I am struggling with a quilt that I am making....my sister is battling breast cancer and I also lost another sister a few years ago (cancer) My sister is in remission and hopefully its not coming back...she is very private with this...anyways I am making her a quilt. The top is done and I bought flannel backing with small pink ribbons. My husband thinks this is a terrible idea...for anyone out there that has battled cancer. What are your thoughts??? Should I use the flannel backing with the pink ribbons or would that be a constant reminder of the horrible ordeal she has gone through as my husband suggests? Thoughts??? When I emailed my folks I mentioned it and my husbands concern...when they emailed me back they did not mention it...now I am starting to think I am doing the wrong thing.

It is what it is. I just had breast cancer surgery in January and am now cancer free. I was lucky enough to receive a Breast Awareness quilt from an internet group. I love it! It is a reminder that I am a Survivor. Hope this helps.

I've never had cancer, but a coworker lost her mother to breast cancer at a young age and she may have to have her own breasts removed after childbearing. She HATES the whole pink ribbon thing. A friend of mine died a tortuous death from metastatic breast cancer, at age 35 or so. If I described it, you'd sob. It was very drawn out and gruesome. You wouldn't think a person could live in that condition for as long as she did. Sometimes I feel like the friend who hates pink ribbons, that it's all cutesy and not going to help. But when I see the Hancock building in Chicago with pink lights in October, I think, well, at least folks care. So try to figure out which side if this your sister is on, most days.

I have not battled cancer, but if your sister has been very private with it all, the back you have in mind may not be right for her quilt. I am curious to see what cancer survivors say about this.

How sweet of you to make your sister a quilt though. You are so thoughtful.

Please use the backing as you intended. Pink ribbons are for awareness. They will be a reminder that she is indeed a survivor!!! :)

of all the people i know who have gone through this terrible ordeal, the most of them think the ribbon thing is way over done and think it is a big joke. i believe the original intention was to draw "awareness" to the disease, and the cancer victims do not need additional awareness, so to speak. maybe she does not need a "reminder" of her cancer. something to think about. she will treasure your beautiful thoughts of her either way.

Wow, I never though of it that way. I love the pink ribbons....I think they remind me of all the people going through such a horrible ordeal. I honestly dont think anything bad about them, so I would use them if it were me, JMHO!

I am a 16 year breast cancer survivor and those pink ribbons represent HOPE..and CURE...and FAITH....and SUPPORT....and I know that I am a part of a group of women and men, that I've never met, where there's an unspoken bond.....Bring on the PINK......I am thankful for every pink ribbon I see...

People handle things differently, so knowing your sister is a very private person, and having lost one sister (of which I'm so very sorry), If you are unsure, maybe you could ask your sister how she would feel about it...

Wishing you both the very best...Stay positive and keep the faith......

San
FL

I'd just ask her. You say she's been very private about her situation - that makes me think she wouldn't want to have the pink ribbons as a constant reminder of what might lay ahead, but she may say that it would be a comforting reminder of what she's been able to put behind her.

If you'd prefer to keep the quilt a secret for the time being, then I'd probably use something else for the backing - something that either coordinates with the colors used in the top or something that is more reflective of her life (horses for a horse-lover, mountains for an out-doorsy person, coffee mugs for a coffee lover, etc.).

I hope you'll come back and share pictures when you're finished!

I say go with your gut feelings. You obviously have some doubts. Listen to your "inner angel" and you'll do the right thing. She's lucky to have you for a sister-you care so much.