Devoted son grows out hair for mum going through chemo
An Arizona woman battling with brain cancer lost her hair while undergoing radiation treatment and her son has gone the extra mile to help.
Speaking with Today in 2022, Melanie Shaha, 61-year-old mother of six, said that doctors discovered a benign brain tumour in her pituitary gland in 2003.
Ms Shaha had surgery to remove the tumour, which grew to be the size of a plum, according to Today, but she underwent a second procedure when it returned.
In 2017, Ms Shaha’s tumour returned once more and she was prescribed radiation treatment.
"Not having hair, you stick out like a sore thumb and well-meaning people can say things that break your heart," she told Today.
"I don't mind being sick but I mind looking sick. I'd rather blend in and not stand out at the store."
Today revealed that back in 2018, Ms Shaha’s 28-year-old son Matt made a joke that sparked an idea during a family lunch.
"I said, 'Why don't I grow out my hair to make a wig for you?’” Matt told the outlet.
Although Ms Shaha was hesitant to take her son up on his offer, he persisted and grew 12 inches of hair by March 2022. KSAZ, a local news station in Phoenix Arizona reported that Matt grew his hair out for two and a half years.
Matt chopped off his long locks with the help of his coworkers, according to Today.
"We were super pumped and when they started cutting, we bawled," Ms Shaha told the outlet.
They then shipped the hair to Compassionate Creations in Newport Beach, California where it was constructed into a hand-stitched wig. KSAZ reported that the wig cost $2,000.
"The colour is spectacular and we had it cut and styled with a hairdresser," Ms Shaha told Today. ”Matt said it looks great on me.”
"It's a no-brainer," Matt told KSAZ. "She gave me the hair in the first place."
Image credit: Instagram