Knitting and other crafts offer comfort during cancer treatment.
Breast cancer support groups are intended to give women a place to share stories, vent frustrations and learn effective coping skills. They are also an opportunity to spend time with other women who share your pain, inconveniences, fears and hopes. Though talking is a therapeutic tool, it is not the only way to work through emotions and share time with fellow cancer patients. Craft activities offer an opportunity to channel your emotions into something tangible that might end up helping someone else.
Knitting
Knitting is a favorite hobby among all age groups. To many, the repetitive movements are comforting and meditative. Knitting is also easy to do when focused on other activities such as talking to friends. Women in support groups can participate in conversation and work on knitting projects that will provide comfort during treatment. Knitted hats help warm the heads of patients who have lost hair during cancer treatments. Draping a knitted blanket across your lap or legs during treatment provides comfort in an unpleasant time when you are sick or upset. If you have already knitted hats and blankets for yourself, consider giving newer projects to friends in your group or to the cancer ward at the hospital.
Scrapbooks
Creating a scrapbook allows you to focus on the positive things in your life. Though much of your time might be spent in treatment or worrying about disease and health, working on a scrapbook gives you a chance to think about your support system and things in your life not related to cancer. Another way to use a scrapbook is to cope with your negative emotions by putting them on paper. Women can work together to cut pictures from magazines, draw images by hand or write thoughts about their cancer-related emotions.
Jewelry
Cancer patients and survivors, as well as those who support them, wear jewelry intended to raise awareness and funds for curing the disease. If a support group works together to create several pieces, those pieces can be sold at a craft fair to raise money for cancer-related research. Jewelry can also be shared with other cancer patients. When your body is changing and you are in pain, it is a challenge to feel healthy and attractive. A thoughtfully made, pretty piece of jewelry may help you feel better about how you look.
Garden Decor
Spending time outdoors provides comfort for many who are coping with or healing from a disease. Gardens are an ideal location for meditation and prayer. If the women in your support group have home gardens, or if your support group meets in a garden, you can create garden crafts that bring peace and inspiration. Fill the garden with colorful globes, polished stones, ornate stepping stones and concrete plaques with inspirational quotes. All of these items, as well as wind-chimes, birdbaths and garden sculptures, can be handcrafted.
Tags: support group, your support, cancer patients, comfort during, during cancer
