[justgettingby]

I need someone to sew a children's size (boy 10-12) hospital gown. It's for my nephew. The little angel has been through hell the last 2 1/2 years. He had a liver transplant two and a half years ago. Then this summer he fought and won the battle against Post Transplant Lymphoma. He was officially in remission on January 3rd and happily returned back to his 5th grade class. He was all geared up for soccer tryouts this week. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, he was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma and has to begin an aggressive treatment schedule immediately.

He is a HUGE FSU Seminoles fan and is in Gator-land right now at Shand's in Gainesville. So I think he'd love to sport an FSU hospital gown while there.

If someone can sew this for me, I'll GLADLY pay and supply the fabric. I just have no clue where to even go for this, but I know it'd put a big smile on his face.

[dana]

I don't sew but I want to offer my prayers for your nephew. Hope he recovers quickly.

[LPPT]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 09:40 AM, said:

I need someone to sew a children's size (boy 10-12) hospital gown. It's for my nephew. The little angel has been through hell the last 2 1/2 years. He had a liver transplant two and a half years ago. Then this summer he fought and won the battle against Post Transplant Lymphoma. He was officially in remission on January 3rd and happily returned back to his 5th grade class. He was all geared up for soccer tryouts this week. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, he was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma and has to begin an aggressive treatment schedule immediately.

He is a HUGE FSU Seminoles fan and is in Gator-land right now at Shand's in Gainesville. So I think he'd love to sport an FSU hospital gown while there.

If someone can sew this for me, I'll GLADLY pay and supply the fabric. I just have no clue where to even go for this, but I know it'd put a big smile on his face.

Ask Pat at Pat's apparel, she and her husband Chuck always love the opportunity to do something special.
I spent some time with them on their new ad campaign, It was wonderful listening to them tell stories about helping kids get to go to prom, many kids whose parents simply can not afford to shell out 100's of dollars for their children to go to prom.

She had so many stories about helping people, I think she would enjoy doing this project.

[MrsB]

When do need it? Do you know how tall he is? Let me see if I can find a tutorial. This may be something I can do.

[momof 3]

I can do this and I wouldn't charge you a thing. I have a serger so the inside seams would be smooth. I could modify a regular gown pattern, let me rephrase.....Hubby can modify the pattern, and I can sew it. When does he need it?

You'd want to get a soft fabric that could be pre-washed and then sewn. Just let me know. Also, I'd be happy to do more than one.

[MrsB]

Momof3 sounds like she'd be much more able than I. And she has a serger, which I don't.

But, I would e more than happy to help any way I can with this project. I love sewing.

[momof 3]

MrsB, on 16 February 2012 - 10:32 AM, said:

Momof3 sounds like she'd be much more able than I. And she has a serger, which I don't.

But, I would e more than happy to help any way I can with this project. I love sewing.

I just printed 2 patterns for hospital gowns from the internet and the one thing that they have in common is that they both highly recommend that you use 100% cotton fabric because synthetics can interfere with stethoscopes and sensitive hospital machinery.

That is of course if I can figure out how to assemble the 12 pages to actually make the pattern. Maybe you could do that MrsB, I'm definitely out of my element there!

[justgettingby]

OMG, you guys are AWESOME!

He is 4'4ish" and is a tad thin from all he's been through. I'm thinking I'll go visit him in a week or so once he's out of the hospital and back home. After that, he'll have weekly, possibly more than weekly treatments. So I'd say that I'd need it in two weeks since I'll end up traveling down to FL every week after that.

So, how much fabric do I need to buy? I'll get at least twice as much as needed for the gown just in case you need it I have found some fabric online that would be great. But are there any places around here that might carry college-related fabrics?

And I have to give something, whether it money or something else. I cannot have someone take so much time and effort without giving something in return.


Oh, I just thought about this. Do the patterns have the snaps on one of the shoulders? If I remember correctly, they need that to access his port for the chemo treatments.

I'm gonna ask my SIL about the snaps because it seems they would interfere with an MRI.

