Hi,
Im new
I have top- of- my -jeans -length naturally auburn 100% untreated thick wavy hair.  I am having so severe hair anxiety and hope there is a chat feature of this site.
Ill return here and post about it if I cant find a real time feature.

G

Angel spun BLESS YOU Im so glad some one is here.
I have cut my hair maybe three times in the last ten years.
I love my hair, its the most beautiful part of my physical being. Im not a make up gal or into clothes , but I cherish my hair.

Here is the problem;

I got through a scary bout with cancer this year. About 2 weeks abo a I got the latest biopsy result with no detectable abnormal cells Whoopeee!!

Im thrilled about it. I think I can safely admit this here but I was more freaked out about my hair falling out than I was of an untimley end. Insane? Berhaps.. but its true.
At a really low point I told my mom that if I got through this I would donate my hair.
Didnt seem like a big deal~ in the big picture. And I was pretty sure it would be falling out anyhow.

BUT it didnt

It got shiney and loveley.

Now I feel committed, and the appointment is made for the morning
.
The last time I cut it- ithe cut was  about 5 inches (braided into two braids) and I felt like a dog with a new haircut. I wanted to hide under the couch.

So my heart is already racing, and I read about LOL here and they sound like a scam organization, and Im already near tears.

Mom is thrilled, she doesnt get my hair attatchment- never has. Im typing and looking at my coiled up braid.
I cant go back on a 'God promise', but I cant cut it either.

Gees you would never know I was 35 from this anxiety attack.

Glad I found you. Ill post a hair pic tomorrow
Gretchen

Hi, Gretchen.  Welcome to longlocks.

In scary situations it is natural for us to make bargains.  When we feel powerless in a situation we want to take some action to make us feel better and making a bargain can do that in the moment.

LOL is not a reputable organization.  Think about the feelings you're having now about cutting off your hair.  You obviously identify a big part of your self image with your gorgeous, amazingly long, thick and wavy auburn hair.  It sounds to me that it would be more detrimental to your self esteem to cut your hair than to "go back" on something you said in a desperate hour.  God gave you that hair.  Do you think he'd (or she'd) want it to be thrown away or sold when your intention is to benefit someone in need?  Sounds like you need your hair.

You can't help it that your mom doesn't get it, the hair thing.  Most of us on this board don't get support from someone important in our lives.  It is your mom's problem if she disapproves.  Trust your self more, judge yourself less.

Whatever you decide to do, let it be your decision.  It really and truly doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.  Sure, there may be some friction if you make a choice that someone else doesn't like or understand.  This is your life and your happiness that matters.  In such situations, the other person may be unhappy with your choice because you didn't make the one they wanted you to make.  That is about them, not you.

Sure hope you post that picture soon.  I was born with dark auburn hair, but around age 2 it fell out and grew back in white blond.  I wish it had stayed auburn.  Mine is wavy and thick, too, but only about 21 inches long.

Welcome Gretchen!

Getting a clean bill of health is fantastic - congratulations!  The others here have already said what I would say - it is your hair, and your decision whether to cut or keep (I vote for keep).  LoL, as you have read, is not the best place to donate your hair if you did donate some of your hair. 

Maybe you could do some volunteer work or make a monetary donation to cancer research instead?  Believe me, either of those would do a lot more good than cutting your hair.

I wish you continued good health and hope you can get through this anxiety attack regarding your hair.  You've found a supportive group here to help you through this.  I too hope you hang around and share a picture of your hair - it sounds lovely.

Gretchen,

   Your hair sounds absolutely gorgeous!  Please don't cut it if you have reservations!  Locks of love is not a decent organization.  Please let your hair grow and we'll encourage you on this site daily.  I can tell you love your beautiful locks very much!  Can't wait to see that picture you have promised....

Jim

Oh Gretchen.... 

I feel for your loss of hair, but it will grow back.  Most people grow hair at about 1/2" per month.  You might want to measure your hair now, and again in a month to see what your growth rate is.

Go ahead and post your after picture - that might help us give you suggestions of how you can style your new length.  You will probably find you can do new styles that you couldn't do with your long length. 

Hang in there - we're here to help!

Hi,

I want to measure what I have left, but Im not sure where to start from. I usually went by where it hit my body~ like just past my breast or to belly button or top of my pants!
Do I put a ruler at the base of my neck and measure the legnth that way?
G

BTW, is it normal for it to look a lot darker because the oldest and most faded parts are gone? The picture looks soooooo dark.

I used a tape measure from my car. I think its 28 or so inches. I put it on the hairling and streched it over my head, then reached around and pinched when the hair ends.

I m having the hardest time with the thickness. Cutting it seems to have made it multiply in width.

I love this site.