31 October 2023

Nurses have paid tribute to Louise Smith, whose sewing talents and creative skills have produced more than 2,000 heart cushions and drain bags to help breast cancer patients at Frimley Park Hospital.

“I’ve done a lot of sewing in the last seven years,” smiled Louise, as she received a bouquet of flowers to mark her achievements.

As well as providing practical help after breast cancer surgery, the cushions and bags also provide an emotional comfort, letting patients know they aren’t alone and that others are thinking of them.

“The heart shape means the cushion sits well under the armpit and eases discomfort after surgery,” said Ruth O’Connor, an advanced nurse practitioner for breast cancer at Frimley Health. “They make such a big difference.”

The drain bag is a crossbody bag, sturdy enough to hold post-surgical drains which can be in some mastectomy patients for two weeks.

“It’s not pleasant to have to carry a drain around, but the drain bags, while also being nicer to look at, have a practical purpose as well, letting patients have the use of both hands to carry out day to day activities,” added Ruth.

While Louise’s volunteer work is impressive, she modestly sees it as an outlet to put her crafting experience to good use: “It’s my escape, really, my moments of solitude. I like finding nice bits of fabric, cutting it out, then sit with a cup of tea, some music on, and sew.”

She first started when she discovered the Heidi Heart Pillow Project in 2013, and in January 2017 she began making the cushions and drain bags directly for Frimley Park Hospital.

“It’s my local hospital, as I live in Yateley. I’m only a small cog in the much bigger process of all the important work the teams are doing at the hospital,” she said.

“The messages I see from people on social media is what keeps me going, really. They spur me on, particularly when you think about what that person might be going through and yet they’ve taken the time to write something about how glad they are to have a heart cushion.

“Everyone wants to feel that their work is doing some good in the world. To hear that something makes a difference is really nice.”

A colleague of Louise was diagnosed a few months ago, and Louise was able to provide her with a cushion she had recently finished. “She described it as a bit of a godsend and called it the ultimate comfort. That’s really stayed with me.”

Louise has developed a keen eye for saving suitable materials. “You’re always looking at anything you might be getting rid of,” she said. “Sometimes you’re only able to get part of a pattern out of some fabric, but it’s a lovely way of upcycling, I think. You just don’t want to waste anything.”

She has no plans to hang up her sewing needles just yet.

“I’ve probably got enough fabric to keep me going for the next couple of years, as friends are always donating material to me.”

Breast cancer nurses at Frimley Park Hospital were full of admiration for Louise.

“We’re so grateful for all the effort she puts in, for all those hours of sewing across so many years,” said Simone Kearney, speaking on behalf of the team.

“We see what Louise’s work means to patients, the comfort it provides and how much it is appreciated.

“It’s important that we recognise people who do so much for our ladies on their breast cancer pathway. Louise is amazing and deserves so many thanks from us all.”

Pictured are Louise Smith with Joseph, Maggie, Lara and Julia from the nursing team.