What to look for in a Wig Shop

Look for a wig provider that has experience with women undergoing chemotherapy. They will be able to offer guidance from experience and help you:

• Select the right wig for you prior to chemotherapy. Your stylist will be able to match a wig to your hair style and color. You will be able to walk in with hair and walk out with hair. We have had women say they get wonderful comments on their new haircut!
• Have your hair clipped (about 14 days after the start of treatment.) Note: do not use a razor, it may cause folliculitis. Leave hair approximately 1/4".
• Put your wig on after your hair clipping
• You will be in a wig or head covering for typically 6 to 12 months

Feel free to call us 800.497.7005 http://www.susansspecialneeds.com/

Experience the Susan's Special Needs Difference

For many people, hair loss is one of the most trying aspects of cancer treatment. When hair falls out, it affects our self-image and our quality of life. But you don't have to despair - you can go a long way towards boosting your own self-confidence with an educated attitude and some advance perparation. Everyone's experience is different, so it's important to become well informed about how your particular treatment affects hair loss. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what to expect. For those who can't make it into the store ask us about a home visit. http://www.SusansSpecialNeeds.com 800.497.7005

Losing Your Hair from Chemotherapy

I have been thinking today of all of us who have gone through chemo and anticipating hair loss. As a survivor I can share with you that when it happened to me I grieved over my hair as it was thick and naturally curly. Now in reflection, I can say that I liked my hair, it was one of the great things about me and the stylists who worked with me prior to chemo loved working with it. I think when the hair loss occurs that we all have to grieve of days in the past. We remember specifically how our hair looked on memorable special occasions. It is those fine details, that as females, we think about and remember fondly. My hair grew back grey and then there were 7 years of tamoxifen that changed my hair, its texture and throwing in menopause did not help things either. Although, I still long for the lost hair and the great pictures of me in better days, I think I am most grateful to be here. You see our youngest daughter was only 3 at the time of chemo days and she is now 21! How fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to parent her, to be her mom, to love her unconditionally and to drive her crazy. My husband said to me at the time, if you are going to lose your hair, you will lose it in style, so he booked a room at a wonderful hotel, we sat in a marble tub, pulled my hair out and drank champagne. How fortunate I am to have had my husband and girls around me to love me in spite of my imperfections. I am blessed to be a survivor and a thriver. Endurance and hope are the keys.

Therefore, at the store when I see each woman here clip off their hair, I shall never forget the feelings that I experienced and it comes back to me each time I am in the room with a client just beginning this process. However, once the event is over, there are of course tears but a sigh of relief that the anticipatory moment is over. Now it is on to looking at the finish line, meaning the end of treatment and new hair growth coming back.

Thank you to all of you who have given me the opportunity to spend time with you, to cry with you, to hold your hands and to offer the privacy and respect that you deserve during this time. I am most grateful. Susan http://www.susansspecialneeds.com/ 800.497.7005

Wig Purchase and Insurance Coverage

OK so here is the story for the day. We know historically that wigs typically are not covered by an insurance company. Many people think that with a Doctor's script that anything is covered. That is actually not true. Unless we, as the subscriber, have a wig included under the durable medical benefit package , wigs are never covered. Medicare does not cover for a wig and oft time BCBS will follow suit. It is best that you call your insurance company, ask to speak to a supervisor just to be certain and record your conversation as you go along. Many insurance company reps do not understand this end of the business and can often give you misinformation.

Remember, however, a wig is typically considered a retail purchase, there are typically no net work providers who will bill for a wig. Therefore, my message today is be proactive, call and state your case, get a hold of someone on the phone who is knowledgeable and make sure you understand the ins and outs of your personal policy. Bottom line our experience shows that it never hurts to submit your receipt showing a necessary cranial prosthesis with a claim form and see what happens. Be courageous, be strong and don't give up. Susan http://www.susansspecialneeds.com/ 800.497.7005

Get Balanced to Look and Feel Your Best

Most women would agree the key ingredients for a satisfying daily life is finding the right balance. Naturally one thinks of work-life balance as vital - but did you know your physical sense of balance and symmetry is also important? When you're well balanced physically, you maintain better posture and breathe more easily, giving you more energy and contributing significantly to your overall sense of wellness.

Being unbalanced can have the opposite effect. In fact, when your breasts are noticeably uneven, it may affect how you hold your shoulders and even the curve of your spine. Some possible causes of asymmetry include:

• Naturally uneven breasts
• Surgery/radiation (radiated breasts typically change shape with time)
• Breast reconstruction process (expander phase)
• Weight gain or loss after reconstruction and/or treatments
• The natural aging process

Gaining a smooth, balanced look can help you square those shoulders, and ultimately make you feel more confident and feminine.

Symmetry shapers like Amoena's Balance line are perfect for all of these situations, to create an even silhouette, improve your balance, and maximize your curves. There are a variety of shapes and options - your Certified Fit Specialist can help you find the one that works best for you.

After reconstruction balance can be challenging. Shapers can be placed wherever there is missing tissue: on the top, rotated to either side or underneath the breast. When placed underneath and lifts the remaining breast tissue, filling the bra cup completely and even providing a bit of cleavage. Like all Amoena shapers thickness is in the middle of the shape and tapers to thin edges so that it is virtually invisible when worn, even in a seamless bra.

Amoena also offers comfortable attachable shapers, and just this year, introduced the first partial shapers with Comfort+ technology, which equalizes the temperature between the chest wall and the form to prevent overheating and perspiration.

Health insurance will sometimes cover partial forms for those with medical conditions resulting in uneven breasts.

All Amoena partials look naturally soft and feel like cashmere. Try one and experience the balancing effects of perfect symmetry, better posture and self-confidence -- to look and feel your best, every day.

Amoena/Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine by Lee Thrash http://www.amoena.com/global/

http://www.susansspecialneeds.com/ 800.497.7005

FREE Cleaning Service for Chemo Patients

We recently received this message that we thought was worth passing on. "Cleaning for a Reason" ... If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. "Cleaning for a Reason" will have a participating maid service in her zip code arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire U.S. and currently has 547 partners to help these women. http://cleaningforareason.org/The message was from the Oakland County Community Health Authority. http://www.susansspecialneeds.com/ 800.497.7005

Skin Care and Chemotherapy

Just a quick note today about skin care while undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation. Most of the chemotherapy drugs are metalic based which leave our skin compromised and extremely dry. We see it here at the store daily and I am most concerned about getting the right information out to all chemotherapy patients. Most over-the-counter products contain ingredients which further dries out the skin. We have a variety of products in different price ranges that will alleviate the problems with dry skin, discoloration of the skin, chemo acne and folliculitis. We have women visit us with an itchy, acne-like scalp. We have a variety of products that are perfect to sooth and moisturize your skin.

Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized during treatment is just as important as hair loss, wigs and turbans. Skin care and scalp care are paramount. Please give us a call to discuss our skin care solutions.

Have a good night,talk to you tommorrow.
Susan
http://www.susansspecialneeds.com/
800.497.7005