Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Melanie Testa's Flattie Awareness Pocket Project

Melanie Testa, a quilt artist, author, teacher and among other things, a Breast Cancer survivor, was challenged by a reporter to have 1000 pockets contributed and they would do a feature on her Flattie awareness. She chose not to have reconstructive surgery after her double mastectomy. I applaud that. I would do the same. My mother died 10 years ago at age 61 after a 6 year battle with BC. She had reconstruction. Maybe if she had not, the second round would not have been the path to the end. I happened to watch an episode of What Not to Wear this afternoon, and the young woman they were reworking had also opted for the same...officially a Flattie.  Many women could not even fathom such a decision I am sure. I think it is brave and sane.
So I am making one in memory of my mother, even though she wasn't a Flattie. I will make one in honor of my ex-husbands grandmother who was a uni-Flattie! I will make two for Melanie and her inspiring quest for all of us to consider this an option if we are ever diagnosed.
If you go to her blog, you can read the story. It explains the pocket idea so you understand the meaning of it. I urge any of my friends to make a pocket too! Please.

3 comments:

Martha Lorshbaugh said...

I just read an article about this. You're right, it's a brave choice!I'll head over to read more about it....

Jayardi said...

• • • I'm with you. I would have them both removed.

Melly Testa said...

Thank you so much!