from the mailbox:

When my mother-in-law was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in 2007 we knew the chances of her surviving 5 years were slim. In April 2010 we found that the cancer had spread to her liver and she passed away on February 7, 2011 at the age of 54.

I made her the Fuck Cancer cross stitch last year. It took me days upon days, I don't have a crafty bone in my body. I miscounted stitches, my fingers bled and I started over several times until I just said "screw it, this is good enough." It looked like it was made by a kindergartener with poor motor skills and bad eyesight but she loved it anyway. It hung in her dining room where everyone could see it and nod in agreement and she decreed that she wanted to be buried with it. Last week it was proudly displayed at both her viewing and funeral reception as you can see in the attached image Everyone, including the nun who sat by her during her chemo treatments, enjoyed my "handiwork."

We didn't leave it with her, though, we brought it back and hung it back up where his dad can see it and be reminded not of her disease but her sense of humor. Thank you for giving us all something to laugh about during tough times.

- Heather

I've made a couple of these, and (unfortunately) need to make a couple of more...stitching it out is like stabbing cancer in little 14-count increments, and it's quite cathartic. -- laura

I got my "Fuck Cancer" kit on time and delivered it to my friend and his one remaining testicle. I hadn't seen him in years and the gift brought him to (happy) tears. Thanks for being creative and supplying me with the perfect gift. It made a real moment. --jeff m.

I'm writing to let you know that I am finding the "Fuck Cancer" cross stitch very, very cathartic. I ordered two kits - one deluxe and one basic - shortly after my father entered hospice. He had metastatic cancer. They arrived the day of his funeral. (The kits were on time - my dad was just on a different schedule)

I am making one for myself and one for my aunt. I think if I would have shown the pattern to my dad he would have looked at me over the top of his glasses and given me a mock disapproving look - but I think he would have understood the sentiment entirely.

As I work, I think of Dad and I smile. Thank you so much for providing an outlet for me.

-heidi from wa

I just finished my "Fuck Cancer" kit and I wanted to thank you. It was HUGELY cathartic--I lost my husband in March to leukemia. He was 24.

There was anger released in every stitch. Thanks for your creativity and vision.

Amanda

I had someone forward me your "Fuck Cancer" image. (I'm in the middle of chemo/radiation). I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me LAUGH.

I am a soaper and have wanted to emblazon my bars with something subversive for years, however no self-respecting mold maker will make them for me and my local stamp maker won't do it either. Scardey cats.

Keep up the good work!
Billie

p.s. I've just got back from the doc and they are ready to gear me up for another round of chemo. I feel a little like a warrior when I read your Fcancer sampler.