Seven years and 400 Breast Buddies later
“I sat down and decided that I am blessed because I am healthy. Then I decided that cancer has come over my path and that it is what it is,” says Hester Koch, the first and only woman in Namibia to crochet, knit and create breast prostheses from t-shirt material for women who have undergone mastectomies.Koch herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.
“Fortunately, my breast was not removed, only the lump. It was after my operation in the Cape that I first heard of Knitted Knockers. Upon my return to Namibia, I started looking for information and realised there is no such thing available in Windhoek or Namibia. I started doing research on the internet and looked for a pattern, but this was also in vain.”
She bought a temporary breast created from material, adjusted the pattern and started making breasts herself. “It provided lots of laughs at home when my husband’s friends came to visit. They asked what I was making. I have always proudly said that I make boobies; boobies of all shapes and sizes.”
Before Koch started creating these breasts, women had to go without or buy expensive prostheses.
In 2015, she delivered the first 100 crocheted and knitted breasts to the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and thought it would last a while. “Yet they called me barely a month later and said, ‘Hester, we need more boobies’. Before there was nothing like it and CAN gave them to women who had already undergone a mastectomy. Now they are only given to women in the hospital who are undergoing surgery. To date, I have made more than 500 boobs.”
After their mastectomy, each woman not only receives a Breast Buddie, but also a bag made from material in which they can keep their drainage equipment and a padded pouch for under their arms.
“Marie Smit makes these. The pouch is essential because once your glands are removed, you do not want your arm to touch your body. You can also put the pouch on your chest when you need to put on a seat belt.”
Unfortunately, Smit is older than Koch and she tires quicker and no longer wants to make the bags. In light of this, they are looking for women who want to help make Breast Buddies for CAN, as well as the bags.
“It’s quite simple and even if you can’t sew, you can make a tie. I give you the pattern and teach you how to make it. It’s quick to make and it’s a wonderful feeling when you’re done and you know such a small item can change a woman's life and brighten up their day. Moreover, it gives her comfort and dignity, and it means the world to them.”
In the meantime, Koch has also started making breasts out of T-shirt material.
“The knitted and crocheted boobs are too hot for many women or it makes them itch. Those made from T-shirt material are soft on the skin and work very well. You can take out the filling and wash it. You can also fill it up and make it bigger, or take out some of the filling and make it smaller. You can make it in any colour. They are very popular and more and more women are starting to ask for it.”
According to Koch, she can make four breasts in 30 minutes.
“I have been sewing almost all my life. I made wedding dresses and matric farewell dresses, but the boobs can be made by anyone. It’s really easy and I’m willing to teach anyone. I’m also getting older and someone has to learn and take over, otherwise we will be back to where we were before 2015 when a woman’s only option was to get by without it, push socks into their bra or buy expensive prostheses.”
People who have unused T-shirts or that have marks or a small hole in, can drop it off at CAN for Koch to use to make breasts. Those interested in making the breasts, can contact CAN at 061 237 740.