Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: LiveStrong on May 06, 2007, 08:44:03 PM
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Hey sly guys, just thought I’d share my story. I want to give a thanks to the people here for helping to give me strength as well as possibly provide some inspiration to others contemplating making the plunge of going sly.
I’m 26 right now and this is the second time in my life I’ve lost my hair. I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 23. So I was a sly guy from July ’04 until about Sep or Oct ’05. I never embraced it, always wore hats etc. You could say I had a bad self image associated with being bald, but really that’s because I looked like I was dying, not because I looked bad bald. Still this winter my hairline was getting worse, and it aggravated me that I was getting stressed about something so vain and trivial, especially after what I’ve gone through. A few nights ago I finally did it and shaved my head. Buzzed it down then mach 3’ed it the next night. I did it for myself mainly, but also for a friend. I met someone about my age during my chemo treatments that was also going through chemo and recently had a recurrence and he starts chemo again tomorrow.
Call me crazy, but shaving my head symbolized so much more. I’ve had no evidence of disease for a year now, but much of that has been spent living in fear. Fear that my cancer will come back, fear of what people (esp girls) will think of my scars (and boy do I have a lot ), fear of what people will think of me balding. Well I don’t want to live in fear anymore and while of course I still am scared of a recurrence I can certainly work on the other things in my life that scare me. Since shaving I feel a lot better, and if anyone gives me grief about it, well I don’t really care what they think. I will have to start a few conversations with “No im not back on chemo again†though haha
btw if anyone has questions about my cancer or whatever, go ahead. Nothing is off limits for me
-Mike
EDIT: oh yea and being bald rocks! haha i was missing being bald anyways. I'm pretty fair skinned though so my noggin needs a bit of sun to match up with my face.
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Great Story!!! I am an oncology nurse and completely understand where you are coming from!! Stay strong!!
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Mike, it's great to have you here at Sly Bald Guys!! Welcome.
I'm really glad that this site has helped give you strength and overcome some of your fears. It's also great the you're willing to be an inspiration to other; just by being willing you will be.
I look forward to getting to know you.
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Stay strong homie the bald brother hood is at your service feel free to add me to all your messengers and if you need a friend to chat with n e time i am almost always on.
dave
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Great Story!!! I am an oncology nurse and completely understand where you are coming from!! Stay strong!!
Nice :) Oncology nurses and doctors are incredible people. I still visit the floor where i got treatment occasionally. Of course i'll be there tomorrow too for my friends first day of chemo. Sucks that i have to go for that reason but i still will be glad to see my old nurses. They will recognize me again because i am bald too haha.
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Welcome to SBG Mike, you'll find lots of support and good advice here. Thanks for sharing your story and look forward to getting to know you.
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You're going to inspire a lot of people with that post. You're an inspiration. Never forget that. Ever.
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You've got friends here, LiveStrong!
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Great story LiveStrong...I am right here with you.....I am also a young cancer survivor. Started as Testicular and jumped to my spine...shattering it in 4 spots......I also rock the sly look for three reasons 1) symbolize my perseverance and strength 2) Show support for those that are dealing with cancer especially those that I have made special bonds with 3) Sly is the way to be. I am proud and healthy now at the age of 24 and have had more experiences then most have by mid life. I am happy and so greatful for those around me. I am also open for anyone that would like to talk or discuss cancer O0 God Bless and welcome to SBG
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Welcome aboard LiveStrong. Glad to have you!
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Welcome Mike, glad to have you with us and glad you shared your inspirational story, it was awesome
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Welcome to the forum LiveStrong,its great to hear these stories & how people overcome problems in life...
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Great story and great name Livestrong; I too am glad that you've joined the SBG family. I hope that you continue to post in our forum and continue to be an inspiration to others going through a simmaler problem.
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Thanks for sharing your inspirational story LiveStrong...and welcome to SBGs! 8)
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Welcome LiveStrong. Great story. I'm sure you will be an inspiration to others.
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Mike, glad you joined us and shared your story. Not much else I can say that hasn't already been said. Stick around and post up, we hope to get to know you better.
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Welcome Mike...it is an inspirational story...everyone gets here in a different way and for different reasons...but always be happy in the fact that it is cool to be bald and some people actually prefer it to having hair.....
...hair is highly overrated!
Sly is just better! 8)
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O0 O0 O0 Mike, I am also a cancer survivor. I love my bald head now; so does my loving wife. Most men, as RazorX has commented, actually look better bald. DRAW ON US, MAN. Professor Melon
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wellcome mike.
that good that this site has helped to elasticity you force and has surpassed some of your fears.
it enjoys your change and that you follow with your shaved head.
greetings from colombia
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Its great to hear that you are overcoming your fears. Welcome to SBG! 8)
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As all of the others have said, welcome to SBG's. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Hearing your story makes alot of the fears about being SLY sound pretty trivial.
For now, I guess it doen't matter how we all ended up here, it's the support we can give to each other that really counts.
