Rooted in Strength

Look Good Feel Better Workshops

If you're going through cancer treatment in the UK, there's a charity you should know about. Look Good Feel Better runs free workshops that help people manage the visible side effects of treatment, and they've been doing it here since 1994. Ask anyone who's been to one and you'll get the same two responses. First, that they nearly didn't go. Second, that it was one of the best afternoons of their whole treatment. What they actually do Look Good Feel Better runs group workshops led by trained beauty and wellbeing professionals who volunteer their time. The sessions cover the practical things that fall through the cracks in cancer care; How to look after skin that's changed, what to do about eyebrows that have vanished, and how to feel like yourself again. What's more, they're completely free. The charity works hard to keep it that way, funded by the beauty industry and by donations. The sessions on offer There's a decent range of sessions available, so it's worth looking at what suits you: •      Skincare and make-up, the flagship workshop, covering how to care for changed skin and create a natural look •      Wigs, brows and lashes, which is the one to book if you're dealing with hair loss •      Hair loss and scalp care •      Hand and nail care, since nails take a real battering during treatment •      Styling for confidence, led by style experts, covering colour, shape and dressing a body that's changed •      Gentle exercise and mindfulness •      Men's wellbeing sessions, hosted by barbering experts, covering shaving, sore skin and scarring •      Young adult sessions, aimed at a younger crowd who often feel out of place elsewhere The goody bag Let's talk about the bag, because it's genuinely lovely and it's the thing everyone remembers. Go to an in-person workshop and you'll be given a bag of full-size skincare and make-up products to use during the session and take home. Not samples. Proper products, donated by the beauty brands that support the charity. The bags are pre-packed, so you can't choose what's in yours, and supply depends on what's been donated. If you have allergies or you're particular about what goes on your skin, you can bring your own products to use in the session, nobody will mind. The bag isn't really the point, mind. It's just a very nice extra on top of an afternoon where someone treats you like a person rather than a patient. What actually happens on the day The workshops run for up to two hours. In-person groups are small, usually eight to fifteen people. Online groups are bigger, and the hair sessions and exercise classes can run to eighty or so. You do your own make-up. The volunteers are there to guide you, show you techniques and step in if you're struggling, but nobody is going to give you a full makeover while you sit there. That's deliberate. You're learning skills you can use at home on a Tuesday morning when nobody's watching. Most people arrive nervous and almost nobody stays that way. The thing everyone says afterwards is that it was the first time in weeks they'd been in a room where nobody talked about cancer. You're allowed to leave it at the door. Who can go Anyone with a cancer diagnosis. Women, men and young adults, and the workshops are open to everyone regardless of gender identity. The skincare and make-up, hand and nail care and styling workshops are a one-off, one per person per diagnosis. That does mean you can't book a refresher a few months later, though the charity has a library of free tutorials on their website you can use any time. If your cancer returns, get in touch with them directly rather than assuming you can't come back. In person or online Both. In-person workshops run in hospitals, cancer care centres