The Stranger in the Mirror!

Facing what changed, honoring what remained,  and embracing what emerged!

To those of you who give your time, your care, and your heart to creating and donating wigs—please know this: you are giving far more than beauty. You are giving confidence. You are offering a sense of normalcy on some of the hardest days. And you are giving a woman the chance to look in the mirror, recognize herself again, and perhaps even smile.

Every woman’s journey is different. Some experience fewer side effects; others face far more. But the kindness you extend helps each of us find a little more courage along the way. It was through walking this path myself that Silent Triumphs® was born—a way to transform pain, resilience, and quiet victories into something that could uplift others. Thank you—not only for the wigs you give, but for the dignity, compassion, and love you wrap around every woman who wears one.

Thank you for allowing me to share a few moments with you today. As someone who has walked through both chemotherapy and hair loss, I wanted to offer a glimpse of what that experience can feel like—and why what you do matters more than you may ever realize.

No two people experience chemotherapy the same way. Some move through treatment with minimal side effects, while for others, it can feel like being caught in a wave that never stops coming.

For me, chemotherapy lasted nine long months. It was preceded by two back-to-back surgeries and followed by forty-five days of radiation. The anti-cancer drug was so potent that the medical team administering it wore protective hazmat gear. Only a small square of my arm was left exposed for the IV. I remember sitting there thinking—if it’s that toxic to touch, what is it doing inside my body?

Two weeks after my first treatment, my hair began to fall out. At first, it was just a few strands on my brush. Then it came out in clumps. Eventually, there was no point pretending otherwise. I asked my hairdresser to shave my head.

Do you know what it’s like to look in the mirror and see someone you don’t recognize? My dark brown, shoulder-length hair—gone. My eyebrows and eyelashes—gone. Because of the medication, my eyes watered constantly, and for the first time in thirty years, I couldn’t wear contact lenses. So there I stood—glasses, bare head, pale skin—staring back at someone who felt like a stranger.

And then, slowly, something shifted. I realized the woman in the mirror was me—the real me—stripped down to her willpower. Different, yes;-but also braver. Stronger. Today, I can say I am a 23-year Stage III breast cancer survivor, and that perspective has made every struggle along the way meaningful.

Chemotherapy doesn’t just change your appearance; it changes your relationship with yourself. You learn that beauty is not what you see—it is what you carry through the storm.

Everyone finds their own way through this journey. Some women find comfort and confidence in a beautiful wig—and what an extraordinary gift that is. Because those wigs are not just hair. They are hope. They are a quiet reminder that you are still you. For others, the path looks different.

During my chemotherapy, I continued working in convention sales, interacting with hundreds of people each day—attendees, colleagues, and members of the general public. Early on, I tried wearing wigs—truly beautiful ones—hoping they might help others feel more at ease around me. But they never felt like me.

So instead, I turned to silk scarves—endless rectangles of color and texture. I layered two or three at a time, braided the loose ends, and coordinated them with whatever suit I wore that day. Each one became part of my armor—soft, vibrant, and alive. I felt good again. They became my crown of courage, helping me meet each day with grace. I felt like me again.

At home, I wore a simple knitted beanie my mother made. My mom—she truly was the best mom anyone could ever ask for. That beanie kept me warm, yes, but more than that, it reminded me I was deeply loved, even in moments when I felt fragile.

No matter what we choose—wigs, scarves, hats, or nothing at all—what matters most is that each woman finds what allows her to lift her chin, take a breath, and step back into the world with courage.

With courage & grace - Triumph in every step!

Anna

Anna Brehm Anderson - Founder & President
Silent Triumphs®
This narrative is deeply personal and protected by copyright. Please do not reproduce or share without written permission.