you mean.
Re: “You wouldn’t care so much about what others thought of you if you knew how seldom they did.” I like that one. I must remember that one. I do believe it to be true.
June 30, 2009 at 6:33 am
On of my co-workers has a brother who was bald forever. He had cancer, went through chemo, and afterword grew a full head of hair. The doctor told him he might be onto something and his reply was “the side effects weren’t worth it.” His new hair never stopped growing.
June 30, 2009 at 6:39 am
You know, the hair thing really didn’t affect me too much (radiation made it a bit patchy, but, you know, the hat thing…).
I more just liked the idea that nobody I’ve met in 2008/09 knows what my head looks like…