and partner venues across the UK. Virtual workshops run over Zoom, so you can join from your sofa on a day you don't fancy leaving the house. The trade-off is the goody bag, which comes with the in-person sessions. If you're well enough to travel, the in-person version is worth the effort for the room full of people as much as the products. A few practical things to know •      Book in advance through the Look Good Feel Better website, and you can also ring them on 01372 747 500 •      Turn up on time, as sessions start promptly and there's only a short grace period before the door closes •      Everything is provided, though you can bring your own foundation and concealer if you have shades you love, plus your own brushes if they're clean •      Bring a pen and paper if you like taking notes, and you'll be given a leaflet covering what was taught •      You can't bring a friend or family member, since the space is kept for people with a diagnosis, so ring ahead if you need a chaperone for a specific reason like translation •      Tell them about any accessibility needs when you book and they'll do their best What they can't help with They're upfront about this, and it's worth knowing. Look Good Feel Better aren't medically trained, so they can't tell you which products are safe for your particular treatment. That's a question for your oncologist or cancer nurse specialist, who can look at your history and advise on anything you should avoid. They also can't recommend wig shops, hairdressers or microblading artists. For hair specifically, they point people towards Cancer Hair Care, who offer one-to-one support. Where we fit in We're not connected to the charity in any way. We just think more people should know they exist, because the number of customers who tell us they'd never heard of Look Good Feel Better until someone mentioned it in passing is frankly too high. If you go to a brows and lashes session and come away wanting to practise what you learned, we stock false eyelashes and eyebrow pencils chosen for people going through treatment.  Go, if you can The most common thing we hear is some version of "I almost didn't bother". People talk themselves out of it because they feel too rough, or too self-conscious, or because putting on make-up feels frivolous when you're seriously ill. It isn't frivolous. Recognising yourself in the mirror does something for you that no amount of good advice can. And a couple of hours in a room full of people who understand exactly where you are turns out to be worth a great deal. Look Good Feel Better is a registered charity, number 1031728. Find workshops and book at lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk.   Frequently asked questions Is Look Good Feel Better free? Yes. All workshops and classes are free for anyone with a cancer diagnosis, funded by the beauty industry and donations. Who can attend a Look Good Feel Better workshop? Anyone with a cancer diagnosis. There are dedicated sessions for women, men and young adults, and the workshops are open to everyone. What's in the Look Good Feel Better goody bag? A selection of full-size skincare and make-up products donated by the charity's partner brands. Bags are pre-packed and given out at in-person workshops, so the contents vary depending on what's been donated. How do I book a Look Good Feel Better workshop? Book through their website at lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk, or ring 01372 747 500. Your cancer nurse or treatment centre may also be able to point you to a local session. Can I go to more than one workshop? The skincare and make-up, hand and nail care and styling for confidence workshops are a one-off per person per diagnosis. Free tutorials on their website are available any time.

