- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
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Living with cancer blog
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Feb. 2, 2010
Alternative artwork inspires cancer survivor
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
When Kathleen Hodges was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, she had a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. After losing her hair, Kathleen decided to opt for a "cooler" option than a traditional head covering. She shares her story below:
Many people ask why I chose "head art" versus a traditional head covering. The easiest explanation is that I live in Arizona. During the summer, temperatures easily reach 115. Wigs, hats or other coverings are just too hot! My daughter made the suggestion of "head art" and volunteered her talented husband, Austin Grant, for the work.
He used Crayola washable markers because they apply smoothly and are non-toxic. Each design took him one to two hours and lasted about a week. It was sad to wash off each creation, but we took photos. Another reason I chose this option was that I did not want to feel — or look — like a victim. The bright colors, beautiful artwork and the uniqueness of the drawings made me and many others happy.
The first day when I had a flower on my head I was in Costco and was approached by a woman who told me that I had not only made her day, but gave her strength to make the decision to receive treatment for her illness.
The final design
An elderly man inquired about my status and when I told him that I had an excellent prognosis, he hugged me and told me the story of his wife's unsuccessful battle 20 years earlier. He then shared that I brought back all of the good memories and his wife would have loved the idea.
Once when I went in for treatment, the nurse introduced me to a patient receiving her first treatment and her husband. As we talked, she shared that her greatest fear was losing her hair, but she felt more confident after speaking with me and seeing my head.
One gentleman walked directly into a wall, laughed and waved.
I told a very bald man that only the best of heads can go bare!
Everyone loved the artwork and the best thing was that I never got the pity looks. I received compliments and innumerable smiles, but no one felt sorry for me. I could be dealing with the side effects of chemo but the flowers always made me feel better. I was never, "Poor Kathy with cancer." I was always me — a little different, maybe a bit eccentric, but happy.
What have you done that might have brought happiness to others during your cancer journey? Please share.
8 comments posted
July 13, 2012 1:21 p.m.
Yah, love the story :) I had a mastectomy in Nov 2010. When I told my daughter about it, pretty much the first thing she said was: "I'll make you a hat when your hair falls out from chemo." My immediate reaction was: Huh? 20 years in California has affected you girl. (I'm in Chicago.) Turns out it was the best thing she could have said. Bonus - I found out she knits and crochets. It is something I like to do - but neither daughter (2) showed an interest in it when they were younger. I only remember teaching a girl that used to babysit them. But my daughter uses the "Continental" way of holding the thread - got to have been me teaching her.:) She made me 2 hats and was working on a "Chicago Winter hat" - double thickness cable knit. When she emailed a picture of "done" I looked down and there where 4 hairs on the keyboard. What else can you do but laugh. Next I realized - Iknow how to do this - duh. I made 5 hats myself. Second daughter sews and made me 2 hats. She also found websites for making breastforms - knit or crochet. Wild colors - exagerated nippels and hilarious names for the websites. Knitted Knockers, Happy Hookers and funny stories about experiences with airplanes and police men. My hair is back now - I miss the hats. Anybody looking for hat designs "knotsoflove.org" is a group that makes hats for cancer patients and has detailed designs. For me the journey was a trip made easier by sharing laughs. Marie
- Marie
July 13, 2010 12:44 a.m.
I LOVE IT! YOU ARE MY HERO----GRAND IDEA.
- MURPH
February 14, 2010 7:52 p.m.
I am just in the process of losing my hair for the 2nd time as the breast cancer has metastasized to my liver. When I was bald the last time I would wear a colorful scarf, a cap with a scarf tied around it or hat with scarf. I did not like the feel of the wig. I always received positive comments and people seemed to enjoy the variety and color. I plan to do the same this time all though it is a colder time of the year and I may find that the wig is more comfortable because of that. Whatever, I agree it is good to make light of this nasty side effect and not be the "poor Me' as people get tired of that real fast.
- Judy
February 6, 2010 12:04 p.m.
After unilateral mastectomy i receiced six doses of chemotherapy.My hair fell of immediately after the first dose.I used wigs for close to four months during tratment.My partner commented that he was lucky to see my bald head for the first time!My hair has grown back-more stronger and better than before.Hey,great!
- Salome
February 5, 2010 2:37 p.m.
A girlfriend brought me 3 wigs from China. One was a neon hot pink, one was brilliant canary yellow, and the third was electic red! I wore them a lot with wonderful reactions. I wore the pink one the most, even to my husband's Christmas work party. Like you, I did not want people feeling sorry for me or uncomfortable so I made it fun. Losing one's hair is really hard. I have finished my chemo and radiation. My silver locks are coming back. Yay! Moving forward.
- Sandy
February 5, 2010 7:10 a.m.
well its really artistic and joyful what you are doing. From our part we are a group of volunteers who formed an NGO entitled Toufoula (AD, 116 Beirut, Lebanon) we asked international designers/architects to give us room designs which we implemented in hospital rooms in beirut where by kids receive therapy in namely Hotel dieu de France, Makassed Hospital, Rafik Harriri Governmentak Hospital and Al-Zahraa Hospital. We would like to invite you to see much of the Dream Room Project on facebook through joining Toufoula group or through our website www.toufoula.org God bless
- Amal
February 4, 2010 8:30 p.m.
Other volunteers and I have helped my friend Sherri Sosslau with her "Hair Flair for Hope" project ... making yarn wigs for children and women battling cancer and other health issues. We were featured in the Washington Post recently at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/
article/2009/12/30/AR2009123000998.html. The wigs made so far have been donated to the Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC. More workshops will be held. See Sherri's Facebook page for this project at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hair-Flair-for- Hope/176391009614 - Marlene
February 4, 2010 7:28 p.m.
wonderful story. great painting. attitude -- you get a ten. i'm still testing free, about three years now. keep the faith.
- peggy
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