Describe symbolism in Ida B: . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

In Chapter Nine, the household changed drastically after they discovered that Mama had cancer. Everything became quiet, and Mama was too weak to spend much time with Ida B. When she lost her hair, Ida B. kept a hold of it as a symbol of her old life.