Breast Cancer DIY
...created by women with breast cancer, for women and men with breast cancer!
What can I do?
How can I help?
I'd like to do something,
but I don't know what to do!
These questions come up again and again on how we can give back to those we care about while our loved ones go through the journey of breast cancer.
Here are some ideas that we hope will help you.
Mastectomy Pillows
A very special way of giving to others...
Directions for Mastectomy Pillows
Don't stress over these pillows - it is not brain surgery
they can be a tad larger or smaller - these are sizes
that have worked for me. Adjust size of pillow cover
to undersize or oversize pillows.
Pillow:
Use soft white/beige cotton materials
All seams are 1/4"
Cut a piece 16" by 11" ( or 2 --- 8" x 11")
Fold material to make a 8" x 11" piece or put 2 pieces together
Sew the edges (1/4" seam) - leaving one short side for stuffing.
Turn inside out and use steam iron to make edges flat
Stuffing:
I use batting used for quilts --
cut a piece 14" x 10"
Fold to form 7" x 10" piece and insert in prepared pillow casing
Use Fiberfill type stuffing – in between the layers of quilt batting
(This allows for it being fluffy without lumps)
Do not overfill -- pillow should not be more than about 2 1/2" in
height when you finish stuffing. Shift stuffing so there are no lumps.
Turn the edges inward where you stuffed pillow - so no frayed edges
are present -- sew the two ends together using 1/4" seam
Pillow cover
Use "happy fabric of 100% cotton"
finished size: 8" x 11" approximately
Cut : 14" x 16" or 2 - 14" x 8 1/2"
(If you can use selvage for the 14" side you save having to do an extra fold
If you cannot use selvage - you can either turn the end over, or use pinking shears)
Sew the 16" side -2" to make the open end of the pillowcase.
(if you need to do a double fold so no frayed edges are open - do it before you sew it)
Fold material in half and sew to make the pillow cover.
The love you sew into your pillow will help beyond measure!
You can also add a saying or sentiment to the pillow cover. Ours says:
"A gift to you from
Breast Cancer DIY
www.breastcancerdiy.com
Do It Yourself, But Not Alone!"
HOW TO USE PILLOW:
The pillow is to be used after surgery. You put it under the affected arm, so when your arm is at your side, it does not put pressure on the stitches, or create pressure on the breast area that has stitches. This small pillow can be used in either direction, whichever is most comfortable. Many people use it the long way, finding it more comfortable when walking around; and the short way when sitting. This way it doesn't bunch up, or create pressure. It can be used whichever way feels best, there is not right or wrong way, just what feels good for you.
Don't want to sew, but still want a pillow? click here
Special Thank You to:
Judy, Cynthia, Heidi, and Marianne (Needles & Pins Long Arm Quilting) in Hemet, CA for helping us make pillows!
As of November, 2009: BCDIY has made and supplied 164 mastectomy pillows to the patients in Riverside County, CA.
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Website -or- Blog = Staying In Touch
You want to keep in touch with family and friends, and want an easier way to this besides sending out daily emails,
So here are a couple of ideas to help you create a website or blog for FREE, which you can update on your own time, or a friend can do it for you!
Build it yourself (very easy), or get together with friends and family, and make it fun event. You can add pictures, videos. Create something that is totally You...
CaringBridge.com: CarePages.com:
http://www.caringbridge.org/ http://www.carepages.com/
BlogSpot.com: FaceBook:
https://www.blogger.com/start http://www.facebook.com/
FreeWebs.com: WordPress.com:
http://www.freewebs.com http://wordpress.com/
Caring Candles:
http://www.caring.com/register/to_make_candles
Angelight Worry Stone
This companion angel easily fits in the palm of your hand and comes to remind you that you are not alone. Small enough to fit in a pocket or purse it can be used as a "worry" bead when life seems overwhelming.
Rolling it around in one hand or passing it from one hand to another can help relieve the stress and tension that worry creates. It can even serve to remind you to pray.
Wherever you go, this companion angel will keep your worries.
A.R.E. Catalog:
http://arebookstore.com/product.asp?pn=818&sid=WC12208P&eid=E122008&lm=areb
Additional Worry Stones:
http://www.dailyom.com/cgi-bin/display/productgroup.cgi?pid=988
Breast Cancer Fashions
Often we don't know what to buy or give that person going through breast cancer. Some things you might want to give strictly from yourself, or you might want to get together with a few other people and purchase something nice. Whatever you decide, please know that your generosity and love will be appreciated.
Please check our Fashion: Post Mastectomy webpage.
Also, click here to shop at iLovinglyRemember.com, and a percentage of your purchase will help fund Breast Cancer DIY! 
Starting Your Own Group
Sometimes it’s not always easy to drive to a support group in another city – especially with today’s economy. You might be thinking about creating a support group in your town, and we hope these references will help you:
Living with Breast Cancer:
A Guide for Facilitating Self-Help Groups
see at Amazon.com
ISBN-13: 978-1896998077
Cancer Self-Help Groups: A Guide
see at Amazon.com
ISBN-10: 1552094782
ISBN-13: 978-1552094785
Check with your local library!
Donate Your Hair:
Before you lose your hair to chemotherapy, please consider donating your hair to Wigs For Kids:
Other Ideas...
Some other tips:
Many of these items can be obtained by contacting your local breast cancer/oncology offices.
Offer to drive your friend to Doctor Visits. Cancer magazine subscription. (see our list) Breast Cancer books. (see our list) Make something yourself, from your heart, even breast cancer shoelaces are fun! Help them research the information they want and need from the internet or library. Simply listen!
Breast Cancer Network of Strength:
What can I do to help?
http://www.networkofstrength.org/support/caring/lotsa.php
How to Help Your Friend:
Kelly Corrigan, Circus of Cancer
http://www.circusofcancer.org/HTH-toc.html
Cleaning For A Reason: Professional Cleaning for Breast Cancer Patients
http://www.cleaningforareason.org/
Quilt of Cancer Scarves
Here is a unique idea for anybody (friend or family) of somebody you know with breast cancer:
Linda Hill in Hemet, CA made a quilt from her daughter, Debi Givens, breast cancer scarves that she wore during and after chemotherapy. This is a fabulous idea, and one that we find heartfelt. Here is the finished product:
We are offering a "Quilt Raffle", please see our webstore for more information on how you can win a quilt for someone you love! click here
Come visit our ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BreastCancerDIY
Making Memories...
Their mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness. At Making Memories, they are dedicated to providing a spark of joy into the lives of women and men who are losing their battle against breast cancer. We are happy to promote this wonderful organization.http://www.makingmemories.org/
Never waste an opportunity to
tell someone you love them.
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