I’ve had AU for just over 6 years. At first I was really devastated. It all happened in stages—first a patch, then all of the hair, then the eyebrows, lashes and my nails too. All of that took only a matter of weeks. I was pretty freaked out but my way of coping was to just buy a wig and pretend that nothing happened.

Eventually, that wore thin and I finally let myself be upset about what had happened. It was so clear that doctors had NO idea what might possibly work. They were just going through a recipe book of things that have had some success in the past. So, I finally decided to make up my own regime.

I decided that I had to take better care of myself. I started eating healthier meals and exercising. I’m now in better shape than I was before. I started experimenting with wigs and hats too. And sunglasses.

I also had an honest friend who told me that most of the things that I noticed-like when my nails had fallen off-most people didn’t really notice. And she was right.

All of this has made me a better person—more sensitive to others who might be suffering from some sickness that people can’t immediately see and also more sensitive to myself and the importance of not just doing stuff for other people, but also looking after myself. I’ve also had friends who have come down with seriously debilitating illnesses since getting AU. As illnesses go, it’s not that bad! I am very healthy. I just don’t have hair.