BB Blog

So comfortable you will forget you are wearing it. Natural, Breathable, temperature controlling UV protective as well as stylish. 

Bold Beanies Cancer Chemo Hats were designed by Emilienne after she lost her hair with chemotherapy treatment for Stage 3 advanced Breast Cancer at a young age. She found her bald head very cold, particularly at night time. 

Losing your hair suddenly makes you feel extra cold. Emilienne wore woollen beanies mostly but they were itchy and would get too hot and so she would take it off and then of course she'd get cold again... disturbing an already difficult night's sleep. The sheer relief from wearing a soft comfy breathable beanie that fit snuggly so was less prone to slipping around (as head scarves do, especially in bed) is felt by many. Perfect for day wear to feel less conscious of your hair-loss Alopecia and just get on with your day with one less thing to worry about.

It was important for her to stay covered up for her family as she looked very ill and thats when she realised the need for Bold Beanies. A hat with minimal seams, especially over pressure points and no extra irritants, like labels.

Bold Beanies hats sleep cap beanys bonnets skull caps... however you choose to describe them are silky soft stretchy cotton and so very comfortable you will forget you are wearing them, but with beautiful Liberty Fabric prints or fun prints (as well as a rainbow of plain colours ) you won't have to. Styles to suit everyone and at an affordable price. 

We're feeling festive here at Bold Beanies HQ and want to offer all our lovely customers 10% discount of all full price orders over £20. All we ask is that you follow us on Facebook and Instagram #BoldBeanies please to help us spread the cheer please :) 

As a small business this discount is significant to us. A fair-trade small business on the borders of England and Wales employing highly skilled lifelong trained local seamstresses in an otherwise ending manufacturing industry. 

Bold Beanies was set up by Emilienne over a decade ago to provide stylish, yet comfortable and easy headwear for women suffering chemotherapy hair loss Alopecia. It has grown to include beanies for Men, Teens and Children as well as a wide range of headwear options (Bandana, Headscarves, Head Wraps) and products such as PICC line covers for Arm ports, Eco re-useable face masks to stay protected during treatments and Award Winning Cancer gifts. 

I had my chemo in winter and found myself very cold as a result of my hair loss. I hadn’t yet created Bold Beanies, but this led to the creation of my little business. I wore wooly hats in bed (scarves would slip), but it was itchy and I got too hot, so I would take it off, and then I’d wake freezing cold. Adding ‘no sleep’ to the list of cancer treatment side effects. Bold Beanies are made with silky soft stretchy cotton fabric to fit snuggly (but not tight) on a sensitive scalp. Minimal seams away from pressure...

Tens of thousands of women in England could benefit from a drug that helps prevent breast cancer. Although I'm not post menopausal, I'm still extremely excited to read about this new development in Breast Cancer prevention. I took Tamoxifen for 10 years (I've been off it now for nearly 5 years already) and it has left me with often crippling Endometriosis without the option of drugs because they are hormone based. Surgery is my only option which would force me into post menopausal state. I'm going to enquire about my options of taking Anastrozole as a way to further decrease...

It's been a while since I blogged about myself and my personal 'journey' with Breast Cancer. I'll admit I'm struggling with it more than usual recently. Still? Yes, still. 

This past Thursday, was my youngest daughter Lotte's 17th birthday. Many years I have had the honour of being the proudest mum to both my girls. Watching them grow to adulthood, was something I genuinely thought I wouldn't have the chance to experience. Would I even make it to an age that they would remember me? I'm so incredibly lucky and grateful... of course I am. 

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 advanced aggressive Breast Cancer (with lymph nodes) when she was just 7 months old. I was breast feeding and felt this small pea sized lump in my right breast. It could so easily have been nothing. But I took her along to see the consultant for the results of my biopsy on that fateful Wednesday surprised when he asked that I'd come alone... but of course I wasn't alone I joked, the baby was with me. 

Lotte's first birthday was the day I had my second round of chemotherapy and had started to lose my hair. I was very ill with chemo and I still feel the after effects to this day. My hair loss became a significant life moment inspiring Bold Beanies... which has, in turn, also become a significant part of my life.

But I'm struggling. Finding it hard to still be involved in this world of cancer. Constantly reminded of re-occourrance. I've lost many friends over the years and have friends living with secondaries. I'm continually amazed by the strength of other people.

Everyones experience of this cruel disease if different. Everyone's path to diagnosis is different. Everyones support system is different. Everyone's ability to move on is different. For example, I have never been given the 'All Clear'. I never 'Rang the Bell'. I was told to stay vigilant.

I'm sharing this because maybe it resonates with just one other person and they feel less alone. To know they are understood if they say they feel like they live on borrowed time. When is it my turn again? Am I making the most of every day? Every year? That irrational, rational fear in your head that whispers 'is this it, this time?'

Breast Cancer Awareness Month / October is therefore hard for me. I plead with you all to actually check your breasts once a month, don't just read about it and wear a pink ribbon. If you've had mastectomies, you still need to check (note to self)! My cancer was so aggressive I wouldn't be here today had it not been found early and taken seriously.

I also ask that people be kind and understanding that maybe when you're asking "...but you're ok now?" it's hard to answer. That irrational 5% thought that it could come back is always niggling no matter how positive you are. When I was diagnosed with PTSD I wasn't surprised, but I did expect it to get better. I fear it gets worse with every passing year. I'm finally in a space where I can start to deal with my PTSD and I hope can start to believe in plans for the future. 

I would still see my Breast Cancer has a gift as well as a curse in my life (as one of the lucky ones allowed to survive). It's shaped me and given me priorities I'm proud of and I learnt to be strong. Whatever your experience with Cancer, I wish you peace and kindness, Emilienne xx

Bold Beanies is a small business by my choice and I care about the people and the products. Award winning quality, beautifully designed, stylish, soft, comfy and easy cotton headwear for all. The range has grown from the original Bold Beanies hat to other quality chemotherapy hair loss products including headscarves, head wraps, PICC port sleeves, gorgeous cancer gifts beany posies and bouquets, my book HOPE, bandanas, eco face masks and sleep caps. I love the iconic Liberty prints, the fun prints and offering a rainbow of plain colours. Making a difficult time just a bit better. Sustainable fashion made with care on the borders of Wales and England.

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