When a sick mother lost her hair due to a benign brain tumor, her son decided to grow out his own hair and cut it to make a wig for her.
Gilbert, Arizona native Melanie Shaha started having dull headaches in 2003, which doctors later concluded were symptoms of a benign brain tumor of her pituitary gland. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the tiny gland located at the brain base regulates stress, metabolism, and growth hormones.
The tumor found on Melanie was the size of a plum, and it affected the functioning of her pituitary gland. The mom of six said that she had surgery to remove the tumor and had a great outcome.
The brain tumor is a tough nut to crack for Melanie
Unfortunately for Melanie, the tumor returned, which required a second surgery to remove it in 2006. But the operation failed to solve the problem entirely as it was followed again by a third reoccurrence in 2017. This time around, doctors prescribed radiation for treatment.
Melanie recalled asking the doctors if she would lose her hair with the radiation, and they said no. That proved not true as she had a big shed and started losing hair three months later, leaving the mom surprised and shocked. The National Cancer Institute said radiation could cause hair loss in the treated areas.
Melanie told Today not having hair makes her stick out like a sore thumb, and well-meaning people can say things that break her heart. She noted that she does not mind being sick but minds looking sick, saying she'd rather blend in and not stand out at the store.
Matt offers to grow out his hair for mom Melanie's wig
Given Melanie's concern about losing her hair, her 27-year-old son Matt made a joke over a family lunch in 2018. He told his mom that he would grow out his hair to make a wig for her. Having just graduated from a university with a dress code that limited his hair length, Matt was enjoying the freedom of growing his hair out, but something clicked the moment he made that proposal.
Matt had grown 12 inches of hair by March 21, already a sufficient length for a wig. He and a few of his coworkers went to his mother's home, where they chopped all of his hair off. Melanie said they were super pumped, and they all bawled when they started cutting the hair.
Matt's hair was sent to a Newport Beach, California-based company called Compassionate Creations, which delivered a hand-tied wig in June to Melanie.
Co-founder Veronica Balch said the family was such a joy to work with, and when someone selflessly shaves their head for a family member, it makes what they do even more special.
Melanie admitted that Matt's gift would be hard to top, saying it sure filled her emotional cup.
