Little Things

A while ago, a friend of mine sent me a knitted false breast pattern for women who have had mastectomies. She asked me if I could redesign it in crochet. I did, and it has been well-received. I have gotten numerous comments on it from people who have donated scores of them to cancer centers and oncologists’ offices around the world.

Here is a picture of the one I made:

And yes, I pierced the nipple. I was being silly. Not quite sure now why I made it in teal, though.

Yesterday, I got this comment:

You have saved my sanity! I cannot thank you enough for this pattern. I had a mastectomy 4 years ago after a botched lumpectomy. At the time, prostheses were available free of charge (in Australia), but when I elected to have a prophylactic mastectomy 2 years later, they were no longer free & would have cost $800AUD. Of course, I couldn’t afford this, so have been wearing a liftup bra with a removeable bag which is SO uncomfortable & HOTTTTT. Now, I can wear all my pretty bras again. Again, thanks for giving me my life back. Warmest regards, [Name redacted]

My heart is so full right now. A simple, little thing that took all of an hour to re-work and crochet has given this woman and others like her a second chance to reclaim a piece of their femininity.

I am in awe of all survivors out there.