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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: pretnichols
Date: 04-30-2007, 03:12 PM (1 of 15)
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Okay, I've been searching the WWW without success. I'll keep looking but I'm hoping someone who is better at it can help me in my quest. I have a very close relative who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last week. She will begin chemo next week. Somewhere along the way, I recall a website that put together care packages (and listed the contents) of what someone who is facing chemo, surgery and/or radiation for breast cancer, specifically. I would really like to do one of these bags up for her, but cannot find the info. Even you are a survivor and are willing to share some thoughts or ideas on what would have helped! I am open to all suggestions and websites. I am not adverse to making things either, but I am looking for specific items that will help her the most as she undergoes treatment & surgery. Please let me know if you have suggestions! Thanks. Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: siwian
Date: 04-30-2007, 06:09 PM (2 of 15)
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I found this site: http://www.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-89578/ it has gifts and links to other sites that provide items for Breast Cancer Patients. http://www.circusofcancer.org/HTH-1.html This site has some nice ideas of things to do as well as items to make a nice gift. I found some really nice ideas. Now to make them masculine. My husband was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March. We meet with the surgeon Wednesday. DH has put off the original surgery date last month. Hope one of these sites helps. |
User: siwian
Member since: 12-27-2001 Total posts: 114 
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From: pretnichols
Date: 04-30-2007, 07:59 PM (3 of 15)
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Thank you so much for those sites. I've looked at both. I've gotten a few ideas and will continue to search for more.
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-30-2007, 09:00 PM (4 of 15)
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When one of my best friends--friend--found out she had cancer (not breast) my friend wanted to do something for her. We came up with the idea of a quilt with pictures of her children/grandchildren, and of the 4 girls who have been good friends for a long time. It was very simple, 5 by 7 pictures and some colorful fun prints. She went through years of chemo, then be in remission, then back to chemo as it was spreading. She has often said when she is getting her chemo and wonders if this is worth it, she looks at her quilt and says yes. Just an idea.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 05-01-2007, 12:53 PM (5 of 15)
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Hmmm. something like that might work. She has 5 kids and sends me photos at Christmas. I've gotten them for at least the past 10 years, and I know that they are going to be her inspiration! Now I've got to go find them. Or I could ask her oldest daughter to get school pictures for me.
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Bama
Date: 05-01-2007, 07:13 PM (6 of 15)
| Is she having a mastectomy? A friend of mine had one about 12 years ago and the hospital gave her a care package that had a t-shirt inside that had velcro closures on the side (she couldn't lift her arm) and a pocket on the side for the drainage bag she had to wear home. Her husband brought it to me so I could make a couple more for her. It was just a regular t-shirt that has been cut open and velcro added to close it. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 05-01-2007, 07:43 PM (7 of 15)
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That's a good idea Bama. I'll have to remember it. A friend of mine had a single mastectomy some years ago and has decided her birthday present next year is either going to be a reconstruction on the missing breast or to get the remaining breast removed. She is sick of being lopsided. Deciding factor might be that the remaining breast has decided to compensate for the absence of it's mate and is getting bigger all the time (all is okay with it). It has grown about 3 cup sizes in the last couple of years. A tshirt like this would be handy whatever decision she makes. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 05-01-2007, 09:23 PM (8 of 15)
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She will be having a mastectomy, but not until after some chemo treatments. It is too large/spread out for them to remove it before then. I like the t-shirt idea. Did you just slit it up the entire side? Under the arm too? Would you still pull it over the head? Can you PM me some simple instructions? I'm also researching the sensitive skin issue with lotions, soaps, etc. Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Bama
Date: 05-02-2007, 07:41 AM (9 of 15)
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Yes, I just slit it up the side and put matching bias tape on the edges and added velcro to close it. She had surgery only on the one side. She didn't have to take the whole shirt off to check on the drainage tube. I also opened it down the front and did the same thing to make it even easier to get dressed. Here I put a printed fabric binding on the edges. I pretty much copied the one the hospital gave her. The most important part to her was the pocket for the drainage tube. The hospital told her that a group of ladies sew the shirts and donates them to the cancer center. After she recovered, she donated the ones I made back to them. I also did a gown like that for her. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: siwian
Date: 05-02-2007, 08:03 PM (10 of 15)
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Bama, Is the pocket for the drainage bag on the inside of the shirt or on the outside? I found out today that it will be my job to take care of the drainage tube/bag. I know my dh will appreciate a couple of tee shirts he can put on by himself. Thanks for your help. Over on the craftster charity board there is a post about making small pillows or small crocheted balls for chemo patients. These are for the patients to squeeze. Not sure if it is for increasing muscle strength or for venting or both. |
User: siwian
Member since: 12-27-2001 Total posts: 114
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From: Bama
Date: 05-02-2007, 11:05 PM (11 of 15)
You know what? I can't remember if the pocket was on the inside or the outside. It was 12 years ago when I made them. Seems like it was on the outside, but I'll ask my friend I made them for to make sure. BTW, she's still cancer free.  Best wishes to your family members. When my SIL was having treatments for cancer a couple of years ago, I made her some chemo hats. I made a couple from fleece and a couple of cotton knit ones for wearing on warmer days. The Sewing with Nancy site has patterns for some and I also found free patterns for them at Hancock Fabrics. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: PaulineG
Date: 05-03-2007, 12:55 AM (12 of 15)
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Siwian - best wishes for yourself and your husband. It's dreadful for anybody to have to go through this but at least us women have each other for support and advice. I'm guessing that with the much fewer numbers of men suffering from this type of cancer, support (geared to males) would be a lot thinner on the ground.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: siwian
Date: 05-04-2007, 05:03 PM (13 of 15)
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There is very little support for this specific cancer, however, he has a very good support system in general. He is on the prayer list at our church, with several people at our school, and others within the community, as well as his family and mine. Not really anyone to talk to about what he is going thru, but then he waited till he had all the test results before he even told me there was a problem. He is very positive, (still in denial stage?) that the surgery will take care of the problem and that at the most he will have to have hormone therapy. |
User: siwian
Member since: 12-27-2001 Total posts: 114
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From: siwian
Date: 05-24-2007, 12:41 PM (14 of 15)
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We just got home from the hospital. DH had surgery at 7:30 am, was out by 9:30 and we left the hospital at 11:30. The after surgery report from the dr. was that the lymph nodes are clear, the right side is clear and that it appears that they got all the mass in the left side. He is sitting at the computer and talking on the phone. Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers. At this time, he doesn't even need the special tee shirt I made and does not need the pocket even if he needs the open side seam when the pain meds. wear off. (no drainage bag/tubes) |
User: siwian
Member since: 12-27-2001 Total posts: 114
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From: PaulineG
Date: 05-24-2007, 05:12 PM (15 of 15)
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This all sounds pretty good so far. It must be one of the few times to be glad when all your sewing efforts have been unused. Hopefully his recovery and prognosis so far continue at the same rate and very soon this is all a dim unpleasant memory to you both. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
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