What to Take to Your First Chemo Appointment: Checklist

Nobody tells you how long chemotherapy actually takes. You picture something quick and clinical, and then you find out you'll be sitting in a chair for four hours with a drip in your arm and nothing but a two-year-old magazine. Packing a bag is one of the few parts of this you get to control. It's worth doing properly, because a good bag turns a long, cold, boring day into something much more bearable. Here's what people who've done it tell us they were glad they brought. How long will you be there? Ask your unit before the day, because it varies enormously. Some treatments take an hour. Others take six or seven, once you add in blood tests, waiting for pharmacy and the drip itself. Assume it'll be longer than you were told. Pack for that and you'll never be caught out. Keeping warm This is the one thing everyone mentions. Chemo units are cold, the drugs go in cold, and sitting still for hours makes it worse. A light blanket or a big soft scarf, and there are plenty of people who take one from home purely because it smells right Warm socks, ideally a pair you can pull on over tights or with slippers Layers you can add and take off, because you may swing between freezing and boiling in the same hour A soft hat, which matters more than you'd think Your scalp loses a surprising amount of heat, and if your hair has started to go, a cold room feels very different. A bamboo or cotton chemo hat is breathable enough that you won't overheat and soft enough to sit against a tender scalp for hours. If you'd rather have a scarf, a pre-tied head scarf pulls straight on with no mirror and no fiddling in a hospital toilet. What to wear Think about where the line goes in. If you're having treatment through your arm, wear short sleeves or something with sleeves that push up easily. If you have a PICC line, a port or a Hickman line, you want a wide neckline or a button-front top so the nurses can reach it without you having to undress. Beyond that, comfort wins. Soft waistbands, nothing tight, nothing scratchy, and layers. Food and drink Most units offer tea, coffee and biscuits, but the choice is limited and the timings won't suit you. Bring your own water bottle, because staying hydrated genuinely helps and you'll drink more if it's sitting there. Pack a few snacks you actually like, plus something plain like crackers in case your stomach turns. Sugar-free boiled sweets or mints are worth a mention. Some drugs leave a metallic taste in your mouth, and something to suck on helps. Passing the time Four hours is a long time. Plan for it. A tablet or phone loaded up before you go, since hospital wifi is unreliable and you don't want to be fighting it Headphones, ideally with a long cable or good battery life A phone charger and a power bank, and this is the item people forget and regret most A book, a magazine or a puzzle book for when your eyes are tired of screens Something to do with your hands, like knitting or a crossword Audiobooks and podcasts suit people who feel too woolly to concentrate on reading. Comfort watching works too. This isn't the day for anything that demands your full brain. Comfort for skin and mouth Hospital air is dry, and some treatments make things drier still. Lip balm, which is the small item people are most grateful for Hand cream, fragrance-free if you can Tissues A little bottle of water spray or a fan if you get hot flushes The practical bits Your appointment letter and hospital number A list of any medicines you take, including anything you buy over the counter Your chemo helpline number, saved in your phone and written on paper A notebook and pen, because you'll be told a lot and you might not remember it Any anti-sickness tablets you've already been given Parking money or a card, and check whether your hospital offers free or reduced parking for cancer patients, as many do The notebook is worth taking seriously. Write your questions down before you go, and write the answers down while you're there. Nobody takes information in properly on day one. Can someone come with you? Usually yes, though space varies and some units limit numbers, so ring and check. If you can bring someone, bring them. Having a second pair of ears is genuinely useful, and the journey home is easier with company. You may also not be allowed to drive yourself home, depending on your treatment.  What to leave at home Anything valuable Strong perfume, on you or on anyone coming with you, because smells can be a real trigger Big meals with a strong smell, out of courtesy to everyone else in the room A packed schedule for the rest of the day Keep the day itself clear. Even if you feel fine afterwards, and plenty of people do, you don't want to be rushing anywhere. The bag you'll want by the end Once you've done one session you'll know exactly what you need, and most people end up with a permanent chemo bag that lives by the door. It gets refined every cycle. The blanket stays, the ambitious novel gets swapped for a puzzle book, and the snacks change completely. If someone you love is starting treatment and you want to help, putting this bag together for them is one of the kindest things you can do. There are gift ideas here if you're not sure where to begin. One last thought The first appointment is almost always the worst one, and not because of the treatment. It's the fear of the unknown that makes it hard. By the second session you'll know where to park, which chair you like, which nurse makes the good tea, and how long you've really got. Frequently asked questions How long does a first chemotherapy session take? It depends on your treatment. Some take an hour, others take six or more once blood tests and pharmacy waits are included. Your unit can give you a realistic estimate, and it's worth packing for longer. What should I wear to chemotherapy? Loose, comfortable layers. If you have a port or a line in your chest, choose a wide neckline or a button-front top. If treatment goes into your arm, wear sleeves that push up easily. Can I eat during chemo? In most units, yes. Bring your own snacks and a water bottle, because the choice on offer is usually limited and you'll want things you actually fancy. Should I wear a hat to chemotherapy? Many people do. Chemo units run cold, and a soft hat keeps your head warm without irritating a sensitive scalp. It's a personal choice rather than a rule.

