Thread:RHOSS Sue/@comment-29697074-20160828003553

As promised, here's the story of how the modern version of Victorian Bloomers came into being.

I've had the "pleasure"of being a patient multiple times, and the one thing that upset me most, wasn't the bad food, or being woken up to give me something to help me sleep (I know, go figure!), it was the sobbing coming from women who had lost breasts due to cancer, and those who needed to carry drains with them wherever they went. At the request of a friend who was about to have a mastectomy, I customised a dressing gown, making a large, hidden pocket on the inside, to carry her drain. She felt able to visit the coffee shop in the hospital with her family, without being stared at, and people asking which breast had been removed - the type of drain made this obvious. I then started to make the robes from scratch, as I'd noticed that there was nothing available retail-wise, and contrary to popular belief, women need to look glamorous when in hospital, especially when they believe they will no longer be attractive. And then it was my turn, but my problems were .........., let's just say another area all together! Finding something comfortable was difficult, and as I prefer pj' s, decided to make one's that could, for want of a better description, accommodate!! The Victorian Bloomers were born, with hidden pocket for hospital, and drawstring waist for when that was no longer needed. The tops came into being as I like things to match or compliment, with the fancy trimmings being added as I made more and more of the sets.

So here's what I've found - there are plenty of items available for breast cancer patients after they leave hospital, but nothing for them when they need them most, that being whilst they're IN hospital, those important days when they come to terms with the change. For bowel, cervical and stomach cancer patients, they're told to wear nightdresses and bigger knickers! Well, in my opinion, Victorian Bloomers are the way forward. They can be made in a variety of fabrics, trimmed to the extreme, and not only will they hide what needs to hidden, they are comfortable and extremely glamorous.

Here's where I ask you - is there a market for items such as these? Would you consider purchasing such goods if you were going into hospital? Please let me know, and if you have any other suggestions, comments or just general feedback, post it here. 