Non-Traditional Approach To Healing From Cancer
PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) -- Breast cancer treatments are often accompanied by hair loss, nausea and overall misery, but there's a South Florida facility working to make the best of a difficult situation.
The Image Recovery Center in Pembroke Pines helps patients deal with breast cancer.
Beth Wyrick remembers the exact day her hair started to fall out. It was 15 days after her chemo started.
But as scary as her breast cancer diagnosis was, the change to her appearance really shook her up.
"I've been sick before. I can handle not feeling well. But your hair is something that was - it was hard," Wyrick admitted.
That emotional impact led to the creation of the Image Recovery Center based at Memorial Hospital's Pembroke Pines campus.
It's where they mix the traditional with the non-traditional approach to healing.
Women have their doctor visits, chemotherapy, wig and salon services all in one place.
"It's a very difficult time in their lives and it's important for them to feel good. And for a lot of patients, when they look good, it helps their mental health and it helps them to feel good," explained Dr. Maricer Escabon, a breast oncologist at Memorial West.
It seems to be working.
"From the second I walked in here, I felt like you know what? It's hard, but I can do it," Wyrick said joking back tears.
She really understands how different this breast cancer treatment is. Her mother is also a breast cancer survivor.
"She said you know Beth, you are so fortunate to have all these options. I didn't have that."
Those options are helping Wyrick smile as she shows off her box of wigs, and jokes about how her friends are encouraging her.
"They all want a wig and a hat."
For more information about breast cancer education, diagnosis and treatment, just go to this website, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Chapter.
