Watch son and mum shave their heads as she goes through cancer treatment
Sam Latronico's mum Matilda is battling ovarian cancer and he shaved his head after her treatment led to her hair falling out.
Last updated 2nd Jul 2019
An Abertay uni student is making an emotional appeal for cancer awareness after sharing a moving video of him shaving his mum's head.
Sam Latronico's mum Matilda is battling ovarian cancer.
He decided to go bald alongside her - after her hair began to fall out due to chemotherapy.
The 27-year-old says it was hard for her to come to terms with.
"She just woke up one morning, put her hand through her hair and clumps were falling out into her hands," he said.
"Within two days she had big bald patches.
"I turned round to her and told her it needs to go, we need to bit the bullet and shave it off."
Doctors initially thought Matilda had an ovarian cyst after she came unwell but after undergoing an operation to remove it they found a tumour.
"From August last year to February my mum was walking round with cancer inside of her," he said.
"All of us were under the illusion it was just an ovarian cyst which believe it or not are very common.
"Most women get ovarian cysts every year but are completely unaware of it as the body automatically breaks it down and gets rid of it."
He’s now hoping she will be able to make it to Thursday’s Graduation Ceremony at the Caird Hall in Dundee.
“When we were travelling to that first chemotherapy session she was scared - I remember holding her hand and saying that it would be fine,” Sam said
“We’ve had to remain light-hearted to get through this, and after leaving that first session she looked at me and told me it wasn’t so bad and that chemotherapy would be plain sailing if it was going to be like this, and that her cancer didn’t know what had hit it.
Matilda wants to use her situation to raise awareness, and to encourage people to be aware of the signs of ovarian cancer.
Symptoms can include a bloated feeling, a swollen stomach and a loss of appetite.
She said: “It’s been important to both Sam and I to turn this situation into as much of a positive as we can. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to go to the doctor.”
“Sam has been taking care of me as I go through chemotherapy, yet he’s still managed to achieve his degree. I’m so proud of him. He’s such an inspiration to me.
“I can’t wait until graduation day, it’ll be so emotional to see him take to the stage. He’s worked so hard and it won’t be a day I’ll ever forget."