Bald head dread!
Well, you might be wondering what is up with the title? Well, I naw tell nuh lie….over the weekend, the doctor on call (who was not I an I for a change) had a dread referred to our service. Man has what appears to be an autoimmune blistering condition of the skin called Pemphigus foliaceus. Now, this type of thing does affect the scalp also. Friday evening last week, while sipping on some choice spirit, my cell rang….it was my colleague who was admitting the man. She explained the case to me and I gave her a few pointers, saying that she sounded like she was on the right track regarding her diagnosis and management plan.
She then goes on to say that there is a slight problem as she really cannot make an appraisal of how bad the scalp is involved because of the heaviness of the dread’s locks. So I said to her, leave it for now, but if things get iffy, we may have to discuss cutting them as it will be most difficult for us to get any topical treatment on his scalp.
Lo and behold, Monday morning on the ward round I saw what she meant. The locks were well matted and ‘weighty’! They were about a yard long. Anyway, as we were about to leave his bed he told us that he had made a decision, “I am going to cut my locks off Docs!” 
We were pretty much in shock by such news. “Four of my bredrins are coming to assist me with the job!” And indeed, the trim was done. Man said it took him twenty years to grow his adornment…..when we saw the state of the underlying scalp, we were happy about his decision…..things did not look good. Anyway, we have started treating him pretty aggressively and he is looking much better already. So, we have created a bald head dread…..but somehow he doesn’t seem to mind…..”It can grow back” was his remark. “If it mean that mi locks have to go for mi health….den a jus so!” 
So what else a gwaan? Well, the season is upon us, and what I refer to as the ‘gridlock’ is in full swing. The plazas are crazy. But, I laughing a hearty “Ho Ho Ho” like Santa…cause me done! Anyway, I going get ready for work, today being a rather important day as my bank account is supposed to be blessed with that thing called salary this morning. Tomorrow, I and I shall be loafing as I have applied for a day of Departmental leave! I been invited to a session tonite, so I shall be rising later than usual tomorrow. Ham going bake tomorrow evening and ting. To all those who may pass through here, Merry Christmas and may God grant you all the best of health, wealth and prosperity in 2007. The blogging interaction has been wonderful…I just wish I had more time and energy for it. Peace.
December 21st, 2006 at 3:27 pm Make a great one this Holiday season! Wishing U: “a taste a heaven in 07, see U then!” bK bAbE!
December 21st, 2006 at 6:42 pm Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year, Doc! Enjoy yu session an’ yu day off! (U gave that dread a nice gift — couldn’t figure how they washed properly wid locks matted like that.)
December 21st, 2006 at 6:48 pm A dread wid sense what can we say…Next time he would know tuh grow managable and much healthier locks… Speard some a de cash flow nuh
December 21st, 2006 at 7:00 pm Thans for the wishes, Doc. Same to you and all who read here. Anyway, gots ta run! Going to shop till ah drop!
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:42 am Doc: Have a wonderful Christmas and all that is good for the New Year. Same to all who visit this space. I love the Dread’s sense of practicality. Good for him! Does wearing those heavy, matted type of locks tend to cause scalp problems? I realize that if his condition is caused by an autoimmune illness it probably wouldn’t make a difference; but, generally speaking, does it? NY is alive with Christmas, but I’ve done 99% of my gift shopping right here at my computer. None of the jostling and aggravation of year’s gone by. The computer! What a blessing!! Right after Christmas we’ll go into Manhattan, catch a show and enjoy the Christmas decorations before they’re removed. Although places like Denver is buried under snow, NY City hasn’t seen a flake yet. Must be global warming, but I’m not complaining. So sad to hear of the passing of Neville Willoughby. I remember his beautiful voice. May his soul rest in peace.
December 22nd, 2006 at 5:24 pm Happy and safe holidays to you Doc. ‘Ta.
December 22nd, 2006 at 6:25 pm That is quite remarkable since some of the rastas behave so ingnorantly and irrationally sometimes. He made a “conscious” decision and I’m happy for that. On the yuletide season, wishing you all the best for the season and the coming year.
December 23rd, 2006 at 7:34 am Merry christmas to you and yours.Have a blessed one and all thew best for 07. That’s one practical dread.Hopefully,he don’t get nuff chat from his breddren
December 23rd, 2006 at 9:04 am In reply to Pauline….the skin disorder he has is not worsened by the having of such matted locks….it is just that the presence of the locks makes it very dificult for us to be able to get treatment on to his scalp. The condition of the scalp could be just as bad in someone with short hair….its just that we would be more easily able to see and treat the scalp in someone whose hair is shorter. Thank you very much for the Christmas greeting. Much as you don’t have blog, I have enjoyed your comments all year and look forward to them. Thanks Afro. And yes CD, this dread did make a conscious decision.
December 24th, 2006 at 4:31 am Merry Christmas Doc, and mind Jah lick you for making rasta break the nazarite vow, but as MH sings, you dont have to be dread to be rasta.
December 24th, 2006 at 9:19 am Aye Dr..hav a velly melly…very merry christmas. dem nearly bun down de XM rum factory las monday. rasstofari!
December 24th, 2006 at 9:31 am Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Doc. All the best. Wish I was down there hanging with you and the rest of my bredrin dem.
December 25th, 2006 at 6:08 pm This is a really good blog. Please visit mine. Thanks.
December 25th, 2006 at 11:42 pm Merry Christmas Doc! I don’t make it by very often these days but I’m thinkin of ya!
December 26th, 2006 at 5:21 pm What a sensible rastaman! I must admit though that while reading, I was thinking “Eow, see why I couldn’t be any kind of doctor!” Thank God for all you medicine men! Take care of yuself Doc. Merry xmas, been busy soaking up the love and food in the Florida area. I just spoke with Santa (good friend of me mom) and I think there’s a car on the way. You should be getting same in early 2007. We were trying to arrange it so xmas morning you’d have seen it parked up, but apparently nuff people asked Santa for cars, and the line staff at the car manufacturer refuse to work overtime to fill demand until dem get bonus. Santa intervened, everything sort out now but that’s why it late.
December 26th, 2006 at 7:32 pm it seems your patient really took to taking his locks off really well. that is good. i think i would have been a little hesitant and sad to have parted with twenty years of growth. best wishes in 2007 dr d.
December 26th, 2006 at 10:19 pm Wow… I can’t imaging having 20 years of hair growth, never mind the removal of it! Merry Christmas, Doc.