[dana]

MrsB, on 16 February 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

When do need it? Do you know how tall he is? Let me see if I can find a tutorial. This may be something I can do.

momof 3, on 16 February 2012 - 10:04 AM, said:

I can do this and I wouldn't charge you a thing. I have a serger so the inside seams would be smooth. I could modify a regular gown pattern, let me rephrase.....Hubby can modify the pattern, and I can sew it. When does he need it?

You'd want to get a soft fabric that could be pre-washed and then sewn. Just let me know. Also, I'd be happy to do more than one.

[justgettingby]

OK, SIL says that either way, with or without snaps is fine. So I'm thinking without snaps would be a lot easier. Although what do I know? I can't even sew on a button.

[MrsB]

momof 3, on 16 February 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

I just printed 2 patterns for hospital gowns from the internet and the one thing that they have in common is that they both highly recommend that you use 100% cotton fabric because synthetics can interfere with stethoscopes and sensitive hospital machinery.

That is of course if I can figure out how to assemble the 12 pages to actually make the pattern. Maybe you could do that MrsB, I'm definitely out of my element there!

I was thinking cotton, too.
LOL those printable patterns can be tricky, can't they? Lol I don't have a printer at home (I am a loser) but I can take a look wow, I am boatloads of help! Haha!.

Actually, I will be at JoAnn tomorrow and they have collegiate cotton fabric. I can look for a pattern while I am there, too.

JGB, can you send me your number? I can take a pic of the fabric and send it to you and see if you like it. Another great place for fabric is fabric.com. I've ordered from them before.

[justgettingby]

I've called all the JoAnn fabrics and Hobby Lobby's in the area. Guess no one is a Seminoles fan around here, only Gators But feel free to check 'em out when you are there and see if they really looked for me LOL

I guess I'll just order it online and get a rush delivery. They all look like the same patterns. I'll check out fabric.com while I'm at it.

[Riograce]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

I've called all the JoAnn fabrics and Hobby Lobby's in the area. Guess no one is a Seminoles fan around here, only Gators But feel free to check 'em out when you are there and see if they really looked for me LOL

I guess I'll just order it online and get a rush delivery. They all look like the same patterns. I'll check out fabric.com while I'm at it.

All I saw on fabric.com was fleece, but there were several FSU-patterned fabrics on eBay.

You can get plastic snaps, which wouldn't interfere with medical equipment. Ties at the shoulder and waist would work, too.

If you can afford it, it *would* be nice for him to have a couple of gowns - one to wear and one to wash. Another idea would be to buy fabric in FSU's colors (maroon and gold?) and then sew a Seminole applique to a sleeve.

Good luck!

[BACONFMLY03]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

I've called all the JoAnn fabrics and Hobby Lobby's in the area. Guess no one is a Seminoles fan around here, only Gators But feel free to check 'em out when you are there and see if they really looked for me LOL

I guess I'll just order it online and get a rush delivery. They all look like the same patterns. I'll check out fabric.com while I'm at it.

Check Walmart in Hiram also. And Joanns in Kennesaw has a bigger selection then D'ville

[krwills]

VELCRO on the shoulders, not one long strip, just a few short ones might be better.
You might also do a little pair of stretch waistband shorts or jammy pants, that he could wear during his better times.

I hope he does well!

[momof 3]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 12:20 PM, said:

OMG, you guys are AWESOME!

He is 4'4ish" and is a tad thin from all he's been through. I'm thinking I'll go visit him in a week or so once he's out of the hospital and back home. After that, he'll have weekly, possibly more than weekly treatments. So I'd say that I'd need it in two weeks since I'll end up traveling down to FL every week after that.

So, how much fabric do I need to buy? I'll get at least twice as much as needed for the gown just in case you need it I have found some fabric online that would be great. But are there any places around here that might carry college-related fabrics?

And I have to give something, whether it money or something else. I cannot have someone take so much time and effort without giving something in return.


Oh, I just thought about this. Do the patterns have the snaps on one of the shoulders? If I remember correctly, they need that to access his port for the chemo treatments.

