OT questions about chemo treatments

I was a medical transcriptionist for oncology for over 20 years, 13 of which were in a hospital oncology unit. Our chemo patients were always cold. There was only one thermostat so the rest of us roasted so they could stay warm. My husband is a dialysis patient, and they too get very cold while on dialysis. Most bring their quilts, blankets, or throws with them to keep warm.

A 9-year-old girl had to come back for another round of chemo, sat on my lap, and just cried her heart out. She knew she was going to lose her hair and the kids would make fun of her and her wig, and she knew she was going to throw up for a couple days after each chemo treatment (don't remember what drug she was getting). I can't draw worth a darn, so I asked one of my co-workers if she would draw a picture of a stomach, draw different kinds of food in the stomach, then put a stop sign at the top of the stomach so the food could't come up. That sweet child came to me every day she had chemo and we prayed she wouldn't lose her hair this time, and every day she had chemo she held that picture in her hands. She didn't lose her hair and was able to control her stomach to the point she didn't throw up. Anything you can do to keep her attitude strong and positive will help.

I second that suggestion. The two women that I have given satin pillow cases to later told me that the pillow cases were very helpful.

Louise in WA

Leslie, I had a family member who went through treatments (radiation, chemo) for breast cancer some years ago. She found that wigs were simply too hot in the Tucson summers, and Phoenix is even hotter. I ended up buying her cotton bandannas in every color I could find, and she loved those. They absorbed moisture and prevented sunburn. HTH.

Great idea, Polly! Thanks! Now, do you have a cheap source (yardage and shipping) for Minkee?

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

No, Leslie, I don't. That's why I was growling about generic substitutes. The stuff I found at fabric.com is nice but so is potato soup. Just not what I was looking for. Real Minkee has a gentle feel no matter which way you glide your hand over it; the double-faced minky I bought is kind of rough against grain. Not, of course, like a cat's tongue but still not the comfort of Minkee. IMHO. Polly

"Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." asked > Great idea, Polly! Thanks! Now, do you have a cheap source (yardage and

JoAnn's and the Hancock chain stores both have polyester satin that should stand up to machine washing and drying.

Julia in MN

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----------- Polly Esther wrote:

Okay, Polly, I'll search out the real thing Minkee. I think my Nancy's Notion catalog had the genuine stuff in it.

Now, since I've switched gears on mom's snuggle quilt from a batik backing to Minkee for the backing... my new game plan is to quilt the top onto Warm & White (without a backing) and then put a Minkee backing on it, tack it in several places where the tacking won't show much and then bind it in the batik. Will this work okay?

I've never used Minkee- should I pre-shrink it? Does it stretch? Is it bulky and 'furry' like the soft furry stuff on a stuffed animal or is it more like 'fabric'? Any warnings besides cut it outdoors- which I can't do as it's 18 degrees with a wind chill of 2 degrees. I'd rather vacuum the mess than cope with the wind and cold getting it cut to size.

Any other tips? :-/

Thanks!

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

Minkee does stretch, doesn't shrink (it's polyester) and quilts up beautifully! It's not really bulky and it is very soft and wonderful.......when it is cut, it is a bit messy but it isn't the edges unraveling, it's the fur part where it was cut that sheds. It's really not that bad. Again, it quilts up really nice. I have made a few and quilted them on my long arm - with batting.

Oh, oh! I feel badly that I steered you to fabric.com for the minkee, Poly. I didn't know it wasn't the real deal!

Something else to consider if you are going to use minkee & batting Leslie is that the quilt may end up being too heavy for your mom. Can you stand one more piece of advise about this quilt LOL! I think the purpose of the quilt is two fold, right? To keep her warm & to feel snuggly while she is going thru treatment. I think I would just try draping your quilt top over the batting & then over the minkee to see if it is too heavy. My friend made her MIL a lap quilt & backed it with minkee, but didn't use any batting, so it just felt snuggly & comforting. YMMV - I hate to give you another thing to think about!

Oh, Pauline, good thought! I don't want her hurting or uncomfortable from the weight! I'll check that carefully before I make a final decision on the layers.

I gotta brag here- man, did I get lucky! Mom dresses nicely- not expensively or anything- but very nice even just around the house. She owns ONE pair of jeans that she wears when she goes fishing with dad (seldom). She doesn't own a pair of sweats or anything like that. I keep hearing that with the chemo she will feel cold and that her skin will be sensitive. So..... this afternoon I went to my fave clothing store- they had their winter clearance sale with 80% off. Then today was another additional 40% off and my military ID got me another 15% off! I bought her 5 velour tops and matching pants- the set- marked from originally $66 each set and with all the discounts they cost me a whopping $4.08 for each *set*! And another two velour sets that are nice enough to wear to church or any place for a little bit more for those sets. Then I found some darling warm socks in silly patterns with hearts and dots and stripes, etc. and got 8 pairs of those and three slinky, soft microfiber long sleeved V-necked pullovers (with a little soft lace at the neckline and cuff area but where it won't be next to her skin) that are intended to be used like you'd wear long johns under your clothing. All told I got her an almost complete wardrobe of soft, snuggly, warm clothing for about $80- seven tops and pants, 8 pairs of socks and the three pullovers. I'm THRILLED!!!!!

Leslie- heavyweight-division shopper, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

That's definitely black belt shopping Leslie! I bow to the master! I hope your mom loves them!

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Another thing Leslie - you can make a shawl - a little bigger than normal - out of fleece - I just stitched on a couple of big pockets (only sewing involved) to hold kleenex, candies or whatever. Just having something that cozy wrapped around their shoulders helps to keep them warm too.

Sharon (N.B.)

Aha! I ordered an extra yard of Minkee for the backing, so I can do that! Thanks! I sure appreciate all these tips!

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

Another thing Leslie - you can make a shawl - a little bigger than normal - out of fleece - I just stitched on a couple of big pockets (only sewing involved) to hold kleenex, candies or whatever. Just having something that cozy wrapped around their shoulders helps to keep them warm too.

Sharon (N.B.)

No problem, Pauline. The minky has a beautiful soft nap on both sides and I am binding it with satin blanket binding. It's making very special blankets that I'm sure will snuggle some sweet wee babies very gently. The minky is yummy but I just thought that if Leslie wanted to make a pillowcase or two that she would want to use the very kindest one possible and that would be Minkee.

"Pauline" Oh, oh! I feel badly that I steered you to fabric.com for the minkee, Poly.

That is so very wonderful Leslie. Good for you for the idea; and the 'angels' that gave you so much discount - just at the moment you needed it. . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

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Leslie - if you go to this site, you'll see some really comfy hats - my sisters loved this style with a cute pin attached. Go to

Sharon (N.B.)