LOCKS OF LOVE SON MAKES A WIG FOR HIS MOTHER
Melanie Shaha is currently fighting her third brain cancer battle. For 15 years, she’s been suffering from a benign tumor on her pituitary gland. Although she doesn’t mind being sick, going to her appointments, focusing on her treatment, and talking to loved ones about her cancer, she doesn’t like looking sick. If you didn’t know Shaha, you wouldn’t realize she was battling cancer. But this suddenly changed once she lost all of her hair. She had two surgeries, in 2003 and 2006, in hopes of removing the tumor on her pituitary
first, Matt joked about cutting all of his hair off to make his mother a wig. But the joke soon became a plan, and Matt followed through in 2018.
After graduating from college, Matt began growing his hair out. In no time, he had long and luscious hair. His mother tried to dissuade him from cutting it, but Matt wanted to help her feel confident and comfortable in her skin. So, he chopped it off and sent his locks to Compassionate Creations, a hair company in Newport Beach, California, that created a wig for his mother. Now, Shaha has a piece of her son to take everywhere with her beautiful new tresses. “The color is spectacular, and we had it cut and styled with a hairdresser. Matt said it looked great on me. It sure fills your emotional cup,” Shaha says.
gland, but they weren’t successful. Then, when she began radiation therapy in 2017, the treatment caused her hair to fall out. “Not having hair [makes] you stick out like a sore thumb, and well-meaning people can say things that break your heart,” Shaha told TODAY. She didn’t like all the attention and the looks people gave her in public. So, her 27-year-old son Matt had an idea. At
If you — or someone you know — would like to donate your hair to cancer patients, you can donate to Locks of Love, Wigs For Kids, Chai Lifeline, and Children With Hair Loss. Research donation centers in your area if you would like to give back locally.
HOW DO THEY COMPARE? Dentures vs. Implants
Gone are the days of dealing with missing teeth — dentures and implants combat the problem. They help you chew, improve your speech, and support your facial muscles. When teeth are missing and our gums are exposed, we are at risk for infections, gum disease, and even bone loss, but dentures and implants can help. What are the pros and cons of each, and which option is best for you? Among the oldest treatments for missing teeth are dentures, removable prosthetic teeth fitted to your mouth. Some dentures only replace a few missing teeth, while others may replace an entire upper or lower row. Sometimes, dentures will replace all of your teeth.
• Due to the loss of your jawbone, dentures may alter facial shape and structure. • Dentures can become loose.
As for dental implants, they are permanently fixed into your mouth with a metal prosthetic root implanted into your jawbone. The very top of the tooth is usually fitted with a crown, which resembles a tooth. Pros of Dental Implants: • Implants are made to last a lifetime and most closely resemble natural teeth. • Dental implants replace the root of the tooth, preventing jaw bone loss. • They are stable in your mouth and can be brushed and flossed, just like natural teeth.
Pros of Dentures: •
Beyond tooth extraction, no surgery is needed. Dentures are more cost-effective than implants.
Cons of Dental Implants: •
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• Metal plate dentures can easily adjust to changes in the structure of your mouth. • Flexible dentures do not need an adhesive paste and are both odor- and stain-resistant. Cons of Dentures: • They may need to be replaced down the road and can be broken. • They may cause mouth irritation.
Implants can loosen over time, known as implant failure. Surgery is required when implants are placed in your mouth.
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Dental implants are more costly than dentures.
Before deciding whether dentures or dental implants are right for you, consult with your experienced dental care provider — they are the pros and can guide you in the right direction, depending on your wants and needs!
2 • www.garryliday.com
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