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Great story bro. Welcome to the family. O0 Stick around and post up some more so we can get to know you better. Take care.
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Hearing your story makes alot of the fears about being SLY sound pretty trivial.
Yea but it is a tough thing to deal with I suppose. I didnt really stress out during chemo much, I generally dont stress out over anything. I just had a rough few months and this was on top of everything else. But now I'm sly and loving it :)
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone
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Welcome to SBG! LiveStrong everyday! O0
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...Call me crazy, but shaving my head symbolized so much more. I’ve had no evidence of disease for a year now, but much of that has been spent living in fear. Fear that my cancer will come back, fear of what people (esp girls) will think of my scars (and boy do I have a lot ), fear of what people will think of me balding. Well I don’t want to live in fear anymore and while of course I still am scared of a recurrence I can certainly work on the other things in my life that scare me. Since shaving I feel a lot better, and if anyone gives me grief about it, well I don’t really care what they think. I will have to start a few conversations with “No im not back on chemo again†though hah
-Mike
EDIT: oh yea and being bald rocks! ...
Welcome Mike! :)
Wow, what a story! Keep on inspiring O0 Glad to hear you are not living in fear! I understand that feeling too but it is So empowering to embrace what has happened in your life and to say to our society and illness - "You Cannot and Will Not keep me down!" Just be the Amazing person you were created to be.
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Great story, Mike! Welcome to SBG!
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Welcome brother - awesome story
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Welcome to the family... It's good that your there for your friend, I know she'll appreciate it.
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Got a pic up. I'm starting to get adjusted to the look O0
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm1.static.flickr.com%2F189%2F497291580_7e7ae525f7.jpg%3Fv%3D0&hash=1d1ee69dfdff63f10a54b75134e0575dd9756077)
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That's a great pic bro!! Very Sly!
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great story man!
hope to hear more about your experiences!
Welcome to SBG!
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Dude, the pic looks good! Make it your avatar...be an inspiration to the dudes on the fence about takin' it sly!
Keep it smooth and sly, my bald brutha!
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Welcome to the site...
Very inspirational story, helps to show that there are way more important things to deal with then to worry about hairloss.
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Got a pic up. I'm starting to get adjusted to the look O0
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm1.static.flickr.com%2F189%2F497291580_7e7ae525f7.jpg%3Fv%3D0&hash=1d1ee69dfdff63f10a54b75134e0575dd9756077)
Looking good LiveStrong. Man, that pic makes you look like you really have no hair; I'm jealous. The less hair, the better the look, in my opinion. Kudos on the shirt, I like that. It goes well with the theme of the shaved head. It's all in the attitude and how you carry yourself.
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Very SLY brother!!!
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Great Sly pic LiveStrong 8)
You sport the look well. O0
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I agree the pic looks great. O0
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great pic..very sly..thanks for posting
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O0 O0 O0 Welcome aboard, Mike. You touched a lot of nerve ends with your story. I am also a cancer survivor and know the fear of recurrence that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Baldness was a choice for me, not related to the radiation treatment I underwent, although some of my colleagues immediately assumed I'd had a recurrence when I appeared bald on campus after a six-month sabbatical. Struggling against cancer puts balding into perspective. Being sly has actually boosted my confidence and granted me freedom from anxiety about stuff that's not worth my time thinking about. I don't know what you looked like with hair, but, if your pic is any indication, I'd venture to guess that you're better without it--somewhat like Yul Brenner. RazorX remarked some months ago that most men look better with a shaved head; you certainly corroborate that thesis. Glad to have you on the furum. Godspeed, Professor Melon
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Mike, I just got around to reading your story.
Congrats on your strength and attitude. Plus, a handsome guy like you should have no problem with the lay-days (surprised MagmaBabe hasn't given some some electronic love yet).
Rock On.
Cheers,
Schro
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Great look livestrong.
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An amazing story and very inspirational!
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An amazing story and very inspirational!
Welcome KySly.
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Thank you for sharing your story with us, by doin so you have inspired so many others that you dont realize. It's people like you that have the strength that make us stronger. The bald look, looks great on you, stay strong... O0
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Well yesterday I had my scans to make sure I am still healthy and they all came back good. So a big hurray for me, that was such a stressful day. I would do the dancing banana but i guess this forum doesn't have that :)
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Well yesterday I had my scans to make sure I am still healthy and they all came back good. So a big hurray for me
HURRAY!!!!!!!!!! That's the best news I've heard in along time, LiveStrong! Congrats on remaining disease-free. Thanks so much for sharing your outstanding news. My field is Hem/Onc, so I'm always thrilled to hear about the success stories. Your news made my month, dude! Be Sly and love life!
JJ
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LiveStrong, that is such great news! Very happy for you bro! !B@
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awesome story and welcome.
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Well yesterday I had my scans to make sure I am still healthy and they all came back good. So a big hurray for me, that was such a stressful day. I would do the dancing banana but i guess this forum doesn't have that :)
congrats...that is great news Livestrong! O0
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Very, Very good news!!!!