When to get your hair cut after chemo

You've finished treatment. Somewhere around week three or four you run your hand over your head and feel something soft that wasn't there before. It's a genuinely lovely moment. Then comes the awkward bit. The fluff arrives at different speeds in different places, it may be a colour you've never had, and you have no idea whether to cut it, leave it, or hide it. Almost everyone asks the same question at this point. When can I get it cut? The short answer is that most people book their first proper haircut somewhere between three and six months after treatment ends. But the calendar in my view doesnt matter - what matters is how you feel. What regrowth usually looks like Everyone's timeline is different and depends on the drugs you have been given, your dose and your own hair. A rough guide, based on what most people tell us is: Weeks 3 to 6: soft fuzz starts to appear, patchy and often colourless Months 2 to 3: a proper covering, still very short and very soft Months 3 to 5: enough length for a short crop or a soft pixie, and this is where most first haircuts happen Month 6: roughly three inches for many people Month 12: often five or six inches, around chin length Hair grows about half an inch a month once it gets going. That's the same rate as anyone else's, which is why it feels so slow. You're just starting from a lower baseline. If you're months in and seeing very little, or your hair is coming back much thinner than expected, mention it to your team. It's worth raising rather than worrying about it alone. The fluffy stage, and why cutting too early can backfire There's a stage most people hit around two to three months where the hair is soft, wispy and standing up in all directions. It's the stage where you're most tempted to take scissors to it. Cutting into very fine regrowth usually makes it look thinner rather than tidier. Heavy layering or a sharply defined crop needs density to hold its shape, and at this point there isn't any yet. Most hairdressers who work with cancer patients will say the same thing. Wait a bit, and let it gain some weight. The exception is a genuine tidy-up. Cleaning up the neckline, softening round the ears and taking off a few fluffy tips is a small job that can make a big difference to how you feel. That's not really a haircut. It's a tidy-up, and you can have one much earlier. Signs you're ready Forget the number of months. Book your appointment when: You've got a reasonably even covering rather than patches The hair has some body to it and stays roughly where you put it Bits are starting to stick out or curl in directions you don't want The neckline or the area round your ears looks scruffy You want to, which is honestly reason enough What a good first cut actually involves Manage your expectations, because a good first haircut is subtle work. If you turn up at four months with a couple of centimetres, the appointment might take twenty minutes and look fairly subtle to everyone else. Your hairdresser will probably tidy the neckline, shape gently around the ears, take off any wispy ends and leave the top alone to build up. That's a proper haircut. It just respects where your hair is right now. If your hair has come back thicker and faster, there's more to work with and a soft pixie or a neat crop may be on the cards straight away. Finding a hairdresser you feel comfortable with This appointment carries more weight than a normal trim, and the right person makes an enormous difference. Ring ahead and say you've just finished chemotherapy. Ask whether they've cut regrowth before. A good salon will book you a quieter slot, give you a bit of privacy, and won't make a performance of it. If you'd rather not sit in a busy salon at all, plenty of stylists will come to your home. Your cancer centre or local support group can usually recommend someone who works with cancer patients regularly. Chemo curls, and why your hair looks like someone else's More than half of people find their hair comes back with a different texture. Straight hair returns curly, curly hair returns straight, and colour often shifts too. Lots of people get more grey than they had before, at least at first. This catches people off guard. You waited months for your hair and it belongs to a stranger. It usually settles. Texture and colour tend to drift back towards your old hair over the first year to eighteen months as the follicles recover. Some people find they keep a bit of the new wave, and a few decide they rather like it. While it's settling, a light leave-in conditioner and small trims every six to eight weeks will keep it looking intentional rather than in-between. Before you reach for the colour New hair is fragile. Cancer Research UK suggests holding off on permanent and semi-permanent dye, bleach, perms, chemical straightening and extensions for around six months after chemotherapy finishes. If your scalp has been sensitive or you're still recovering, check with your medical team first, and always do a skin sensitivity test even with natural products like henna. When you do colour, a trained hairdresser is a safer bet than a home kit. Covering up while you wait The months between finishing treatment and having a haircut you feel good about can be surprisingly hard. You're well again, and you still don't look like yourself. A soft chemo beanie sits neatly over short regrowth and works with a coat and a school run. A lightweight head scarf gives you a different option on the days you want a bit more. Both are seam-free and gentle on a scalp that's still tender. Plenty of our customers keep wearing theirs long after their hair's back, simply because they've grown fond of them. One last thing There's no right moment for that first haircut. There's only your moment. Some people book it the second they've got an inch, because sitting in a salon chair feels like proof they've come out the other side. Others wait until the hair is long enough to do something with. Both are fine. You've been through a great deal. This bit is allowed to be yours. Frequently asked questions How soon after chemo can I cut my hair? There's no medical reason to wait once your hair is growing. Most people find three to six months gives them enough to work with, though a tidy-up around the neckline can happen earlier. Should I shave the first regrowth to make it grow back thicker? That's a common belief but there's no evidence behind it. Shaving doesn't change how thick your hair grows back. Most people leave it be. Why is my hair curly after chemo? Texture changes are extremely common after chemotherapy and usually temporary. Most people find their hair drifts back towards its old texture over twelve to eighteen months. When can I dye my hair after chemotherapy? Cancer Research UK advises waiting around six months, as new hair is fragile. Check with your medical team first, and do a skin sensitivity test before any colour goes near your scalp.

