And So It Begins ...

In the ever advancing onslaught of the side effects of chemotherapy, there is one that stands out to everyone.  Yesterday morning when the Goatmother took her shower, the shampooing routine yielded something new.  Yes, you guessed it, a handful of hair.  Of course they told her this would happen, usually about week three or more.  Monday is the beginning of the Goatmother's 3rd week.  The Goatmother, as I pointed out previously, is sometimes a late bloomer.  I guess not always.  Sometimes she's ahead of the game.  Who knew?  Well, we can't say we weren't expecting this.  Still, when it actually begins, it is somewhat disconcerting.  Sort of like Fall in the Summer.  Or having a La Niña year two years in a row.  Or an Alpine being nice.  Just disconcerting.

Enter our dear friends Mrs. Micawber and the Snowcatcher, two of the brightest stars shining in the night sky.  You may remember that the Snowcatcher was responsible for the Goatmother's lovely 'Window of Hope' filled with graceful pink and white crocheted snowflakes.  But now these two ladies, ever the dab hands at crocheting, have decided to do a  'Hat For A Cause'  campaign in the Goatmother's honor, having created some exquisite patterns that anyone can use (but not sell, of course) to give to someone they know who is experiencing hair loss.  Not only that, but they have graciously included guidelines for materials and information about where, should you not personally know a deserving soul, hats can be donated to help those in need.  Places like hospitals or cancer care centers; and there is a list of organizations to donate hats to as well.  They have thought of everything.

I know I have said this ad nauseum (Can a goat say anything ad nauseum?  Well, except for maybe Boo ...), but the human spirit is simply one of the most beautiful things on this earth.  The fact that Mrs. Micawber's  post of  Operation Marigold  has coincided exactly with the Goatmother's beginning to lose her hair is rather miraculous, don't you think?  Coincidence?  No.  More like serendipitous.  Perhaps Mrs. Micawber has a bit of the *shining* like our friend Claire.  I can't help but wonder - and I'm a pretty wonderful goat. (Ha!  get it?  I just kill me.)

Do please be aware that the Snowcatcher has just finished a grueling bicycle adventure and has not had the opportunity to post her  Operation Marigold  pattern as yet.  However, she is not far behind and we'll let you know when it is up and running.  (Do patterns run?  Maybe only the Goatmother's do, and usually that is backwards, as in taking it out to fix a mistake.) :)

Thank you Mrs. Micawber and Snowcatcher.  More inadequate words trying to convey emotion deeply felt.   Maybe I should express that loving appreciation to Mrs. Micawber and the Snowcatcher  in 'goat' for the Goatmother.  "Baa, ma maaa ma maaaaaa.  Bah maaaah aaaaah Ba."  What does it mean?  You figure it out.  I'm going to get the Goatmother some more Kleenex.

Anyway, the Goatmother is doing pretty well with the condition her condition is in.  Why just this morning the Goatfather walked by her sitting on the couch.  She reached her hand to her head, grabbed a handful of hair and out it came, after which she proffered it to the Goatfather, smiled and said, 'Here'.  The Goatfather walked away laughing.

"We're all born bald, baby."  - Telly Savalas