What started as a joke turned into possibly one of the best gifts a mother could ever receive from her son.
An Arizona man spent nearly three years growing out his hair so he could donate it to his mother, who lost hers after radiation treatment.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Matt Shaha said. “She gave me the hair in the first place.”
For years, Melanie Shaha dealt with a benign brain tumor.
“I have had a recurrent benign brain tumor, a pituitary tumor, and I’ve had surgery twice in 2003 and in 2006,” she said.
After two successful surgeries, the tumor returned in 2017, and Melanie needed radiation treatment.
“I asked (my doctor), ‘Will I lose my hair?’ and they said ‘No.’”
But three months later, she lost her hair.
“Not having hair, you stick out like a sore thumb, and well-meaning people can say things that break your heart,” Melanie 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.”
Shortly after Melanie began losing her hair, her 27-year-old son jokingly said he would grow his hair out and make a wig for her.
While it was a generous offer, Melanie didn’t want to place that burden on her son.
But Matt didn’t see it that way. He spent the next two and a half years growing out his hair. When his hair reached the right length, he and some coworkers went to his mom’s house and chopped it off.
“We were super pumped and when they started cutting, we bawled,” Melanie said.
Matt even paid the $2,000 for the wig to be made. They found a wigmaker who hand-stitched the hair, resulting in a lighter and more comfortable wig. Once the wig was delivered to Melanie, she had it cut and styled.
“Seeing her in it, it’s the first time I had seen my mom look like that since she lost it, so it’s been about four years,” Matt said.
Melanie, who loved her new look, admitted it’ll be hard to top her son’s gift. “It sure fills your emotional cup.”
Look at the joy on Melanie’s face! Even Matt is beaming with happiness. This is such a beautiful moment for them and their family.
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