I always wait to get my hair cut when I go to Florida. I know, I know I've been living in TN for 5 years now and have never gotten my hair done here! Anyways, unfortunately my cousin (the best hair dresser ever) wasn't able to dorp everything he was doing and come cut all of my hair off. This all made me a little bit more anxious as I started wondering who would help me with my unavoidable "hair problem". Every morning I walk a few miles and pass by a small salon that has been opened a little over a year. Juel Salon located in Jamison Station in Franklin, TN. I made up my mind, despite the "fancy" look of the salon that this is where I was going to go. Wednesday, my last day of work before starting treatment, I nervously pulled into the parking lot and walked to the front of the salon. I reached out my sweaty hand to open the door and.. Yes!! it was locked! I'm outta here!! And then a kind, young gentleman ran over and let me in (rats!). He asked the usual questions you would expect at a salon and I gave answers you would never expect.
"What can I help you with?"
"What's the earliest I can make an appointment?"
"What stylist?"
"Hmm, well, here's the deal. I start chemotherapy next week and I just need someone to cut all my hair off."
"You're going to cut it?!" (ugh. as if I want to cut it :( )
"It's going to fall out and I'd like to donate it before that happens."
"I have the perfect stylist for you." (He waves over a spunky, curly, red head)
She was happy. She was smiling. She was comforting. He brought her up to speed as far as what I needed. We set an appointment for the following Tuesday and then she snuck her card with her cell number in my hand and offered to come anytime in the next couple days if I wanted it done earlier.
After 6 days of pure anxiety and trying to cancel the appointment, I showed up 5 minutes late for my hair appointment. I was greeted by Beth, my hairdresser, and we got ready to get started. She began to tell me about her story. She had recently lost her mother after a battle with cancer this past November. She talked about how her mother had a very difficult time losing her hair and that it was pretty traumatic. She began to tell me how crazy it was that I came into the salon that day. They were just talking about how they could help people that were going through this experience. What could they do to help others? Then I walked in. And I was their answer.
Beth did an amazing job, not only on my hair, but making sure I was ok during all of this. The entire appointment I had no anxiety and that deep pit in my stomach from the past 6 days was gone.
The Juel Salon surprised me with a free hair cut and the stylist, Beth gave me beautiful earrings as a gift.
Here are some pictures of one of my "baby steps".