I'm gonna ask my SIL about the snaps because it seems they would interfere with an MRI.

2 1/2 yard per gown, the pattern I have has ties, but I can make it with snaps on the shoulder, no problem. Walmart in Hiram, Hobby Lobby or Joann would be your best bet for fabric. And again, it is recommended that you use 100% cotton. If you go to the store and ask for help, I'm sure they will be happy to show you what would work. I have snaps and whatever other notions are needed, so if you get the fabric and Hubby will help me put the patterns together, we'll be good to go.

MrsB, on 16 February 2012 - 12:54 PM, said:

I was thinking cotton, too.
LOL those printable patterns can be tricky, can't they? Lol I don't have a printer at home (I am a loser) but I can take a look wow, I am boatloads of help! Haha!.

Actually, I will be at JoAnn tomorrow and they have collegiate cotton fabric. I can look for a pattern while I am there, too.

JGB, can you send me your number? I can take a pic of the fabric and send it to you and see if you like it. Another great place for fabric is fabric.com. I've ordered from them before.

There may be a pattern for hospital gowns, who knows? I've never seen one because I have never been looking for one. That would be great!

This post has been edited by momof 3: 16 February 2012 - 03:44 PM

[justgettingby]

I can't thank you enough! I ordered 5 yards from JoAnn since I couldn't find it anywhere in the area. I got the express shipping to get it here faster, I'm hoping Tuesday at the latest.

I just talked to my brother, little guy had the lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy finished and they are waiting on the results to determine the staging. They think it has spread so he will have lengthy and aggressive treatments which is especially dangerous because of his liver. The first few will be weekly so they'll be driving back and forth from Tallahassee to Gainesville once a week. After that, they will have to spend months at Shand's.

I'm going to drive down next week for a few days and then have to come back here for a few days. Then I'll start spending my weekdays with him in FL and back here on the weekends. I'll get up with you once I get the fabric and we'll work everything out from there.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Tommy is a walking miracle and he'll be so happy to know that there are people all over willing to do anything to make him smile.

Sorry I'm babbling and probably not making a lot of sense. My mind isn't working correctly these past few days.

[momof 3]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

I can't thank you enough! I ordered 5 yards from JoAnn since I couldn't find it anywhere in the area. I got the express shipping to get it here faster, I'm hoping Tuesday at the latest.

I just talked to my brother, little guy had the lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy finished and they are waiting on the results to determine the staging. They think it has spread so he will have lengthy and aggressive treatments which is especially dangerous because of his liver. The first few will be weekly so they'll be driving back and forth from Tallahassee to Gainesville once a week. After that, they will have to spend months at Shand's.

I'm going to drive down next week for a few days and then have to come back here for a few days. Then I'll start spending my weekdays with him in FL and back here on the weekends. I'll get up with you once I get the fabric and we'll work everything out from there.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Tommy is a walking miracle and he'll be so happy to know that there are people all over willing to do anything to make him smile.

Sorry I'm babbling and probably not making a lot of sense. My mind isn't working correctly these past few days.

Just let me know when it arrives and I'll get right on it. Also, I sew pillow cases for an organization called a Case for Smiles. They provide soft pillow cases to children who have extended stays in the hospital because hospital linen can be abrasive to their skin sometimes. I think I have lots of extra flannel and I'll make a few of those too.

This post has been edited by momof 3: 16 February 2012 - 04:41 PM

[MrsB]

Momof3 is awesome

I'll see what I can find tomorrow and let y'all know.

[BACONFMLY03]

Does he like to color or draw or anything like that?

[momof 3]

MrsB, on 16 February 2012 - 07:31 PM, said:

Momof3 is awesome

I'll see what I can find tomorrow and let y'all know.

Thank you, but I'm thankful every single day that I have healthy kids and grandkids, so if I can do something to help a little kid get through a really bad time, I'm happy to do it. And I can't do a lot of things, but I can sew.

[A Gipper Girl]

BACONFMLY03, on 16 February 2012 - 07:35 PM, said:

Does he like to color or draw or anything like that?

