There is a place called "New Day's Dawn" in San Diego that is wonderful, and struggling financially, I think. It offers a lot of help for women who need to find post-op bras, mastectomy forms, etc.
Cancer research gets a fair amount of funding, but the how-to-deal-with-life centers sometimes don't get as much attention or money, and helping women feel comfortable in their clothes, and receive therapeutic massage, etc., after surgery is often ignored.
My sister was diagnosed at 40, and again at 50. She said the treatment options between her first and second bout with cancer were light-years apart, in fact some of what was done for her at 40 they discovered shouldn't have been done in the intervening years.
Anyway. Treatment has come a long way, so while getting bc at any time in life sucks, now is as good a time to have it as any. I hope that doesn't sound crass; I don't mean it to.
Consider finding a few other places that might offer your friend some comfort and advice if she needs a lumpectomy, or mastectomy, or radiation or chemo or whatever.
Here's a link to the story with some of it cut-and-pasted below.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070311-9999-1m11dawn.htmlExperience inspired survivor to create one-stop shop for women
By Sharon A. Heilbrunn
UNION-TRIBUNE
March 11, 2007
SANTEE – After Dawn Gibbs was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, she carted herself around the county in search of the products and services she needed.
LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune
Dawn Gibbs (left) helped fit Pat Hennegan of Kensington for a breast prosthesis last month at New Day's Dawn, a women's cancer therapy center and boutique in Santee.
She'd find a compression garment here, a post-surgical bra there. Mastectomy forms were in Solana Beach, lymphedema therapy in San Diego. With every stop came the need to retell her story, an experience she called traumatic.
“I would say to myself, 'There has got to be a better way,' ” Gibbs said.
Nearly seven years later, she has created one.
The passionate 49-year-old recently opened New Day's Dawn, a women's cancer therapy center and boutique in Santee. The facility is a one-stop shop for cancer-related products and services, including post-surgical garments, wigs, occupational and massage therapy, rehabilitation and yoga.
The center is a welcome addition to East County, which has very few cancer resources, said Karen Miller, program coordinator for Cancer Navigator, a Web site and help line that offers cancer resources for county residents.
“There are numerous services in one location, which is so important for a cancer patient who is spending their time traveling when they could be spending their time getting well,” Miller said.
Almost all New Day's Dawn staffers are cancer survivors, including administrative executive Barbara Green and Terri Ogle-Shine, and occupational therapist and exercise physiologist.
...
The 2,800-square-foot building offers separate rooms for each service. The rooms have warm, earthy colors and boutiquelike decor, including a plush couch in the lobby.
“It's a safe haven,” Gibbs said. “Cancer patients will see that we are glad to see them, and that we can help them. We know what they're going through.”
When Gibbs was diagnosed, she bought her post-surgical bra at a department store. She remembers being in the dressing room and tearing up as “beautiful women around me bought lingerie.”
A saleswoman left the dressing room, then turned back to loudly ask whether Gibbs needed a right or left breast form. Humiliated, Gibbs left immediately.
The experience was one of many that prompted her to create a facility where women would feel welcome and safe.
“Here, you can come in a room, close the door, cry, and take time with a woman to restore her physical appearance and inner peace,” Gibbs said.
One room is dedicated to wig-fitting, where wigs are customized for free.
In the middle of the building is a retail area full of trendy, post-mastectomy bathing suits and bras, specially designed skin-care products, pajamas, blankets and more.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
