Hello to all, I'm usually someone who flits in and lurks and then leaves but since we are Mostly women I thought to make you aware of something that you might not be aware of...when a person has a mastectomy ( or other surgeries) they have drain bags put in their body for a short time, these bags are attached by long tubes that pull on the skin when the patient walks around...a marvelous person has "invented" PRETTY POCKETS ( you can google that and it will pull up t he site) . These pockets go over the drain bags and you can tie them to a belt that the patient is wearing and the pullling on the skin stops...they are suffering enough and this is a huge help. I am suggesting that we all make some and donate them to your local hospital or breast cancer surgery. I have just presented the idea to our local volunteer organizer at our newest hospital and am waiting to hear back what fabric type they want them made from. Yes, breast cancer becomes personal when its someone you care about. Just a thought. Now, everyone back to your stitching...Hugs,Pat

I had a mastectomy in 2012 and I was given one of the crescent shaped cushions and I found it wonderful especially at night in bed. But as I was told over and over again everybody is different and we all need help to find what suits us best.

What a WONDERFUL project for us Cuties to take on....please update us and let us know the 'how' and 'where' to send them.
Thank you
Hugs

I had a mastectomy in 2003. I was told in advance to bring a sports bra to wear home. The little drain bag was pinned to the bra. When I showered I would put on another sports bra and pin on the bag. I had
no problem with it. In 2013 I had a lumpectomy and was sent home with
a BIG FAT Stuffed Heart furnished by the Am. Cancer Soc. I had already
made a crescent shape stuffed-lightly pillow that would hang on my shoulder. I had gotten the instructions from here from a Cutie. It came
from Australia. I had taken it to the Am. Cancer Soc. to show them and
they said it would have to be approved by Main offices of the Am.
Cancer Soc. before they could even consider it. In my opinion my
Ala Crimson Tide pillow was far better and freed up my arm and yet
it stayed in place without holding it all the time. I used it for about 5
days. I went shopping and 2 men told me they liked my purse. I hope
that the hurdles can be cleared and approval given and patterns
made so we can make and donate. Maureen

1 comment

by lbrow 23 Nov 2014

I have made so many of these I have lost count through the yrs. That's one of the things we do fot the Women's Club. I make the pillows and turbans for the cancer Society. they are all donated/Lillian

Wowwwwwwwwwww i never knew thanks

Fabulous idea!

See my post today with all the info & link. Hugs.

I had a mastectomy in 2002. Two days after my surgery I was home and first thing I did was make a bag to carry my "drainbox". It was a greta help if I wanted to be mobile and I think your idea is great. I will look up "pretty pockets".
ElizabethAK

Is there a link we can go to to see what these look like and how to make them?

Wow. Didn't know that.

I am watching and maybe I can help in the future.

My sewing friends, Serger Suzies, made several yds worth of the bags & I took them to the breast center at UT Hospital. They then were given to the surgeons to give out as needed. Go to either Designs By Sick or maybe google pretty pockets and you will get all the info. There are certain guide lines. Flannel is the fabric, but washed a couple times. The size is specific. DBS may still have the info there with who to contact & she will email you a pattern. If you can't find it, let me know. There's also a tag to attach. Great project.

Nice thought and gesture. Let us know how they recieve it.