These little pillows are very popular with patients who have had Mastectomy surgery. They are small 10"x11" with a velcro fastened shoulder strap and a small pillow insert 10"x10". I made a completed one in about 1 hour tonight.

I have been writing down some instructions and was wondering if one of you talented ladies might help me do a tutorial. Please PM me if you can help me out.

Here is a picture of mine finished.

Jan in VA

Could you tell us how these are used, please? I only have experience with ovarian cancer.

Jan in VA

As a Survior/Fighter, from my experience it wasn't the removal of my breast that hurt so much as the removal of the lymph nodes under my left arm. The little pillow that I got the day of my surgery was a life saver! You stick it under your arm and hold it against your side/armpit.

I just got a new one in the mail today because my dogs chewed up the first one

Coyotemagic described it perfect. The strap is adjustable to wear over your shoulder which helps to hold it in place. They also provide some support from a car seat belt, support your chest when you cough. These are new to me and everyone is wanting one. I am looking for locals to help get 25 made quickly. They are very easy to make, I just need someone to help me with properly describing the process.

I would help if I don't have to leave town for the rest of the week. I'm anxious to see your tutorial and make some for cancer chapter. Bless you.

What a great idea, good luck in getting it all together for your tutorial I think alot of people would be interested.

Bless you. You are an angel for making these pillows to be used by breast cancer patients after surgery. Words can't describe the relief they provided when tucked under an arm after surgery and during the recovery period.

Great job, we did some of those earlier this year. With the tutorial, make a pic of every step and don't forget to mention the measurements. Sorry can't help you any further with that. Good luck!

[quote=COYOTEMAGIC]As a Survior/Fighter, from my experience it wasn't the removal of my breast that hurt so much as the removal of the lymph nodes under my left arm. The little pillow that I got the day of my surgery was a life saver! You stick it under your arm and hold it against your side/armpit.

I was given a small pillow, but it did not have the little strap to rest the
pillow, which would have been really nice. This is a great gift.Marilyn

Never heard of those, sounds like a brilliant idea!

Did you purchase the 10 x 10 pillow insert or make it?


Survivor, they gave me a pillow and Mother made me some smaller ones as well. 18 years later the pillows still help. Yes, there is still physical discomfort due to lymph node removal and extensive surgery & radiation in the area. I am so blessed to be so healthy now, 18 years later.

You are an angel to make these for survivors. Bless you!

[quote=GGinMcKinney]Did you purchase the 10 x 10 pillow insert or make it?


I made the little insert pillow. I can make 8 out of 40" x 42" of fabric. I have my instructed typed out so if anyone would like to try my method out, please PM me and I will send them to you. I really would like to test my instructions before posting them for the world to use. Thanks

What do you stuff the pillow with? Also, do you donate them to a Cancer institute-like at the local hospital, or is there a better way to donate?

I would love to give your instructions a whirl! Can you pm them to me?

These are called an "Anti-Ouch Pouch" - Sew News April/May 2008 had directions. The pattern and detailed instructions are in the Nancy's Notions section "gift of kindness" or a similar name...go all the way down to the bottom of the page and "Anti'Ouch Pouch" is listed...gives instructions with pictures...they refer to them as hanging pillows. If you can't find it, send me a pm.

Good luck with your project,,,I try to keep one or two on hand. Comes in two sizes.

I have 3 testers for my tutorial so I hope to be able to share with the whole world in a few days. I know you will all want to make one to donate to your local hospital gift shop, cancer chapter, and/or special friend.

Looking forward to the tute. My DSIL just had a mastectomy and these could be very helpful. Thanks for sharing this.

Am interested in a tute.

Nice

I sent you a PM for the directions. What a great idea!

Thank you all for your response. I have 3 people who will test my instructions so I hope by Friday this week I will be able to post the instructions for everyone interested to use and share with your friends.

I checked out some pillows that places sell online and the prices are somewhere around $24.99 + shipping. Our pillows will be free and it's so nice to help someone with a nice little gift that is free. They have enough expenses dealing with their treatments, etc.

Check back Friday for the pattern release. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness and responses.

Here is the direct link to the pattern: http://www.asg.org/files/projects/Anti_Ouch_Pouch.pdf

This is a little different than hers.. with this one, the pillow isnt separate from the cover, its all one. I like how she has created one where the cover is separate, and can be washed. :)

I had a two separate surgeries for lumpectomies two years ago when I was 25, and I can't imagine the pain would have been as bad as a mastectomy, but those pillows sure would have helped anyway. I wish I'd had one then. What a great idea! I look forward to the tutorial so I can file it away if I ever need it (hopefully not, though!).

I would love to learn how to make them. I am sure the hospital here would appreciate getting some of them.

Looking forward to the tutorial. That would be a terrific idea for our sewing club to make.

Mary

This is sooo awesome, my bosses wife just started dealing with this, she has stage 2 breast cancer, but it is in the lymphnodes (sp) she just had surgery this past week, she is getting the drain out hopefully next week (her son's wedding is this weekend and she is depressed she has to keep the drain in for the wedding)....I would love to give her one of these.

I'm also looking forward to a tutorial. Then I can make (at least) a few and donate them to patients in the hospital where I work!

What a wonderful thing to make. They will help save someone from pain.