Knitting for others has the potential to impact the knitter as much as the intended recipient. Something of us is knit into every stitch and when we knit with special intentionality, the product carries this with it.I just finished a shawl for my sister Sally who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a breast cancer survivor of 13 years and this is a different kind of cancer. What are the odds she would draw this lot again? My thoughts when I learned of the diagnosis is that I wish I could take this one for her (really? probably not--I'm not very heroic), but I instantly realized that's not one of the options.
Turns out the options aren't great, but then, life is. So anything that gives more of that is just wonderful. Sally can see it that way--that's one of the gifts she's been given. She has new/different support this time with a husband, twin boys, and many friends, including other survivors.
Knitting the shawl, which is not particularly remarkable knitting but some great yarn and colors, gave me an outlet for my frustration and anxiety about the situation. I could turn that into peace and comfort for Sally. I shared with her last night on the phone that I kept getting asked by customers what I was knitting and that I must have shared her story with 30 people. Thirty more people to support her in this situation. That was my (unknown at the time) intentionality in knitting this shawl.
It goes in the mail today with this note:
This shawl brings you
- comfort
- healing
- centering calm
Update from Sally:
ReplyDeleteWe have spent the past few weeks undergoing tests and consulting with doctors. Yesterday I received the good news that the cancer is not in my lymph nodes. I am scheduled to undergo a bi-lateral (yes, that means both) mastectomy and reconstruction on October 9. We are planning for eight weeks of recovery. This may be followed with chemo and/or endocrine therapy.
I will also undergo genetic testing to see if I carry the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation. If I carry one of the identified mutations I will have my ovaries removed to prevent ovarian cancer. As the doctor I spoke with yesterday pointed out, two occurrences of breast cancer prior to age 50 indicates a gene mutation. The question is whether or not it is one of the identified mutations. Keep us in your thoughts.
Update:
ReplyDeleteSurgery delayed until 10/30.
Sally is recovering very well. She isn't even taking pain medicine. Thanks to Curt and all her friends and co-workers for taking such good care of her.
ReplyDelete