Thats a good idea. I would be glad to send you some things that he would enjoy and would help keep him entertained if you could tell me what he's into. It would be really nice if we could make up a basket of goodies for him.

[justgettingby]

You all are so sweet. It does an angry heart well to know there is good in this world.

Tommy loves hunting, sports, and more importantly...SOCCER. He is all rough and tumble, playing in the dirt, catching lizards, going fishing, blowing things up, kind of boy. In fact, the week after he was in "remission" in January, he got his first deer and had to share all the gory pics with me LOL. The months I spent with him last time, we made every volcano and rocket we could manage and found all kinds of fun scientific ways to blow them up. He just couldn't get enough of that. Thankfully he has a great church family and school that have given him as many goodies as they could. I'm working on some ideas for him right now and will get back with you. I think right now it's a matter of finding something that will keep him motivated and fighting. I will let you all know when we figure out his needs. Unfortunately, I know what he really needs and wants and it's just to be go to school and be a normal boy like everyone else his age.

Thanks for letting me talk about him. He brightens the life of everyone who has the absolute pleasure of meeting him.

[dana]

A Gipper Girl, on 16 February 2012 - 11:10 PM, said:

Thats a good idea. I would be glad to send you some things that he would enjoy and would help keep him entertained if you could tell me what he's into. It would be really nice if we could make up a basket of goodies for him.

Count me in! I would love to donate some stuff. I would do anything to help ease his suffering.

[justgettingby]

Here's a pic of Tommy, his loving parents, and two beautiful sisters when they spent this past Christmas with me.



While I'm braggin on my brother and his family, let me tell you quickly how amazing they truly are. My brother, while working two jobs after being medically discharged from the Navy with two kids and a wife, managed to attain his engineering degree from FSU. Meanwhile, my amazing niece is hearing impaired, learned to read lips, sign, and completely overcome her hearing loss. She is a star soccer player. My SIL is one semester away from getting her nursing degree. Going to school while being a mom of three, with soccer practices, gymnastics, dance, school etc can't be easy. But add on top of that, a son who had a succesful liver transplant, overcame his hearing impairment as well, AND battled cancer. Oh yeah, and still delivering meals for meals on Wheels and my bro ministering at the prison and the whole family working the weekends at the homeless shelter. And the little one, the little glamour girl who is an incredible gymnast who loves her brother and sister more than life. In a nutshell...that's an amazing family, I don't care who you are LOL.

This post has been edited by justgettingby: 17 February 2012 - 01:03 AM

[LouieBaton]

You should check out careers in healthcare.

[momof 3]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

I've called all the JoAnn fabrics and Hobby Lobby's in the area. Guess no one is a Seminoles fan around here, only Gators But feel free to check 'em out when you are there and see if they really looked for me LOL

I guess I'll just order it online and get a rush delivery. They all look like the same patterns. I'll check out fabric.com while I'm at it.

I found Seminole 100% cotton fabric at JoAnn in Kennesaw th/is afternoon. It's $9.00 a yard, but I didn't have a coupon so I didn't get it. They are having a big sale this weekend for Presidents day, so I'll check again.

[MrsB]

We didn't make it to JoAnn. We ran out of time. I'm going to try and make it up here tomorrow. I have coupons!! Lol

[ButterflyLion]

justgettingby, on 16 February 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

I can't thank you enough! I ordered 5 yards from JoAnn since I couldn't find it anywhere in the area. I got the express shipping to get it here faster, I'm hoping Tuesday at the latest.

momof 3, on 17 February 2012 - 06:19 PM, said:

I found Seminole 100% cotton fabric at JoAnn in Kennesaw th/is afternoon. It's $9.00 a yard, but I didn't have a coupon so I didn't get it. They are having a big sale this weekend for Presidents day, so I'll check again.

I noticed she said she ordered 5 yards, but I remember you said something about making pillow cases, too. I wonder if he could use a robe?

I'm glad he has so much support from people in this thread and many others, too. There used to be an organization that would send you info on a seriously ill child and then you could send them cards and letters. I did it years ago, but I haven't heard anything about them or a group like that in a long time. Are there any that anyone knows about? There could be regulations about privacy issues for something like that now. I don't know.

