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‘Look Good, Feel Better’ boosts cancer patients’ moraleIt’s not too often there’s a party atmosphere in the Chemotherapy Department at the New Ulm Medical Center. But the “Look Good, Feel Better” program presented by the American Cancer Society seems to bring out a festive mood in the participating cancer patients. The program is a kind of self-esteem booster for cancer patients, explained Annette Larson of the American Cancer Society. Women who are battling cancer are invited to learn about the side effects of cancer treatments on their appearance and skin. They learn about makeup application, skin care, and options available to them when their hair starts falling out from the chemotherapy treatments. A video shown to the women at the start of the program encourages them to “take time to devote to yourself,” and that’s really what the program is about, said Nadine Bode. She participated in the program in the Twin Cities just after she finished her chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer in September 2005. Bode is such an advocate of the program she wanted to be on hand to help out at the first program offered in New Ulm at the end of February. “When you go through the cancer treatment, your skin changes, and makeup just doesn’t look right or you don’t feel like putting makeup on at all,” Bode explained. “This program just makes you feel good.” The evening of the first program, looking around the room, Bode said, “you can see all the fun they are having. They all came in shy and quiet, and by the end of the class they opened up, they were laughing together and having fun. This program is just the boost you need when you’re dealing with cancer.” Not only does the program offer a boost and a fun “make-up party” atmosphere, but also some important tips for the women, whose immune systems may be compromised by the illness they are battling. Larson and cosmetologist Shauna Moldan, from Shauna’s Hair Nook in Sleepy Eye, instructed participants to not “double dip” into lotions or other liquid items that come in contact with their skin. “Because it is a liquid, bacteria can grow in it,” Larson explained. “This is especially important at this point as you go through cancer treatment.” Cleaning makeup brushes and eyeliners is also helpful to prevent infection, she said. Acrylic nails should be avoided because they can lift and an infection can develop under the nail. Cosmetologists are recruited locally for the program and volunteer their time, Larson said. Moldan is a member of the National Cosmetology Association, which is a co-sponsor of the program. When she got an invitation last May to participate in the program, she thought it sounded like fun. The connection became more personal a month later when her own sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. The makeup for the program is collected from various companies and packaged by the National Cosmetology Association and the participants get to take it all home with them. “They don’t have to use this every day,” Bode said. “But, it’s just good that they’re able to feel like they’re getting back to normal like everyone else.” Wig care is also a component of the program as is discussing using different scarves, hats, and other head coverings. “It is just a fun evening,” said participant Beth Kretsch, who has been battling lung cancer since December 2002. Currently, her cancer is considered a “stable disease” and is not growing. “It was a fun opportunity to get together with the other ladies. We laughed and we learned some things.” A big benefit of the program, Kretsch said, is being able to share with others the similar problems they may be sharing due to the cancer treatments. “It helped us all learn a bit more about what we could do to give ourselves a little more self esteem,” Kretsch said. “Truthfully, I am not a makeup wearer and I never have been,” Kretsch said. “But, since I attended the program, I have started wearing more makeup. It just makes you feel good.” The medical center chemotherapy department plans to host the “Look Good, Feel Better” program every three months. The next one is scheduled for August 7, 2006. |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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