Maura’s Story

Maura Roche, co-founder of Roches Hair Solutions, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1989 from which she has made a full recovery.

Losing my hair

The Doctor said my hair would go, at first I said to hell with it. The main thing is that I can be treated, it will be all gone in three weeks. Difficult to believe, but as the days go by my anxiety increases. I ask the nurse the name of my drugs, I search through my cancer book. Oh damn and blast I haven’t a chance, all three drugs cause hair loss. The cure seems worse than the disease.

I notice other people’s hair more than before. Songs on the radio about golden tresses, flowing hair, bouncing curls, hi-lights, I am very angry. The day I have been dreading has arrived. It’s on my pillow, my face, in my mouth, my brush is thick, it’s falling everywhere, I feel like a good cry. I wonder is this easier for men? What I’ve been dreading has happened. It took three days from start to finish. I avoid letting anyone see me without my piece, Fergus hides his feelings well. And the kids are shocked, its like they’ve only just realised I’m ill. Even though they’ve known for six months.

My New Hair

I felt damn glad I had it the day my hair fell out. I had it cut to suit my face, it’s even better than I thought. When someone speaks to me I hold them with my eyes, if they look up or sideways, I’ll know they know, and I’ll just die if they touch it. And so I make a decision, I am going to live a normal life. I’ll wear the hairpiece from wake-up to bedtime. Taking it off and on is not for me, I’m just not having that.

And so my hairpiece becomes a part of me, I am cold without it, it enables me to go to work, restaurants and the supermarket, and no heads turn. And then I get cheeky with it. I sail through German passport control, I try on clothes in communal dressing rooms, I walk in the wind and nothing happens except I am happy to be alive each day.

And I feel really good. Some friends have forgotten I wear it I’m sure, and strangers have admired my hairstyle. I accept their compliments with a smile but inside I shout yippee. A normal life during treatment, that’s what my hairpiece enables me.