Anti-ouch pouches help cancer survivors heal

Published 12:33 am Monday, August 22, 2016

Breast cancer surgery is a traumatic experience for any woman, and members of one local sewing group are providing a layer of comfort to those recovering from their wounds.

They are called anti-ouch pouches and are sewn by Down East Neighborhood Group, a local group that makes them as part of a larger campaign with the American Sewing Guild. Made of brightly patterned fabric and stuffed with fiberfill, anti-ouch pouches are designed to provide a soft buffer in the underarm and breast areas to avoid irritation to healing incisions and radiation burns.

“After you have surgery, it keeps your arm away from the incision,” said Elaine Holloman, a member of the group.

Because of their design and adjustable strap, the purpose of the anti-ouch pouch is only apparent to its user, so it can be used in public, as well, according to Holloman.

“It looks like a pocketbook, so it’s not really obvious,” Holloman said.

Holloman has a stack of anti-ouch pouches at her home, ready to find a new home. While the sewing group has made them available to local medical facilities, she said the group’s members have really relied on word of mouth to get the pouches to women when they need them most, which is immediately after surgery.

One of the past recipients of an anti-ouch pouch was Washington resident Cheri Howdy. Howdy underwent a lumpectomy almost five years ago, a procedure that also resulted in the removal of 14 lymph nodes and a long incision beneath one arm.

She said someone recommended an anti-ouch pouch to her, and it proved invaluable.

“I would put that pillow under my arm or under my breast, and it did not irritate those wounds,” Howdy said.

Howdy has since recommended them to others undergoing breast cancer surgeries and was happy to do so, she said.

“I know a lot of people would enjoy them if they knew about them,” Howdy said.

Howdy said Down East Neighborhood Group’s generosity made an impression on her five years ago.

“It really means a lot when you’re going through that, that people would make them and bring them to you,” Howdy said. “It means a lot when people are so thoughtful.”

Holloman is now working on getting the word out about anti-ouch pouches on a larger scale.

“We need to let people know because these things are just sitting here,” Holloman said. “They’re free — they can have them gladly.”

Those in need of anti-ouch pouches are welcome to call Holloman at 252-946-5291.