Product offers support for patients with ports

Tag : Pillow Packaging
Jeanne Chenault had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

On the heels of the March diagnosis, a bilateral mastectomy andanother procedure to install a port, a medical appliance installedbeneath the skin, Chenault was facing several rounds ofchemotherapy.

At such an uncertain and challenging time, any type of comfort -physical or otherwise - is needed.

The Florence woman said she received plenty of emotional comfort from God andloved ones, but dreaded getting in a vehicle.

That's because the shoulder strap on the seat belt crosses right atthe point where the port is attached to her body.

"I was literally holding the seat belt out when I'd ride because itwas so sensitive," she said.

That's when the idea came. Chenault wanted to develop some type ofpillowy object that could block the belt from the port.

With that, the "Comfort Now Protect-A-Port" was launched. Thedevice attaches to seat belts with Velcro and provides relief fromthe pain.

A port, or "port-a-cath," is a small medical appliance installedbeneath the skin that is connected to a vein via a catheter. Thismakes it easier to receive chemotherapy or other forms ofmedication.

Chenault, who recently completed her final round of chemotherapy,has focused on making the products, which are free to anyone whohas any type of medical condition that requires use of a port.

"We don't get any money out of this," she said. "It's all out ofpocket. We've had people donate material."

Volunteers have helped with the sewing, and her daughter, AbbeyThompson, assists with the project from her home in Pelham.

She developed the packaging for the Protect-A-Port, which includesa donation envelope to the American Cancer Society, diagram thatChenault's husband, Steve Chenault, drew to explain how to use thepillow, pink and brown raffia, and drawing of a breast-cancerribbon.

It also has an inscription reading: "To God be the glory," fromPsalms 115:1, along with a note that reads "God blesses thingsgreat and small." The final thing Jeanne Chenault does beforecompleting the package is say a prayer for the person who will usethe pillow.

"It's an honor to help mom," Thompson said. "I'm in Pelham and it'sbeen difficult to not be able to physically be there for her atthis time. We as a family have been able to help her this way."

She calls the entire program a blessing.

"Mom has helped so many people through this," Thompson said. "Toher, it's a ministry, and through her struggles with cancer, she'swanting to help others. What I've remembered most about this wholething is she's wanting to help others while going through thisherself."

The product is catching on. Her physician, Dr. Robert Bailey, nowkeeps some in his office for when a patient needs them. PostmasterRicky Brewer allows the kits to be displayed in a shadowbox, andpostal employees tell anyone interested to call Chenault at work atElkins Funeral Home (764-0221), and she'll provide one.

"Presently, we do not have a local seamstress to help us sew thepillows, and they are being sewn by a volunteer in Pelham," JeanneChenault said. "We are also making smaller pillows for children todistribute in the hospitals."

She hopes residents and organizations will help provide sewing. Shesaid some residents of Montreat Apartments in Florence have helped in the past. "We are thankful for all they and theothers have done," she said.

Jeanne Chenault said the project has helped her cope with cancerand believes God led her to the idea of the Protect-A-Port. She hasbeen open about her disease and has been comforted by sharingexperiences with others who also face life-threatening illnesses.

"This project has blessed me in so many ways, and my breast cancermade me appreciate the small things in life," she said. "You justdon't realize sometimes until you are faced with a life-threateningdisease like cancer how important everything is and how loved youare.

"I realize everyone has their own path to follow in this journey torecovery, but it just helps to have support. If you don't share,people don't know how to support you."

The reason behind the words "Comfort Now" in the kit's name is tostress the idea of looking forward to a time when you'll be curedof the disease.

"It's just here to provide comfort now," Jeanne Chenault said."Then, when you are through with it and no longer need it, you canpass it along to someone who does."