[ButterflyLion]

justgettingby, on 17 February 2012 - 12:27 AM, said:

Here's a pic of Tommy, his loving parents, and two beautiful sisters when they spent this past Christmas with me.



While I'm braggin on my brother and his family, let me tell you quickly how amazing they truly are. My brother, while working two jobs after being medically discharged from the Navy with two kids and a wife, managed to attain his engineering degree from FSU. Meanwhile, my amazing niece is hearing impaired, learned to read lips, sign, and completely overcome her hearing loss. She is a star soccer player. My SIL is one semester away from getting her nursing degree. Going to school while being a mom of three, with soccer practices, gymnastics, dance, school etc can't be easy. But add on top of that, a son who had a succesful liver transplant, overcame his hearing impairment as well, AND battled cancer. Oh yeah, and still delivering meals for meals on Wheels and my bro ministering at the prison and the whole family working the weekends at the homeless shelter. And the little one, the little glamour girl who is an incredible gymnast who loves her brother and sister more than life. In a nutshell...that's an amazing family, I don't care who you are LOL.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful family.

[justgettingby]

ButterflyLion, on 17 February 2012 - 07:19 PM, said:

I'm glad he has so much support from people in this thread and many others, too. There used to be an organization that would send you info on a seriously ill child and then you could send them cards and letters. I did it years ago, but I haven't heard anything about them or a group like that in a long time. Are there any that anyone knows about? There could be regulations about privacy issues for something like that now. I don't know.

That's what I'm thinking for him and his family. Tommy and his sisters would fight over who got to check the mail everyday. I'm thinking that cards and letters would be something that would keep him, his sisters, and parents motivated. When I go down there this weekend, I might open up a P.O. Box for them so people from all over the country can send cards, letters, etc to ALL of them. I think it would be cool if they could get handwritten letters of encouragement. I'm still thinking it through and trying to find the best way to go about it. I don't want to blast their home address all over the internet for any crazy to get a hold of. I'll research some organizations to see how to go about this too.

I still can't thank you all enough. This is going to be his hardest fight yet as the cancer has effected a few parts of his body, some that are crucial to a young, growing boy.




ETA: when I go to Tally next week, I'll see if I can pick up some more fabric there as well. I know EVERYTHING is FSU there. But yes, I have 5 yards coming to me. And I'm MIFFED at the Kennesaw JoAnn, that's who I called first and they said they didn't have any.

This post has been edited by justgettingby: 17 February 2012 - 08:39 PM

[A Gipper Girl]

justgettingby, on 17 February 2012 - 12:10 AM, said:

You all are so sweet. It does an angry heart well to know there is good in this world.

Tommy loves hunting, sports, and more importantly...SOCCER. He is all rough and tumble, playing in the dirt, catching lizards, going fishing, blowing things up, kind of boy. In fact, the week after he was in "remission" in January, he got his first deer and had to share all the gory pics with me LOL. The months I spent with him last time, we made every volcano and rocket we could manage and found all kinds of fun scientific ways to blow them up. He just couldn't get enough of that. Thankfully he has a great church family and school that have given him as many goodies as they could. I'm working on some ideas for him right now and will get back with you. I think right now it's a matter of finding something that will keep him motivated and fighting. I will let you all know when we figure out his needs. Unfortunately, I know what he really needs and wants and it's just to be go to school and be a normal boy like everyone else his age.

Thanks for letting me talk about him. He brightens the life of everyone who has the absolute pleasure of meeting him.

I would love to put some things together for him. He's into the same things my son was at that age so I'm fairly good at that. Just let us know what he needs or would enjoy.

dana, on 17 February 2012 - 12:20 AM, said:

Count me in! I would love to donate some stuff. I would do anything to help ease his suffering.

Sounds good. We could get a nice basket of goodies up for him. I'll wait to hear what he wants/needs and will PM you for sure.

