A woman who recently completed chemotherapy was nearly brought to tears when a server unexpectedly complimented her hair—marking a powerful moment in her post-cancer journey.
Alanna Vizzoni (@alannavizzoni), 29, from Hoboken, New Jersey, was diagnosed in March 2023 with Stage 2a Hormone Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—a common type of breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts and can spread to surrounding breast tissue. Stage 2a generally means the cancer is either between 2 and 5 centimeters in size or has spread to a few nearby lymph nodes, but not extensively.
“My hair was my favorite feature, and to lose it while I was already knocked down and fighting for my life was the biggest heartbreak I’ve ever experienced,” Vizzoni told Newsweek.
Vizzoni’s diagnosis came after her fiancé discovered a blueberry-sized lump in her left breast. Though the cancer was not considered aggressive, her doctors recommended a rigorous treatment plan. This included a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, egg preservation, a double mastectomy with reconstruction, 25 rounds of radiation, and long-term hormone suppressant medication.
She recently shared a video detailing an emotional experience while dining out, when a waitress unknowingly complimented her regrown hair. The moment was especially meaningful—Vizzoni had only just started leaving the house without a wig or head covering. Her video resonated widely, garnering 615,200 views and 161,600 likes.
“The crazy part is that it was the day before the year anniversary of my first round of chemo, so it really felt like a full circle moment where everything really is up from here. Every month it will start to look better and better and more me again. I actually do love it and would keep it this short forever, but I’m getting married next summer and need some more length,” she added.
Vizzoni said that learning she would need chemotherapy was even more devastating than the initial cancer diagnosis. Throughout treatment, her fiancé Mike and her mom were by her side at every appointment, offering vital support.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life but I always tried to plan things with friends and family during my off week to have something to look forward to and feel some sense of normalcy,” she said.
In the video, Vizzoni explained that she felt like crying after the waitress complimented her haircut, unaware it was all regrowth since chemotherapy. Her shiny chocolate bob was styled into a half-up, half-down updo.
She expects it will take four years for her hair to return to its original length and texture. During treatment, Vizzoni often felt detached from her sense of femininity and alienated from the beauty-focused conversations she saw online.
“Seeing girls my age on TikTok crying because they got bad highlights, while I was sitting there with no hair was so isolating. But, losing my hair in a weird way made me more confident than I have ever been in my entire life. I got comfortable with myself on a fundamental level, and now everything feels additive. Like a bonus to my beauty. My eyelashes are another layer of beauty, my eyebrows are another layer, my hair,” she shared.
The diagnosis itself came as a shock. Vizzoni had been getting ready for a night out with friends when she received the phone call that changed her life.
“Suddenly my life was flipped upside down. I felt like a dark fog came over me. Once I met with my medical team and learned more about how far medicine has come and made a plan, I became less frightened and more determined to start treatment and get this behind me as quickly as possible. I wouldn’t have been able to to get through it without my amazing support system of my fiancé, family, and friends,” she said.
One of the most profound moments came when she rang the hospital’s cancer bell—signifying the end of treatment and no evidence of disease.
“It feels like winning your life back. Every day and every relationship feels more precious than ever before. Like a gift. What no one tells you is that there is no going back to the you you were before cancer. You are changed forever, in good ways and in bad. My only goal is to let the good shine through every day,” she said.
Vizzoni has chronicled much of her journey online, where she’s cultivated a supportive following. From sharing her initial diagnosis, to her post-chemo beach proposal, to modeling mastectomy bras for Victoria’s Secret, her story has resonated with many.
She also uses her platform to urge women to check their breasts regularly for signs of cancer.
According to breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel!, it’s important to check your chest regularly—regardless of age, gender, or background—so you can get to know what’s normal for your body and spot any unusual changes early.
This includes looking and feeling for changes such as:
- Lumps or thickening
- Changes in size, shape, or feel
- Skin texture changes (like puckering or dimpling)
- Nipple discharge or changes
- Persistent pain in the breast or armpit
The comment section of her video quickly filled with love and support.
“Before you started talking I thought ‘I love her hair’,” wrote Grace.
“Chemo curls are so beautiful! My mom has them too and I’m obsessed,” added Maria.
“This is why kindness matters so much. You never know what your kindness will mean to someone else,” another user shared.
“So sweet! Such a good reminder to tell people the nice compliments instead of just thinking them!,” said Gina.
Vizzoni hopes her story reminds people to lead with compassion.
“As for people that don’t know me that saw the video, I hope it is a reminder to them that you never know what people are going through. I probably looked healthy or happy or stylish to the waitress, and many people commented saying that was their first thought before I started explaining what happened, but you never know how much someone might need your small act of kindness and what it might mean to them. So never keep a kind thought to yourself, always say the compliment!” she concluded.
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The post Heartbreaking Reason for Woman’s Response to Stranger’s Comment on Her Hair appeared first on Newsweek.
