Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: grandma3
Date: 04-01-2006, 01:10 PM (1 of 14)
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Hello Everyone, I have been away for awhile due to cancer surgery. While in the hospital I had to have a trach put and it has been removed waiting to heal. While in the hospital the nurses wrapped two "rough" wash cloths up and taped them so I could hold it close to the trach area to cough. Not very comfortable. LOL I have been sitting here at home trying to come up with a better way to make patients comfortable and trying to design such a tool and I use that word loosely, to make patients feel more cozy. If anyone has any ideas that I could use I would be much appreciated. I am currently taking strips of fleece and wrapping them up tight as possible to come to the same width and heighth as the wrapped wash cloths. Then I did a whipped stitch to enclose them. I would like to start making soft things for cancer patients such as this. Everyone needs a little TLC and I am ready to do whatever I can do to help them, especially since I am personally one of those people. Thanks everyone. It's good to be home. Mim grandma358 |
User: grandma3
Member since: 01-19-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: guppie
Date: 04-01-2006, 02:30 PM (2 of 14)
Welcome home, Grandma3!  And welcome to the board, too. It's wonderful that you see a need and want to do something to help others. Please tell me abit more about what you need with the trach cloths. I take it you no longer need the trach with the tube and the skin and trachea are in the healing stages? Are you trying to hold the cloth against the trach area when you cough to provide some light pressure to prevent the hole from opening more, or is it to catch coughed up mucus? Depending on what the need is would change what I would suggest for fabric and how it is made, and either washable or disposable. I am a nurse and have worked with many patients with trachs, and would like to help you here. I'm sure others will have many ideas, too. I wish you all the best  !_____________________ Cathy Cathy
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User: guppie
Member since: 12-29-2004 Total posts: 43 
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From: ninifav
Date: 04-01-2006, 10:51 PM (3 of 14)
| grandma3, hope that you are doing better...so kind of you to want to make it better for those who have to walk in your shoes... |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 04-01-2006, 11:59 PM (4 of 14)
OH BOY ANOTHER BUCKEYE!!!!!!!!!!  Welcome to the site, I am sure that you will get lots of help with your project here.
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User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: esrun3
Date: 04-04-2006, 12:15 AM (5 of 14)
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Welcome to the boards Grandma 3-glad that you are healing and that things are working out for you. What a wonderful idea to try and make something for others that would make them feel more comfortable and cared for. The trach pts I have taken care of usually just have a 4x4 over their trach opening while it is healing. Something softer would definitely be nicer. Not sure what your nurses did with the washcloth but how about a small square of flannel-if it needs "padding" it could be made like a potholder. Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: grandma3
Date: 04-04-2006, 05:50 AM (6 of 14)
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My trach tube is out and I need the soft pressure to help with the healing process. Doc told me yesterday that it will be at least 6 months before it will close completely. I am experimenting with different types of fabric but I think the flannel is an excellent idea or fleece. I was thinking of making it like a pillow with a some kind of disposable pillow case. All kinds of ideas have been forming in my brain lately. LOL This is something I really feel strongly about. I am hoping to have at least 10 done to take back to the hospital on April 17th to see what my former nurses think about. In the form of a soft 4 x 4 pad sounds like an awesome idea. All the nurses did was take 2 wash cloths and roll them up and taped them in the middle. Not my idea of comfortable. Thanks for all the ideas everyone and for the welcome back. I couldn't sleep this early morning hour so I am up praying and meditating and check on what everyone has to say. God Bless you all! Mim |
User: grandma3
Member since: 01-19-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-04-2006, 06:40 AM (7 of 14)
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Mim, here is a site you might enjoy... lots of links that might be helpful (and even inspirational). http://www.angelsforhope.org/links/links3.html pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: stephi
Date: 04-04-2006, 09:12 AM (8 of 14)
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Thats sounds good. You know the hospitol has that mat they put on beds that is like a papertowel on one side and plastic on the other. Maybe they will give you a few to fashion a pillow case for your trachillows, they are pretty big so you should be able to make plenty of them out of one sheet. Stephi Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 04-04-2006, 10:22 AM (9 of 14)
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Grandma3 - It's great that you want to help others, especially since you know what it's like firsthand! What about a 4x4 sized little quilt with some cushy material in-between the fabric? It may give a little softness to the healing area? Just an idea.............. - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 04-04-2006, 12:40 PM (10 of 14)
Grandma3, I'm glad you are home and you will be in my prayers...I think it's wonderful you are wanting to help others 
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-04-2006, 02:26 PM (11 of 14)
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Grandma3, welcome to the boards of Sew Whats New. I wish you a very speedy recovery.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: linapooh1
Date: 04-04-2006, 02:49 PM (12 of 14)
| im also from ohio |
User: linapooh1
Member since: 03-10-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: debsews
Date: 04-04-2006, 04:01 PM (13 of 14)
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Hi grandma3 from Ohio and all the other Buckeye's! I'm from Ohio and now in Florida. Trying to get back to Ohio because that's where my babies are!!! Good luck on the cancer surgery and healing. Wonderful of you to make something to help others. Only after we're in a position do we sometimes get these ideas. I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 04-04-2006, 05:37 PM (14 of 14)
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Welcome Grandma3. Have you been in touch yet with the local chapter of the New Voice Club? Typically a tremendous source of strength, suppport, and humor, they've all been through this, and will have ideas both about what worked for them and what improvements could be made. I'm sure they'll have a ton of encouragement for you, all the way down your path. If you have trouble finding out more about them, your cancer surgeon's (ENT or oncologist?) office should be able to give you contact info for them and possibly a local meeting time and place. Your speech Language Pathologist too. And if they can't, then Private Message me and I'll help you find them.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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