The beauty and natural hair world was rocked as news of natural hair and beauty blogger Tameka “Meechy Monroe” Moore’s death surfaced today. She was only 32-years-old.
Monroe’s natural and gloriously curly hair was also her identity and her livelihood. A popular beauty blogger whose YouTube videos have gotten nearly three million views, Monroe has gained a devoted following among African-American women, whom she encourages to celebrate their natural hair.
Being one of four sister in a close-knit Chicago family, Monroe chemically straightened her hair in her teens and early 20s. But after being tired of bad haircuts and chemically damaged hair, in 2009, she cut it off, grew an Afro and began experimenting with new styles.
It was those experimentations that she filmed on youtube and found herself answering questions, gaining fans and helping others with their journey as well. Her and her sister, Ms. Vaughn, were known in the blogging community as The Monroe Sisters.
Back in 2014, the natural hair world was…
… shook by the news of Meechy suffering from a life-threatening brain tumor, a rare sarcoma (vascular cancerous tumor). This type of tumor caused her to suffer from multiple mild strokes, which forced her to endure certain challenges physically and with her speech. On April 15, 2014 Meechy found herself having an unexplained stroke, where she experienced numbness in her right hand, slurred speech and facial drooping. This was the first of 3 strokes and 2 brain surgeries.
She was also diagnosed with Aphasia, a disturbance in the formulation and comprehension of language, due to damage to brain tissue areas responsible for language. And as if that weren’t enough, rather than lose her hair, she opted to have her hair shaved and donated to Locks of Love, a not-for-profit organization which focuses on Cancer patients coping with hair loss.
On July 3, 2014 Meechy had to have her second brain surgery. In an open letter to her fans, Meechy shared that she was “making drastic improvements, with the help of physical, occupational and speech therapy”. Though she had to face her next phase of treatment (radiation and chemo therapy).
To deal with all of this was enough to make someone bitter and angry, but through it all Meechy’s!–nextpage–> true beauty shinned through and her faith was stronger than ever. Our hearts were touched by her bravery and transparency. Her strength has inspired and encouraged so many of us.
After losing her hair and feeling ill much of the time, she didn’t sink into sorrow, but simply said, “I lost all my hair, I had the worst year of my life, but you know what? I’m still the same person, still the same soul,” she says. “I’ve learned not to take my health for granted and to live in the moment. I’m grateful for every second of living on this earth.”
After her initial cancer diagnosis, Monroe transformed her blog from a discussion of the latest hairstyles and beauty tips to talking about her cancer and her journey back to health.
“Knowing there are other women out there facing cancer like I am,” Monroe says, “I want to do everything…
… I can to let them know they’re not alone.”
Although many growths in the brain are popularly called brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancerous. A tumor is simply a mass of cells. A benign tumor is composed of cells which are not cancerous. A malignant tumor is comprised of cancer cells. Cancer is a term reserved for malignant tumors like the one Meechy had. Malignant tumors are composed of aggressively growing, abnormal-appearing cells referred to as cancer cells.
Malignant tumors grow and spread aggressively, invading and spreading into areas of healthy tissue, and then overpowering them by taking their space, blood, and nutrients. Like all cells of the body, tumor cells need blood and nutrients to survive.
This is especially a problem in the brain, as the expanding mass caused by added growth within the closed confines of the skull can lead to an increase in pressure within the space inside the skull (intracranial pressure) or the distortion of areas of the brain, causing them to fail to work properly.
Both malignant and benign brain tumors can cause the problem of increased intracranial pressure and its consequences. Malignant brain tumors usually cause such problems more aggressively and quickly than do benign brain tumors. Almost all tumors that begin in the brain do not spread to other parts of the body.
Monroe was always one to encourage others and it showed when she was asked what’s the best advice she could give to her fans, . “Realize what was given to you and work it to your advantage. OWN IT! Learn your hair…listen to your hair…and love your hair. Once you are more in tune with your individual strands be patient and willing to alter your hair care techniques/styles as you hair grows and thickens.”
Rest well, Meechy. You will be missed.
READ: NATURAL HAIR BLOGGER DONATES HAIR BEFORE CANCER TREATMENT
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