Sisters...all kinds

My sister, Debra, was diagnosed in January with breast cancer...she has faced the chemo, mastectomy and radiation with amazing bravery and faith in God to carry her through this valley and heal her.
My sister-in-law, Betty from Arkansas, and I took a little trip in the spring to spend a few days with her and it was so beautiful we took a little tour of Skyline Drive in Virginia.

We laughed, cried and enjoyed just being together.















In June Debra and I spent 3 weeks together when she had her mastectomy. Much of the time it seemed like we were little girls again sharing a bedroom, secrets, laughing and giggling in the dark and faking as if we were sleeping when Mom came to check on us. Then reality would hit when it was time for her pain pills or to "strip her drains". It made me realize how deeply thankful I am to have a God that see, feels and hears me...and also comforts and gives me peace. Jill, another sister-in-law from Ohio, was able to spend a couple of days with us during her surgery and the first couple of days back at home...it was GREAT having her there. She is a nurse, and has such a gentle way about her and calmly assured us that we could take care of Deb's medical needs...peace...God sent her too.

After a mastectomy, the woman goes home with a couple of drain tubes that might be left in place for 6 or more weeks. I referred to "stripping" them earlier and that is a procedure to get the contents into a little ball at the end of the drain line so you can measure output...eww. Anyway, the drain is about 3 feet long and can be quite um...unsightly when you are out in public, so we tried several things to hide them when we went out...then I remembered that Debra (Queen Knitter), had made a little coin purse a few months earlier, and had not actually used it for anything. It is adorable and was just the right size to hold the drains (and the little ball things), and she could tie it to her belt loops and it just looked like a cute accessory.

When we went for her appointments and back to the chemo lab to visit other patients, she showed them the little bag and everyone fell in love with it and those who had already gone through the surgery wished they'd had something like it...so, a great idea was born...Debra decided to make the little bags and take them to the cancer wellness center that had been so supportive and helpful to her throughout her diagnosis and treatment. They already hand out packets to cancer patients filled with goodies that are all ideas born very similarly to the idea of the "drain bag". The Center was thrilled with the idea to have another item to add to the packets for patients who needed them.

From there, she talked to some yarn shops in her area who are all donating yarn, acting as drop-off locations for the bags, and giving discounts to those involved in making the bags. Deb has already picked up several bags from "Never Enough Yarn", the shop that was first on the band wagon. A new knitting group has started at the wellness center, all survivors, and they want to make the little bags for others.

Here's a couple that we've made recently...and some from the yarn shop. The name for the project is Sisters Helping Sisters.





People really do want to do good things for others...everyone needs a chance to get in on something like this...check out a group in your neighborhood and see what kind of a difference you can make in someone's life.