Children's book inspired by mum's cancer hair loss

Shannon Frost had six rounds of chemotherapy at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton

A book inspired by a girl's struggle to understand her mother's hair loss following cancer treatment, is being used to help families facing a similar experience in hospital.

Shannon Frost, 31, from Wolverhampton, had chemotherapy at New Cross Hospital after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma last year, shortly after her wedding.

Mrs Frost said her father's story, My Mum's a Chameleon, helped her daughter see that although "I might have changed on the outside, I was still the same mum inside".

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said it had bought copies and the book was being shared, helping other young children understand a loved one's cancer diagnosis.

The children's book, written from the perspective of a child, is described as a gentle way to explore the subject of hair loss with young children.

Mrs Frost said her daughter "struggled to understand why I looked different" and having this book "at the time might have made it easier for her".

She said losing her hair was "the hardest part" for her daughter and "I had to explain it was because mummy was poorly".

Mrs Frost added that once she "got used to the idea, she started to tell her friends and they all loved the bright red wig".

The mother-of-one said: "The tumour was so large it was sitting on my diaphragm, causing my right lung to deflate and meaning my heart was being pushed under my armpit."

However, she said the news did not come as a shock.

"My body had been whispering for a while, but with the madness of wedding planning, starting a new job, and being a mum, I didn't slow down when I should have," she said.

The book was written by her father with the help of her aunt and cousin.