This year I photographed the Sisters from the Missionaries of Charity
at the Pune Railway Station. They cover their heads, unlike PV who chose to bare her head. Wearing wigs, scarves is a personal choice. When my husband and I went to visit with the family, we sat in their pretty garden. It was a practical solution for keeping germs at bay. PV's immune system was vulnerable and needed all the protection. PV came out to meet us in the garden. This was the first time we saw her new face. Chemotherapy had taken the hair away but not PV's spirit showcased in her black mini and a glint in the eye, accepting all that was around her. I think it takes courage to show yourself just as you are to the public at large. People are cruel here some times. They giggle, twitter, pass remarks and fail to see that they are making fun of a person with cancer whose healthy cells have been destroyed by chemotherapy. How can such people be educated about cancer? Some times, I think they are nervous and don't know what to do or say to a woman who does not have hair like them. PV's brother and another male friend shaved their heads to keep PV company. I think women would find this difficult to do-so I fail to understand why they are the ones who giggle the most at the sight of a bald woman.

A few months before I was diagnosed, I was going to get a haircut and was joking around about getting my head shaved completely. I remember one person in particular being absolutely aghast at the idea of me voluntarily cutting off my long hair. When I knew I might lose my hair after the first round of chemo, I didn't think it would bother me that much. But when the first clumps of hair started to come off in my hands, I curled up in bed and had a good long cry.
After that, it was so much easier to look at the positives. For instance - I had a really nice round head. No ugly bumps, no weird ridges and no unsightly birthmarks that were earlier hidden. Even strangers have commented on what a perfectly round head I have!!

As much as it hurt to lose my hair, it never occured to me to wear a scarf or a wig (except once as a joke to scare the nurses in the hospital - and it worked like a charm!!!). I think the starkness of it bothered other people more than it ever bothered me. One neighbour even demanded of my mother as to why I wasn't wearing 'at least a scarf to cover myself'. And the simple answer is - because I don't want to. And besides, if I did, I would be depriving myself of all those compliments about my perfect scalp!