Sunday, 18 January 2009
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My cancer journey...
I have been remiss in sharing this journey. Not sure exactly why maybe because it make me come face to face with it more, but I think I'll try to blog a little.
After I last wrote the next event was getting fitted for prosthesis and bras. It was a very unpleasant experience and I left angry and tearful.
For those in the 'business' it is just that 'business.' But what they have forgotten is that some of us are coming through their doors (probably most of us) for the first time just having had surgery removing one or both breasts and could use a little compassion AND communication.
The lady took me into a 'dressing room' of sorts and asked me to remove my shirt then began to measure me. She pulled out bras and prosthesis and started fitting me but never ever talked to me about what she was doing or why. She had her hands all over my 'breasts' once she had the prosthesis in the bra to check eveness between the two, etc. Of course I knew what she was doing but it would have been so much more helpful and kinder had she been a little more communicative. She started choosing bras for me without asking if I had a preference or even offering me choices. I spoke up because I had already done some online shopping to see what was available.
There are other places to go and I will try them before I go back to this particular business...if I even get to that place of needing new prosthesis and bras.
So while it was not the most pleasant experience (not that I thought it would be, it just could have been better) the blessing in that experience is: my insurance covers 100% of the cost of prosthesis and 3 bras a year.
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Comments (6)
((((Hugs))))))......Not to make an excuse for her but maybe because she sees so many others through this, she seperates her feelings to not get emotional or the client emotional and maybe that is why she doesn't talk with them?........I have been wondering about you and praying for you!.....Hope you are having a Blessed Day and Praise God you have good insurance.......In Christ's Love....Monic
My best friend had a very nasty scar after her surgery. Between an ill-fitting prosthesis and a very tender scar, she found it easier to go without while in the comfort of her home. While visiting her with my young teenage son, we were all sitting around the kitchen table. My son was playing with what he thought was some sort of water weinnie. My friend couldn't take it any longer and asked him "Do you like playing with my boob?" He dropped that thing like it was a hot potato. Everyone got a good laugh at it. Ten years later, he will tell people, "Becky and I have a special relationship".
It is good to hear from you.
WOW! Bless your heart. I would have felt the very same. Like you weren't even there really. This is not even close to what you experianced but we were treated really very much the same way when we went to get wigs for our daughter. They treated her as if she were a manaquin and that was so cruel. The "industry" is there to serve the needs of the hurting patient and they would be wise to have a bit of tenderness and decorum.Letting you manuver and position your prosthesis would have been the better part of wisdom and kindness I would think. Praying for you dear heart. I can't imagine and I would be so mad too.
I'm sorry (((hugs)))
While the specifics are beyond my experience, the message is an excellent one - we need to minster to the whole person!
BTW- you are welcome to come listen any time!!!
I'm so sorry, Robyn.