Managing Nausea During Chemo. The Small Things That Help

Nausea is one of the side effects people worry about most before chemotherapy starts. The good news is that anti-sickness medicine has come a long way, and your team will give you something to take alongside your treatment. Most people find their sickness is manageable rather than constant. Everything below is the practical stuff and the bits nobody tells you on a leaflet. It comes from years of talking to customers who've been through treatment and told us what actually got them through the difficult days. Start with your chemo team, always Your oncology team or chemo nurse is your first call, not Google and not us. We sell hats and scarves, we're not medical people, and we'd never pretend otherwise. If your anti-sickness tablets aren't working, ring them. Don't wait until your next appointment and don't soldier on. There are several different types, and if the first one doesn't suit you, they can usually swap it for something else. People often feel they're making a fuss. You're not. This is exactly what the helpline number is for. Check with your team before you add anything new, even things that sound harmless like ginger capsules, peppermint oil or herbal teas. Some of them interact with treatment. Eat little, eat often An empty stomach can make sickness worse, which feels deeply unfair when eating is the last thing you fancy. Small amounts every couple of hours tend to sit better than three proper meals. Things people tell us worked for them: Dry crackers, plain toast or a few breadsticks first thing, before you even get out of bed Plain carbs like rice, pasta, potatoes and porridge Something salty, as crisps come up again and again in conversation Ice lollies and jelly, which count as fluid too If you can only face one thing for a fortnight, eat that one thing. Nobody is marking you on variety. Cold food is often kinder than hot Hot food gives off far more aroma, and smell is a huge trigger. A cold sandwich, a yoghurt or a bowl of cereal can be much easier to face than a cooked dinner. If you live with someone who can cook for you, ask them to do it with the kitchen door shut and a window open. Better still, ask them to plate yours up and let it cool. Lots of people find they can't be in the house while food is cooking but can eat it happily half an hour later. Sip slowly and keep sipping Drinking a lot in one go can bring nausea straight back. Small sips throughout the day work better. Keep a bottle or a glass within reach so you're not making a decision every time, you just drink because it's there. Cold drinks, fizzy water, weak squash and ice cubes all suit some people. Others go off water completely and find they need flavour. Both are normal. Smells will catch you out This is the one that surprises people. Perfume, washing powder, coffee, someone's aftershave on the bus. Any of it can turn your stomach over in seconds. A few things that help: Switch to a fragrance-free washing powder while you're in treatment Keep a window cracked open, or sit somewhere with moving air Ask family and friends to go easy on scent when they visit Carry something you find neutral or pleasant to sniff, like a clean cotton hankie Fresh air and gentle movement You don't need to be marching round a park. Sitting by an open window or in the garden for ten minutes shifts things for a lot of people. A slow walk to the end of the road and back can settle a queasy stomach better than lying still. Lying flat straight after eating tends to make sickness worse. Prop yourself up on pillows instead and give it half an hour. Give your brain somewhere else to be Nausea gets louder when you've got nothing else to think about. It's why 3pm on a quiet Tuesday can feel so much worse than a busy morning. Audiobooks and podcasts suit people who feel too rough to look at a screen. Puzzles, a familiar comfort programme you've seen a hundred times, or a phone call with someone who'll do most of the talking all help. Nothing demanding, this isn't the fortnight for a complicated box set! Stay comfortable from the neck up Feeling hot and clammy makes nausea considerably worse, and a lot of people find their head runs warm during treatment. A breathable chemo hat in bamboo or cotton jersey stays cool against the scalp and is easy to pull off in a hurry if you get a hot flush. If you're being sick, a pre-tied headscarf that pulls straight on beats anything you have to tie. You want something you can put on with one hand and no mirror. Learn the shape of your cycle By your second or third round, you'll start to notice a pattern. Most people find days two to four are the hardest, then things lift. Once you know your pattern, plan around it. Batch cook or stock the freezer before treatment day. Book visitors for your good days. Move the appointments and the shopping to the end of the cycle. Knowing when you'll feel rough takes some of the fear out of it. When to ring the helpline Call your chemo helpline or your team, day or night, if: You can't keep fluids down for more than a few hours You've been sick repeatedly and can't stop You feel dizzy, confused or unusually weak You have a temperature alongside the sickness Something feels wrong, even if it's not on any list You'll have been given a 24-hour number when you started treatment. Stick it on the fridge. It's there so you use it. A last thought Nausea passes. It won't feel like it on day three, but it does. Almost everyone who comes back to us months later says the sick days blurred into one and the good days came back faster than they expected. Be kind to yourself, eat the crisps, and ring the helpline when you need to. Frequently asked questions How long does nausea last after chemotherapy? It varies with the drugs you're on and how you respond. Many people find the worst is over within a few days of each session, then they pick up before the next round. Your chemo nurse can tell you what's typical for your particular treatment. Does everyone feel sick during chemo? No. Some people sail through with very little sickness, especially with modern anti-sickness medicine. Others struggle more. There's no way to predict which you'll be until you start. What foods are easiest during chemo nausea? Plain, cold and simple. Crackers, toast, rice, potatoes, yoghurt, ice lollies and salty snacks are the ones people mention most. Strong smells and rich food are usually harder. Can I take ginger for chemo sickness? Ask your oncology team first. Ginger helps some people, but it can interact with certain treatments, so it needs checking rather than assuming. Written for chemotherapyheadwear.com. Not medical advice. Always speak to your oncology team about side effects and medication.

