Chemo turbans

I've been lucky to have healthy active parents throughout my life, so near the end of last year, when my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer we were all a bit shocked. At 68 she has never had any health issues and is from a generation of women who 'carry on regardless' even when something isn't feeling right. This motto has done her well through her life until recently. She experienced intermittent stomach discomfort and a bloated belly but didn't think anything of it so didn't mention it to anyone. It was only when her nephew visited and commented on her weight loss did we think something might be up.

Living with someone and seeing them everyday means you don't noticed the gradual weight loss. Now when I look at photos taken earlier in the year compared to today I'm shocked, I mean how could we not have noticed?! There's been about 10-14kg lost and on a woman who is 4 foot 11 it's a lot. 

To cut a long story short (where I nearly lost all faith in the National Health Service) it took about 3 months to get a definite diagnosis and start treatment. During which time her health deteriorated.  

I didn't know anything about ovarian cancer before this all happened. Unfortunately it's one of those silent types, where for most people it's not discovered until it's stage 3 or 4. Mum has stage 4b, so things are pretty bad. We are now under St Barts hospital in central London and the treatment and care have been great. 

As a family we are all trying to come to terms with what's happening. We are all dealing with the news differently but not too well to be honest. However, I'm a doer. So I feel much more useful if I can practically help. Hence the chemo turbans!

My mum has always had nice, healthy looking hair. As soon as she was told she would need chemo her first question was, "am I going to lose my hair?" It was a big deal to her. I'll admit I got a little frustrated with her, here we were getting awful news and she was worrying about a bald head!! However, I think it was just her way of coping with the news. The cancer nurse said a lot of women find it hard as its a constant reminder whenever they look in the mirror that they are ill. I suppose you can't truly understand until you are walking that path. 

She's always had short hair and about a week after the first chemo session clumps of hair started falling out. I think I noticed before her as when I went in the bathroom there was hair around the sink and on the floor. She didn't want a wig till the hair was all gone so I had a look on the Internet for chemo hat patterns. My mum said her mother used to wear turbans when doing the housework and they looked nice so she wanted to try that. 

I googled chemo turban patterns and was surprised at the amount of sites there were. A read a few and found them a little confusing until I found this from sewing.org. under their charitable sewing and craft projects tab.

Just one page of instructions is all that is needed. Apparently 15 members of the Bernina Sewing Club made 191 in one day. Quick and easy, my favourite kind of sewing. 

There are 3 pattern pieces and it takes about 15 mins to make one using a knit fabric. 

Fabric choice was an issue for my mum. We have very different tastes in fabric! Last year I ordered from the American company who specialise in quirky knit fabrics Girl Charlee. Well worth a browse on their website, but UK peeps beware of additional shipping charges if your package is stopped at customs.

My mums favourite fabrics were the foxes and pineapples and my mum isn't one to shy away from standing out, so a quick half hour later she had two funky chemo turbans.

Pretty funky huh! I've also made a couple more out of cheap fabric from Walthamstow market, and she had a leopard print jumper and requested an animal print turban to match. Mum has a wig now which she wears when she goes out, but they can get a bit uncomfy and hot, so the turbans are great for around the house. 

If your still reading...well done! If you know anyone who is going through a similar journey and you can sew a few bits of material together I really recommend the tutorial I used, if you can add a bit of fun to a pretty awful situation why not? 

p.s. 8th May is World Ovarian Cancer Day. I knew nothing about this cancer before all this happened and I wish I did. For all the ladies, young and old, it is important to familiarise yourselves with the symptoms. If something doesn't feel right, get it checked. Lets make people more aware of this 'silent' killer.