Dawn's Story
In her words...
March 16, 2018, my journey started with a diagnosis of breast cancer in my left breast. ER and PR positive and HER2 negative.
Double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction on April 20th. A sentinel lymph node was removed on the left side. It had cancer in it.
May 13th, I had ten lymph nodes removed from my left arm pit. Two of those had spec
March 16, 2018, my journey started with a diagnosis of breast cancer in my left breast. ER and PR positive and HER2 negative.
Double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction on April 20th. A sentinel lymph node was removed on the left side. It had cancer in it.
May 13th, I had ten lymph nodes removed from my left arm pit. Two of those had specks of cancer and in one, the cancer had grown to the outside of the node.
June 13th, I started chemo. 4 treatments 3 weeks apart. Finished chemo August 15th.
September 20th, I started my 30 radiation treatments and finished November 2nd.
On November 24th, took my first tamoxifen (hormone blocker) pill that I will take for 5 years.
Through all of this, I can tell you there truly are some yucky days and pain, but it is very doable. You CAN do this. I have already said these words to you.
So get up today and choose to smile because you have the power to do so. You may have cancer, but cancer does not have you if you stand up and be powerful against it.
One thing I found interesting, especially at the beginning of my journey, was that yesterday, last week or last month we didn’t know we had cancer and we were overcomers for our families and friends, our tribe, and now, knowing we have cancer, we want to melt into fear.
It. Is. Hard.
But we are the same now, we just have cancer. That changes us forever, but we truly have the opportunity to decide how we look at that and proceed. Just don’t give your power and smile away to the fear. You ARE strong enough. Don’t worry alone. You are NOT alone. We are now all connected by the amazing pink thread.
Help Our Cause
The average box, if there were no donations, cost $29 for material to construct a pillow and drain shirt and postage is an average of $13/box continental USA, totaling $42.
No person who receives a Blessing Box is ever charged for one. These boxes are made with love by fellow Pink Sisters AKA Pink Tribe and loved ones who want to be part of this amazing grassroots project.
Due to never charging for a Blessing Box, donations are never expected but are always appreciated. Donations can be funds, fabric, men's button up shirts, poly-fill, or through an Amazon wishlist.
Below are a few ways to donate to the Blessing Box Project.
Thank you for your time and donation.
Directly:
Dawn Compton
P.O. Box 646
Bellville, TX 77418
Venmo:
dawnc_77418@ yahoo.com
@Dawn-Compton-6
Zelle:
dawnc_77418@ yahoo.com
The Blessing Box Project is not a business or charity.
The Blessing Box Project is not a non-profit.
In Every Blessing Box
A Drain Shirt
A Mastectomy Pillow
A Mastectomy Pillow
Drains are a pain and these shirts allow you to have some comfort with pockets on the inside to hold the drains and buttons to slip it on with ease. They make it easier to go to the store, go to the doctor or simply move from the bed to the chair.
A Mastectomy Pillow
A Mastectomy Pillow
A Mastectomy Pillow
These pillows are a huge help. They make everything from a car ride, hugging loved ones, and holding little ones tolerable.
Extra surprises
A Mastectomy Pillow
Additional pillows
Extra surprises are small gifts that have been donated by the pink tribe, many of whom are previous recipients of a Blessing Box.
Additional pillows
A Mastectomy Pillow
Additional pillows
Heart pillows and Port pillows are also available as requested. Heart pillows are used under the arm to cushion lumpectomy & lymph node incisions. Port pillows protect chest ports while using seat belt or when extra cushioning is needed.
The Wooden Spool
The Wooden Spool in Sealy Texas
In early 2022, The Wooden Spool's proprietor, Jennifer Arguijo, donated many, many bolts of fabric, which enabled the creation of more than 200 pillows by the Blessing Box Project's Pink Tribe!
The Wooden Spool will also generously match, yard for yard, any fabric bought for The Blessing Box Project.
The Wooden Spool
219 Fowlkes St.
Sealy, TX 77474
(979) 627-9123
Monday - Saturday12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Click on The Wooden Spool emblem to the right to access the webpage.
Click below for The Wooden Spool's FaceBook Page
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the%20wooden%20spool
The Blessing Box Project Gallery
You ARE strong enough!
From a blessing box request to Dawn to a post it note...
To the master spreadsheet...
To a mailing label...
Assembling boxes
Packing the boxes
a Pink Tribe sew in
The trailer with packed boxes after a sew-in
To the post office to ship
Drain shirt and pillow
A truck full of finished pillows
Boxes and envelopes ready to ship
Drain shirt and pillow
Drain shirt and pillow
Dawn talking to the Pink Tribe at a sew-in
Drain shirt and pillow
Another batch of blessing boxes at the post office
Dawn in action
The mastectomy pillows are loved by all
Another sew-in and Blessing Boxes ready to ship
Another Blessing Box recipient
Mastectomy pillow in use
Mastectomy pillow in use with a seat belt
Tucked in with a mastectomy pillow
Mastectomy pillow and heart pillow
Trust the process!
