Loving Heart-Shaped Pillow Project
–Bringing Comfort and Support to Post-Operative and Oncology Patients
My mother is a nurse and mentioned that a splinting pillow could be very helpful to post-
operative patients. Many abdominal and thoracic surgeries, like exploratory laparotomy,
cholecystectomy, and thoracotomy, cause severe pain after surgery, especially when the patient
is trying to cough or taking a deep breath. After surgery, patients are afraid of coughing or taking
deep breath due to the pain. Besides offering opioids pain meds, squeezing a pillow against
abdomen or chest incision (that is called splinting) is helpful to reduce the pain when coughing
and taking a deep breath. A heart pillow is an innovative and important tool used for external
splinting. By placing pressure on the abdomen or chest, it limits movement and reduces pain,
thereby encouraging patients to take deep breaths or cough more comfortably.
In the past, nurses use a blanket wrapping with tap as a splinting pillow to help ease the
pain. However, nurses are too busy to make a splinting pillows most time. Having pre-made,
dedicated splinting pillows available would ensure that every patient receives the necessary
support without placing additional burdens on nursing staff. Heart pillows are a simple and
effective solution to this problem. They provide targeted support to the chest or surgical site,
reducing pain and facilitating easier deep breathing and coughing.
I searched online and found that the simplest post-operative pillows cost between $25-30
each, but I realized we could make them much more affordably ourselves. I also noticed that the
online splinting pillows only come in a few colors, like black, red, and blue. By making our own,
we could offer a wider variety of patterns and colors, allowing patients to choose their favorite
colors or even designs with animals, making the pillows more personalized and comforting.
I proposed the idea of creating heart-shaped splinting pillows for patients to CAPA-MC,
which agreed to provide funding for materials and SSL hours for the students. On the CAPA-MC
platform, there are ten student clubs, and the students from SEEDS (Special Education Equal
Development Society), Thrive, and Gardening embraced this initiative enthusiastically. We have
been making pillows together since last December.
In the beginning, we started with around 10 student volunteers who would come to my
house on Saturday evenings to make pillows. We always began by cleaning our hands and the
workspace, then discussed the steps for cutting and sewing. During that first evening, the
students spent 4 hours and managed to produce only 10 good pillows. A few pillows didn’t turn
out well — some were not symmetrical, and others weren’t sewn properly, causing the stuffing
to leak out. Over time, we streamlined the process of sizing, cutting, sewing, and stuffing. We
also started using sewing machines and expanded to 20 volunteers. To accommodate the larger
group, we began renting bigger spaces, like school cafeterias or community centers. Now, we
can make about 40 pillows during each 4-hour session.
This project not only meets the needs of patients but also offers a meaningful activity for
the students, promoting a sense of community service and empathy. The students from SEEDS
(Special Education Equal Development Society) feel truly empowered by this project. Instead of
always being on the receiving end of support, they now feel they can give back by helping
others—like stuffing cotton into the pillows. It has been a wonderful way for them to contribute
meaningfully. By making the pillows ourselves, we are able to keep the costs down to just $3
each.
Medical staff and nurses are thrilled to have these vibrant pillows in various patterns,
such as dogs, elephants, and flowers, allowing them to select one that suits each patient’s
preference. They no longer need to spend extra time and effort taping blankets to make makeshift
pillows.
These pillows have been a great help to many surgical patients. Additionally, they have
provided comfort to those who feel lonely or depressed, including oncology patients. Beyond
physical support, they offer emotional reassurance, bringing a sense of care and compassion
during difficult times.
Patients’ responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as, “it’s
more than just a gift,” “I love the cushion; it feels like it protects my incision,” and “very helpful
with the seatbelt while driving.” Many patients took photos with their heart pillows to send
thank-you messages to the students, and some even made thank-you videos for us. We’ve also
received heartfelt thank-you cards. Knowing that these pillows bring such comfort and support is
truly heartwarming.
The students, including those from high school, middle school, and special needs
backgrounds, have shown remarkable dedication and creativity in making these pillows. Our
hard work has resulted in over 250 pillows being delivered to Suburban Hospital/Johns Hopkins.
In recognition of their efforts, the students will be honored with the Humanitarian of the Year
award from Suburban Hospital/Johns Hopkins in September 2024.
Kylie – Member of Thrive Club
