From
the Founder
I remember the exact moment I was told I had breast cancer.
My mind went into overdrive to absorb the tidal wave of
information about mastectomy and the options for reconstruction.
Robotically I went through the motions and faced the machines
that peered inside me and the doctors who marked me for
surgery. Breast cancer took control of my life.
As surgery day approached, I ran around doing everything
I could think of to get myself prepared. Up until the very
last minute, I was nagged by the feeling that I should have
asked more questions about what was to come.
After my mastectomy, I hurt everywhere, which was no surprise.
What did surprise me were the little things that made me
cry, like not being able to reach for a cup of water. Homecoming
produced one crushing moment after another. My feet swelled
and I could not get shoes on. I needed help to dress. Surgical
drains hung off my body and ointment seeped through bandages
onto my clothes.
Eventually I figured it out – something women do all
the time. I discovered how sleeveless cotton undershirts
were a comfortable and inexpensive garment that kept bandages
in place and surgical drains secure. Through trial and error
I learned which bandages provided the most comfort and that
only paper tape did not irritate my sore skin. Lip balm
became as precious as gold.
I wanted to tell other women facing mastectomy what to really
expect, help articulate those unasked questions, and give
them back some sense of control. It also occurred to me
how quickly the expense of bandages mounted up, which is
the last thing some women need on top of everything else.
But the supplies are necessary. That’s how I conceived
the idea for Necessities.
With my newfound perspective on what I should have done
to prepare for the debilitating affects of major surgery,
I put together a pamphlet suggesting how to pack for the
hospital and what to have ready for homecoming. Then I went
shopping and filled a bag with essentials, like cotton undershirts,
bandages that were super soft, gentle paper tape, personal
hygiene items, lip balm, and a few other things.
I knew that for my idea to have the greatest impact, mastectomy
patients needed to receive the information and supplies
before surgery to get organized while they could still do
things for themselves. I reached out to my own breast surgeon
and plastic surgeon for approval and support. Dr. Beth Ann
Ditkoff and Dr. David Passaretti endorsed Necessities and
the first bag was soon in the hands of a very grateful woman.
The response to the Necessities Bag program has been overwhelming
and I am grateful to everyone who encouraged me to do this.
I never imagined my life would include breast cancer, but
I got through it with the support of a loving family and
caring friends. My new challenge is to raise another woman’s
spirits and then I will have truly accomplished something
remarkable.
