For A Change
People who knew him might have thought that he was getting loopy. Since he had never expressed an interest in that look before, no one who knew him would have expected to see it on his face.
For A Change
For weeks, months, and even years on end, he stayed true to his convictions. Some who knew him were impressed by his unwavering commitment to excellence; others burned with curiosity about the nature of such dedication. Two years after he started, it was finally time for an explanation.
A Kid With Admirable Values
Everyone who had ever met Matt Shaha spoke glowingly of him. Furthermore, he was a kind and respectful young man who had always been generous to people. He was a good kid who tried to make the world a better place.
A Kid With Admirable Values
Matt and his family lived in Idaho but finally moved to Arizona. During his childhood, he was close to his family and almost always had a smile on his face. However, tragedy loomed on the horizon.
His Beloved Mom
It was in 2003 that his mother, Melanie Shaha, first learned she had a pituitary tumor. It was a time of distress for the family, especially Matt, who had always been closest to her. But he was a strong boy and did what he could to help her.
His Beloved Mom
It did not take long for Matt and his family to be faced with a difficult choice. His mom had to make a decision that would change her life forever. Despite the dangers, Melanie had a surgical procedure performed on her.
Normal Life Once Again
After the operation, Melanie’s doctor informed her that they had successfully removed the tumor. The family returned to normal life, although they were relieved that the crisis had passed. Everyone was happy to have Melanie back on her feet, and Matt was glad that he could spend time with his mom again.
Normal Life Once Again
However, their joy and relief were short-lived. Unfortunately, Melanie’s tumor returned in 2006. This time it was more aggressive than before. The tumor had grown back and was even more difficult to remove.
The Second Strike
Doctors say that the tumor was about the measurements of a plum. It was a difficult moment for the family, as they had hoped that once and for all their ordeal would be over. Instead, they had to face the fact that Melanie’s cancer was back.
The Second Strike
The pituitary gland is a tiny organ located near the base of the skull, whose secretions control many important body functions. Problems with it could cause many health issues, such as abnormal metabolism and infertility.
New Setbacks Arise
The resurgence of the tumor presented a new set of challenges. Again, the family had to hope for the best as doctors tried removing it.
New Setbacks Arise
Matt Shaha was faced with the same situation that he had encountered earlier: waiting for his mother to have surgery again. The waiting part is the most difficult part for any patient, but especially for a child. Doctors were hopeful that the procedure would be successful, but they were aware of the risks involved.
The Aftermath
Melani was fortunate enough to have the tumor removed. Once her health improved, the family was able to settle down and focus on other things. Melani was able to enjoy life with her family and friends once again. She was also able to live a normal life, without having to worry about being sick.
The Aftermath
For many years, Melanie progressed smoothly through life. Matt was becoming a fine young man, but his family’s troubles were far from over. Apparently, cancer really won’t leave Melanie alone.
The Third Strike
For eleven years, Melanie and her family believed they had overcome the tumor. In 2017, the cancer returned. But this time doctors found it more difficult to treat; they were unable to operate on her.
The Third Strike
Melanie had radiation treatment in hopes that this would shrink her tumor. That was particularly hard on her and the family, particularly Matt. Melanie’s family was devastated by this news. They had to be strong for her and try not to let it get them down.
Matt’s Coping Mechanism
Like everyone else, he thought she would be cured after the successful removal of two tumors. It was very difficult for Matt to watch his mother suffer through the third tumor. He began growing his hair as a result.
Matts Coping Mechanism
His decision to grow his hair out seemed strange and rebellious when viewed by those around him, as though he—inspired by famous YouTube stars with long hair—had picked it up. This was not the case, however.
A Change In Matt’s Hair
No one could understand why Matt would suddenly start wearing his hair long, because he had always kept it short. Over the next several months, he continued to refuse getting a haircut.
A Change In Matts Hair
He suffered through a lot of good-natured teasing because he let his hair grow so long. But no one could understand why Matt wanted to keep growing his hair. He had never worn it long before, and he kept refusing to explain why he wanted to keep it this way.
When Matt Won’t Chop Off His Hair
When a year and then two passed, some of Matt’s closest friends were surprised that he had continued to love his long hair. They wondered if he would ever get a haircut, and some of them wondered if it might be time to talk him into cutting his hair.
When Matt Wont Chop Off His Hair
Although he supported his mother throughout her cancer treatment, Matt became preoccupied with the state of his hair. After two and a half years, its growth had accelerated. Having reached a good length, he was ready to show everyone the reason for his efforts.
Anything For His Mom
With her third pituitary tumor, Melanie Shaha had to endure hours of radiation therapy. One drawback of this therapy was that it caused horrible side effects.
Anything For His Mom
Matt was upset by seeing the side effects of her treatment—namely, that it caused his mom’s hair to fall out. He was such an amazing young man that he grew his own hair for two and a half years so that he could turn it into a wig for his mother to wear after hers fell out due to radiation treatments.
Selfless And Humble Gesture
Matt’s incredible gift of a wig for his mother, who had been inclined to go bald during her radiation treatment, helped restore some of the woman’s lost dignity and sense of confidence. The wig would be a huge boost for her self-esteem and will have helped her feel like herself again.
Selfless And Humble Gesture
Matt’s devotion to his mother was clear: he sacrificed two years of haircuts, and made sure the new style was just perfect. So how did he manage doing it?
How The Process Went
After deciding how long he wanted his hair to be, Matt went to a salon where the stylist knew exactly what was needed to achieve that look. The hair from his head was carefully cut and collected in the right way.
How The Process Went
The process was far from over, however. Upon receiving the hair donations, Matt then sent them to Compassionate Creations in California—a company that specialized in such wigs for cancer patients like his beloved mom.
Giving Her Mom A Gift Back
Matt spent $2000 to have a wig made especially for Melanie. She was then full of gratitude for her son’s generosity. According to Today, Melanie commented that the color of her hair was spectacular and had been cut and styled perfectly by a hairstylist.
Giving Her Mom A Gift Back
Despite the many accolades heaped on him for his extraordinary act, Matt did not let it go to his head. Talking to KSAZ, he said it was a “no-brainer” because she had given him the hair initially.