Me with my full hair… a couple of years ago.

After 10 days since the discovery of the Alopecia Areata, and after being in a truly emotional roller coaster trying to cope with the condition and at the same time keep my anxiety controlled I decided to see a dermatologist.

So far, I have gotten opinions from my brother (the neurologist) and by my friend Carlos (the psychiatrist), but on Tuesday March the 17^th I went to the hospital where most of the ex pats go in Havana, it is called Clinica General Cira Garcia. I was there helping a friend who is not fluent in Spanish and needed some translation with her doctor.

After her appointment I asked her physician, Dr. Teresa, if she could recommend a dermatologist for me. “What is your problem,” she asked, “I have Alopecia Areata,” I responded. She stood up from her desk and without even asking permission she started examining my head. “Don’t worry. This is more common than you think,” she said and then she added the same thing I heard so far: it is stress related, stop thinking about it and your hair will eventually grow back.

She gave me the name of Dr. Silvia Garcia. She is my new dermatologist. Two days after I had the first appointment with her.