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Mike, I just got around to reading your story.
Congrats on your strength and attitude. Plus, a handsome guy like you should have no problem with the lay-days (surprised MagmaBabe hasn't given some some electronic love yet).
Rock On.
Cheers,
Schro
*ahem* and just what exactly is that supposed to mean Mr Schro?! huh?!! flippin' cheek! I'm outraged..you make me sound like some kind of cheap internet floozy, well lemme tell you mister, I aint cheap!! :px ;D
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Well yesterday I had my scans to make sure I am still healthy and they all came back good. So a big hurray for me, that was such a stressful day. I would do the dancing banana but i guess this forum doesn't have that :)
Hiya Livestrong, sorry to make such a late appearance in this thread, seems to be becoming a bit of a habit of mine :-[
Firstly, may I extend to you a big warm welcome to the forum. :)
Secondly, congrats on staying positive when faced with such a trying time, it's the best kind of attitude to have. I think pretty much everyone on this forum has been touched by cancer in some way or another. You have the right outlook on life, stay strong and I wish you all the best. It's awesome news that your scans came back clear. And just for you here's a big "HURRAY!"
and yes, you are a very handsome lad..so, seeing as it's expected of me *glares at Schro*
here's some electronic love (no refunds accepted) :-* :@`
erm..P.S. What's the 'dancing banana?' ;D :XX
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Magma, here is the banana........ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@ !B@
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Glad to hear that LiveStrong! About two months ago, my son had his usual check-up at the Children's Hospital Pediatric Oncology Department. They gave us some great news as well! They are going to send his records to the "Survivors Clinic". Brought a tear to mine and my wife's eye.
But this is about you! Congratulations again, and I'll drink a beer or three in your honor this weekend.
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I'm real glad to hear the GREAT NEWS for you Livestrong. Keep up the great attitude.
Glad to hear your news, also, Pigpen. I know there is nothing worse that seeing your kids when they are hurting.
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Well yesterday I had my scans to make sure I am still healthy and they all came back good. So a big hurray for me, that was such a stressful day. I would do the dancing banana but i guess this forum doesn't have that :)
A huge congratulations LiveStrong. My sister just celebrated her 1 year anniversary as a survivor so I know what this means to you. Here's a couple of bananas for ya. !B@ !B@
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Haha sweet there are bananas afterall. Thanks guys. I typically dont get too worried about my scans but these ones were hard. I made it though. And now the warm weather is coming, a fun summer it will be. !B@
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Keep the faith bro!
I had a friend that had breast cancer that just about got her!
She went through chemo, radiation and bone marrow transplant!
And is in remission for over 5 years now!!
And my wife surviving brain tumor the size of a golf ball which paralyzed the left side of her face!!
No cancer! for the past 20 years
It's all about attitude and a desire to beat the disease!
Sounds to me like you are taking control! Good attitude and hope!
Thanks for the inspiration! God Bless!! form anouther Mike!
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;D ;D ;D Congratulations, LiveStrong! You put the holiday in this Memorial Day weekend for me. I do my bloodwork in July. Until it comes and then goes, I feel the same anxiety all of us who have battled cancer know so well. Ordinary arthritis scares me, as do lumps and discolorations. Your attitude is an inspiration to all of us. P.S., remember the sun-screen. Professor Melon
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Best wishes for continued health, Mike.
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O0 O0 O0 O0 Way to go man, God Bless you to stay strong and healthy
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here's some electronic love (no refunds accepted) :-* :@`
Oh yea how rude of me to ignore the electronic love. :) I think this is the proper smiley `dr**l `dr**l
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Well yesterday I had my scans to make sure I am still healthy and they all came back good. So a big hurray for me, that was such a stressful day. I would do the dancing banana but i guess this forum doesn't have that :)
:) Glad to hear the beyond great news for you...very happy for you! :)
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Great news!! Happy to hear it!! Stay healthy, and take care of yourself, and be happy!!
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Hey Guys,
I was just poking around this site reading about the FaceBlade (which i had never heard of) and i thought i would bump up this ancient thread.
I'm still livin, and still shavin! I couldn't imagine having hair, being shaved is the best look and i love it.
As for my battle with cancer, I did have a recurrence last year but it wasnt all bad news because it took 6 years for just a little spot to come back. I had a surgery in September and i have been doing great since then.
I'm gonna order up one of those FaceBlades now! I hope i like it because I'd love to be able to buy one style razor that fits my headblade and faceblade. My set up right now is headblade, and then i rotate between different cheap razors for my face.
If anyone wants to order me one of those S4 Eclipse headblades for me i would surely accept!
-Mike
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Welcome back Mike. Good to know you are doing well. Keep the faith.
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WB and PTL!!! O0
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You are inspiring Mike. Welcome.
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a very inspiring story just read it even though its 5 years old