When you go through breast cancer your doctor gives you prescriptions for more than a few things besides the usual medicines. Apparently they write a prescription for bras. Did you make your appointment yet for your after surgery wear my doctor asks? Oh yes I tell her I'm going today, in fact the women who called me to book the appointment is a former patient of yours and a big fan. She smiles very modestly and says glad to hear you are getting that done, they are very helpful.
Well before you imagine I'm off to fancy Nordstroms or Macy's shopping carte blanche with doctors orders insurance footing the bill the whole way allow me to clarify. It's located at the hospital, in the cancer center at a boutique. However before you get to the cute little boutique you check in first, almost like a patient checking into the hospital, you answer questions about insurance and other things. What do you for a living? decline. Whats your race? decline. religion? decline. Only then are you finally escorted to the retail Mecca.
Well before you imagine I'm off to fancy Nordstroms or Macy's shopping carte blanche with doctors orders insurance footing the bill the whole way allow me to clarify. It's located at the hospital, in the cancer center at a boutique. However before you get to the cute little boutique you check in first, almost like a patient checking into the hospital, you answer questions about insurance and other things. What do you for a living? decline. Whats your race? decline. religion? decline. Only then are you finally escorted to the retail Mecca.
In the name of the store is the word Treasure. Indeed it was. I'm suddenly surrounded by piles of glittery trinkets, bedazzled shirts, fashionable hats and scarves in a wide range of colors and patterns you could imagine. Like a major department store right? Sorta. The shirts say Mammo is your ammo in pink camouflage. The bracelets have the shiny word FAITH or similar like words in crystals. And the colorful scarves are to fit your stylish bald head during and after chemo. Immediately I want to try them all on. You see I've been on a desperate hunt to find sassy stylish headwear for a few weeks now. Everyone please calm down. The crisis is over. I will be rocking some fun head gear.
The thoughts in my head of me decked out in silky scarves are interrupted by my fitter who takes me to an area in the back. Party in the front, business in the back I think (please see previous blog entry about having cancer does not make me suddenly mature-just accept me). She asks me if its ok if one of their line reps they have visiting the store join us. In the dressing room. I glance at her and she seems to smile like hey girl-please? Sure I say. After all what is one more person taking a gander I think and shrug to myself. Breast cancer certainly doesn't come with modesty.
So there I am in this lushly appointed spacious dressing room with person #52 and #53 who has seen me without a shirt on in just the last few weeks alone. I soon realize my fitter with her vast experience is a wealth of knowledge about navigating through after surgery and beyond. She shares with me lots of really important information. Gold nuggets really. I'm told I will need to leave with items that clasp in front, are easy to put on and are what the doctor wants me in as well as this after surgery camisole (yes it buttons down the front) to hold devices that will be coming out of me. I won't elaborate on that any more. Im presented with a goody bag. At the top are these adorable pillows. Apparently there are amazing people out there who sew these gorgeous incredibly soft heart pillows in pink and white fabrics for me to be comfortable after surgery. Love those people. I don't know them but mad love out to them. Mostly because Im impressed with their sewing skills. I have to throw pants out if I lose a button and these ladies make these heart pillows??
Ok Lolita take your shirt off we are going to start fittings now knowledgable lady tells me. Yoooouuuu first I say in my cutest voice. They both laugh and then wait. I constantly resist the urge to say wait slow down! We need to stay on first base a little longer during each and every shirt off visit I have had. After a few minutes Im asked how it feels, what I think. Well I say with hesitation in my voice. What is it she prompts me? I explain that I do not own under garments that are just beige or white. Do you have like purple or maybe things with sparkles on it I ask hopefully? Oh hold on, hold on the rep gal says and comes back with lovely things named jungle mist and so on. Go on girl I tell her put those in the bag, those are going home with me.
So knowledgable lady tells me, Lolita I like you and your spunk! This is a tough time I can imagine and you are incredibly positive. I have the name and number for this great support group of gals who I think you should connect with while holding the paper in her hands. She tells me that many of the support groups out there are older women who are married and past menopause and don't care that much about sex. Oh no I care about sex, hand it over. I'll take that number. In the bag it goes.
I told you she had gold nuggets.