Ideas For Tying A Hat & Headscarf Combination

How to avoid getting in a knot! With a little bit of practise you will be able to master each style effortlessly.  Some chemo head scarves are secured to a 100% cotton jersey hat so that the scarves do not slip off your head when your arms get tired.  Simply pop on the hat and that's the first step covered! STYLE 1 - LEVEL: EASY After you put the hat on, drape the chemo scarf over the head, leaving the two ends hanging either side by your shoulders.  Pick the ends up and tie them in a simple knot at the back.  This look is great for people who are used to longer hair because it simulates a ponytail at the back of the head.  STYLE 2 - LEVEL: EASY Fold the chemo scarf so that it creates a “band across the front of the head, pull the two ends towards the back and tie in a simple knot.  The folds give additional padding to the hair line and is suitable for those who feel exposed without the weight of their hair around the face. STYLE 3 - LEVEL: EASY After tying the ends of either of the above styles in a simple knot, tuck the ends back over upon themselves – this creates a bow-like style and helps keeps the ends shorter. STYLE 4 - MODERATE Fold the head scarf in three so it forms a band across the forehead and the two ends hang either side of your face.  Bring the two ends around the back of the head and tie firmly in a simple knot.  This will hold the scarf in place whilst you start twisting!  Take one end in turn and twist it so that it forms a tight rope like cord.  Then bring this around to the front of the head and tuck the end securely into the band at the front of the chemo hat.  Next, do the same with the remaining end.  You can secure this with a pin if you feel you need a bit of added grip. STYLE 5 - MODERATE Fold the scarf in three so it forms a band across the forehead and the two ends hang either side of your face.  Bring the two ends around the back of the head and tie firmly in a simple knot.  This will hold the scarf in place whilst you start twisting!  Take both ends and twist them around each other.  Keep twisting until the rope like cord starts to curl up into itself.  Next, twist the cord round as if creating a “bun” or rosette.  With the remaining ends of the chemo scarf, push them part the way through the centre of the rosette to secure it in place. 