[ButterflyLion]

justgettingby, on 17 February 2012 - 08:37 PM, said:

That's what I'm thinking for him and his family. Tommy and his sisters would fight over who got to check the mail everyday. I'm thinking that cards and letters would be something that would keep him, his sisters, and parents motivated. When I go down there this weekend, I might open up a P.O. Box for them so people from all over the country can send cards, letters, etc to ALL of them. I think it would be cool if they could get handwritten letters of encouragement. I'm still thinking it through and trying to find the best way to go about it. I don't want to blast their home address all over the internet for any crazy to get a hold of. I'll research some organizations to see how to go about this too.

I could see that receiving mail would be encouraging as long as it doesn't become too much. It's mind boggling that Craig Shergold had received an estimated 250 million greeting cards by 1998:

Originally created 07/06/98

Cards keep coming for record holder

By Associated Press

ATLANTA -- Craig Shergold doesn't want your mail. Neither does the Children's Wish Foundation International. And the Make-A-Wish Foundation certainly doesn't.

After he was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 9, Mr. Shergold received a world-record 33 million get-well cards with the help of the Atlanta-based Children's Wish Foundation.

His cancer is now cured. But despite numerous pleas for them to stop, the cards keep coming, thanks to chain letters and e-mail that spread often-erroneous information about Mr. Shergold and his illness.

Even the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Phoenix, which was never involved with Mr. Shergold's quest for the record, is inundated with mail for him.

Mr. Shergold, now 19, estimates his current card total at 250 million.

"We've been trying to stop it for the last year or so," he said from his home in Wallington, England. "I've been on the telly everywhere trying to stop it, but it's still coming."

The postal avalanche was triggered in 1989 when Mr. Shergold was in a London hospital. His doctor saw a pile of get-well cards around his bed and joked that he should attempt a record.

The Children's Wish Foundation agreed to help him.

"I didn't think I'd get 100 or so," Mr. Shergold said.

Soon, the foundation was filling a warehouse with truckloads of cards.

"There were mail trucks and FedEx trucks and Airborne Express -- any kind of carrier -- lined up trying to get into our office," said Christy Andrews, the foundation's public relations director.

The 1991 edition of the Guinness Book of Records listed Mr. Shergold as the record-holder for get-well cards, with more than 16 million. He was listed again in 1992, when the total eclipsed 33 million. Then the category was retired.

British doctors had predicted that ...


http://chronicle.aug...et_232663.shtml

[mei lan]

For some reason I'm just now looking at this thread. I just have to say that it's the sweetest thing I've read in a long while. And momof3 is totally the bomb. TOTALLY. Everyone who has thought of something is fabulous as well. What a great thing to do.

JGB, I'll keep your nephew in my prayers. I was so happy when you said earlier than he was doing better.

[momof 3]

mei lan, on 19 February 2012 - 01:05 AM, said:

For some reason I'm just now looking at this thread. I just have to say that it's the sweetest thing I've read in a long while. And momof3 is totally the bomb. TOTALLY. Everyone who has thought of something is fabulous as well. What a great thing to do.

JGB, I'll keep your nephew in my prayers. I was so happy when you said earlier than he was doing better.

Thank you, but I hope that anyone with sewing skills would do the same thing. I can sew just about anything and this is a chance to do something with a purpose.

[ButterflyLion]

Justgettingby, I was just wondering how things are with you, your nephew and his family?

[justgettingby]

ButterflyLion, on 26 February 2012 - 10:17 PM, said:

Justgettingby, I was just wondering how things are with you, your nephew and his family?

They are doing the best they can with what they've been given. My SIL told me tonight that she realized their abnormal life is their normal LOL And it's so true. They are settling into the routine of travelling back and forth from Tallahassee to Gainesville for his treatments. Plus, they are still working out the logistics of everyone's schedules, etc. My nephew is doing well so far. He's moved past the anger stage and back into his fighting mode that he's so used to. He's also got his sense of humor back and is excited about his "FSU hospital gear". I'm excited about meeting the sewing angel, "momof3" tomorrow to do the fabric pass off.