A Mother Lost Her Hair Battling A Brain Tumor, Her Son Grew His Hair Out To Make Her A Wig

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2022

Melanie Shaha of Arizona lost her hair after undergoing radiation treatment for a brain tumor.
Her son Matt grew his hair for two and a half years, then paid $2,000 to have a wig made for his mother.
Melanie said Matt’s gift will be hard to top, “It sure fills your emotional cup.”

Melanie Shaha lost her hair in 2018 after undergoing radiation treatment following the third reoccurrence of a benign tumor on her pituitary gland, according to Today.

“Not having hair, you stick out like a sore thumb and well-meaning people can say things that break your heart,” she said. “I don’t mind being sick but I mind looking sick. I’d rather blend in and not stand out at the store.”

While having lunch together one day that year, her son made what started off as a joking suggestion. “I said, ‘Why don’t I grow out my hair to make a wig for you?’” Matt, 27, told Today.

For the next two and a half years, Matt grew out his hair. His locks were closest to his mom’s in terms of color and texture.

Then, when his hair was 12 inches long, it was time to cut it all off, according to Today.

“We were super-pumped and when they started cutting, we bawled,” recalled Melanie.

Matt also paid $2,000 for a California wig-maker Compassionate Creations to make the hand-stitched hairpiece.

“Had to share these candid shots of our client Melanie rocking her custom-built wig!” the company wrote on social media earlier this month. “We had the perfect blond supplemental hair in stock to pair with their submissions and couldn’t be happier with the results! ⁣”

For Melanie, her new hair is a happy outcome.

“You know, I’ve lost my eyebrows, lost my eyelashes, I lost my hair, so it’s just been such a tremendous gift to be able to have a more normal appearance, to go places and not stand out because you look unusual, but to fit in and be beautiful,” Melanie said. “It’s really great.”