Supporting Someone Through Chemotherapy: What Actually Helps

When someone you love is going through chemotherapy, the instinct to help can be overwhelming — but knowing exactly what to do is another matter entirely. You want to say the right thing. You want to do the right thing. And you're frightened of getting it wrong.Here's what we've seen actually make a difference.Show up consistentlyThe first week after a diagnosis tends to bring a flood of support. What people really need is for that support to keep coming — three months in, six months in, on the quiet Tuesday when the treatment is particularly rough. Keep checking in. Keep asking what they need. Keep turning up.Listen without trying to fixResist the urge to fill the silence or to reassure. 'It'll all be fine' and 'you're so strong' are said with the best of intentions, but they can make someone feel they're not allowed to be scared. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is 'that sounds really hard. I'm here.'Take something practical off their plateChemotherapy is exhausting. Even a short hospital day can wipe someone out for the rest of the week. The things that used to be automatic — cooking, shopping, the school run, keeping the house running — can feel enormous. Offer something specific, not just 'let me know if you need anything'. People rarely ask. Show up with dinner. Offer to drive them to their next appointment. Pick something up from the shop.Help with transportHospital appointments happen regularly during treatment. Offering to drive, or helping arrange transport, removes a logistical worry that can quietly pile up on top of everything else.Think about what they might need to feel more comfortableSoft, comfortable things matter enormously during treatment. A gentle shampoo for a sensitive scalp. A beautiful, warm chemo hat in a colour that suits them. A cosy pair of socks. These aren't trivial — they're signals that you see them, you've thought about their specific situation and you've done something about it.If you're looking for a gift for someone going through chemo, our gift card lets them choose exactly what they need from our range of hats, headscarves and accessories. We're also happy to help you choose something specific if you'd like a recommendation.Keep including them in normal lifeDon't treat them as though they've become a different person. Invite them to things. Ask their opinions. Talk about ordinary things as well as the treatment. For many people, the most precious moments during chemotherapy are the ones where they feel completely normal for an hour.

How to Use a Mastectomy Pillow: A Practical Guide

After a mastectomy or breast surgery, one of the most common things people are given advice about — or search for themselves — is a mastectomy pillow. But it's not always obvious exactly how they're meant to be used or what makes a good one.Here's everything you need to know.What is a mastectomy pillow for?A mastectomy pillow sits under your arm on the side where you've had surgery. Its job is to protect your fresh scars from pressure, particularly from seat belts in the car, which can dig in and cause discomfort when you're healing. It also helps keep your arm slightly away from your body, which reduces strain on the surgical area.The heart shape isn't just decorative. The V-shaped dip at the top of the heart fits neatly under your arm, with the curve sitting high enough on your chest to cushion the seatbelt.How to use one at homeYou don't only need a mastectomy pillow in the car. Many people find it helps: In bed — tucked under your arm to keep it away from your body while you sleep. On the sofa — held against your side while watching TV or reading. In any chair — as a soft, supportive cushion between your arm and your body while you rest. Most of our customers tell us the pillow becomes a constant companion for the first few weeks after surgery.What makes a good mastectomy pillow?Our pillows have a few features that matter: Two 60cm ribbons that can be tied over your shoulder or across your body to keep the pillow in place while you rest, so you're not constantly repositioning it. Premium hollow fibre filling that keeps its shape and doesn't sink to one side (unlike bean-bag bead filling, which tends to cluster at the bottom). Beautiful cotton fabric from local independent designers — because something that helps you heal should also make you smile. If you'd like to know more about our mastectomy pillows or see the full range of fabrics, take a look in the shop.