When a mother battles cancer, she loses her hair, so her son grows it out and makes a wig for her.
A benign brain tumor caused Melanie Shaha to lose her hair in 2003. So her kid grew out his hair to create her a wig.
Shaha of Gilbert, Arizona, started having dull headaches, which doctors later discovered to be indicators of a pituitary brain tumor.
When a mother battles cancer, she loses her hair, so her son grows it out and makes a wig for her.
The small gland near the base of the brain regulates hormones related to metabolism, stress, and growth.
Melanie’s plum-sized tumor impacted the pituitary gland’s functionality.
The mother of six told TODAY Parents that her surgery to remove the tumor “went pretty well.”
In 2006, the tumor had to be removed again due to a recurrence, and in 2017, a third recurrence necessitated radiation.
“I asked my doctor regarding hair loss.”
According to Melanie Shaha, “and they said ‘No.'” “I had a massive shed and started shedding hair three months later.” According to the National Cancer Institute, “I was amazed.” “Hair loss in treated areas is a side effect of radiation.”
Without hair, “you stand out like a sore thumb, and well-meaning people might say things that shatter your heart,” she explained. I don’t enjoy looking sick, even though I don’t mind being sick. I’d rather blend in than stand out in the supermarket.
During a family brunch in 2018, Matt, Melanie’s son, who is 27 years old, cracked a joke.
I proposed letting my hair grow out so I could make a wig for you.
After graduating from a university with a dress code that limited hair length, Matt was enjoying the freedom of growing his hair out, but “something clicked.”
Melanie Shaha, on the other hand, did not want to burden her son. “I’d say, ‘I adore your hair,’ and he’d add, ‘Coming soon to a head near you!’” ‘” she explained.
Matt had grown 12 inches of hair by March 21, enough for a wig. He and a few coworkers went to his mother’s house and chopped it off.
“We were overjoyed, and when they started chopping, we bawled,” Melanie added.
Matt’s hair was transferred to Compassionate Creations in Newport Beach, California, where Melanie received a hand-tied wig in June.
“The family was such a joy to deal with,” said co-founder Veronica Balch. “That makes what we do even more remarkable when someone selflessly shaves their head for a family member.”
Melanie is in love with her wig. “The color is stunning, and we got it trimmed and groomed by a professional,” she remarked. “That looks excellent on me, according to Matt.”
Melanie recognized that Matt’s present would be difficult to top. “It fills your emotional cup.”
