"Look Good - Feel Better"

Rague
Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Once again I haven't seen anything recently about the "Look Good - Feel Better" classes and we have a lot of 'Newbies' so thought I'd bring it up again.

"Look Good - Feel Better" is through the ACS and local Cancer Centers - it is for women AND men. You will be taught about so much as to how to 'look good' and thus 'feel better' while dealing with the ravages of BC TX.

You will be given a bag of 'goodies' that are donated by major cosmetic companies. The classes are taught by professionals who are experienced with the issues with TX. There are many 'tricks' that can be used.

Obviously - each is a bit different. I went to first one before I had lost my hair, the Salon owner who was doing it took one look at me and said "I have the perfect wig for you! Just got it in from the manuffacturer and had no clue who it would be right for but it's you." She was right it was so I picked it up the next day. The BC Navigator had given me a wig a few days before the class - she liked it on me but Hubby and Son didn't so I took it with me to give back. There was a lady there who it was absolutely perfect for. What goes around comees around.

SO - check with your Center or your local ACS for when the next "Look Good - Feel Better" class is - they are great! Plus you will meet others "Kindred Spirits".

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

Comments

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #2
    Agree
    I went to one when I was near the end of chemo. I was wanting to acquire and improve make-up and wig skills, as I was hoping to return to school (work) in September and knew my hair would not yet have returned very much.

    Another bc woman I met while visiting my relatives in Ohio had given me eyebrow powder to use and told me about these workshops. She said that I ought to see what there might be in my area. Since I was not able to go to work at that time because of doing chemo, I did not feel too rushed to look into doing that. I wasn't caring a whole lot about how I looked, as I was doing ok with the wig the few times I'd wear it (i.e. church, outings). I had taken to wearing my glasses instead of contacts, which helped hide the fact I had no eyebrows or eyelashes (happened when I started the taxol portion of my treatment).

    I wasn't sure, though, about my comfort factor when it came to returning to school. (I work in the special ed department, Grades 5, 7, and 9.) So, I went in the summer. I had my chemo pattern figured out and thought I would be ok with going to the one I did.

    I was glad I did. It was worth it to me to pick up a few tips and skills. The ladies who did the workshop were excellent.
  • Sdawells
    Sdawells Member Posts: 23 Member
    #3
    I can't seem to make up my
    I can't seem to make up my mind about calling my local program. I'm not much of a joiner and really am not comfortable in a group setting. Do you know if private classes are offered? I've been especially concerned about finding a wig. My insurance company has been of little help in telling me where to go that will accept my coverage. Any suggestions. Thanks
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    Sdawells said:

    I can't seem to make up my
    I can't seem to make up my mind about calling my local program. I'm not much of a joiner and really am not comfortable in a group setting. Do you know if private classes are offered? I've been especially concerned about finding a wig. My insurance company has been of little help in telling me where to go that will accept my coverage. Any suggestions. Thanks

    Talk to your BCN
    Ask about how many might be in the class. The first one I went to had 8 in it. Don't know how all are run but the ones I've been to were not exactly like a 'class' in school. Remember that ALL the people who will be there, are going through what you are, at various levels. It's not a 'joining thing' - it's a one tiime experience.

    Talk to the Breast Cancer Navigator at your Center. She should have already met with you to tell you what is offered to you. As I said I was given a wig she thought looked great for me but Hubby and Son didn't like it at all (I didn't either really but it was perfect for another woman at the class) but at the Look Good Feel Better class, I was told that there was a recent donation from the manufacturer thatshe had no idea who it would be for but once she saw me thought it would be great for me - she was right.

    Can't help with you with dealiing with insurance companies - my care is through VA.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #5
    Rague said:

    Talk to your BCN
    Ask about how many might be in the class. The first one I went to had 8 in it. Don't know how all are run but the ones I've been to were not exactly like a 'class' in school. Remember that ALL the people who will be there, are going through what you are, at various levels. It's not a 'joining thing' - it's a one tiime experience.

    Talk to the Breast Cancer Navigator at your Center. She should have already met with you to tell you what is offered to you. As I said I was given a wig she thought looked great for me but Hubby and Son didn't like it at all (I didn't either really but it was perfect for another woman at the class) but at the Look Good Feel Better class, I was told that there was a recent donation from the manufacturer thatshe had no idea who it would be for but once she saw me thought it would be great for me - she was right.

    Can't help with you with dealiing with insurance companies - my care is through VA.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    Options
    My LGFB class had six in it. They limit how many can come for one.
    As for wigs, a nearby ACS office sent me two, based on a description I gave the lady (I directed her to a catalog she had.) My own hair was fairly short and salt/pepper in color. When I got the wigs -- she sent 2 -- the length was good, but they were too "salty." She said that I could order from the ACS catalog, using a $45 voucher she could issue me. Remembering how "salty" the ones were I got, I ordered one that was more my color when I was a little younger, as I decided I did not need to be looking old at this particular time. I got one with highlights because I thought it would look less fake.

    I will say that I got a lot of compliments on my wig. I looked no different than the women I know who color their hair -- in fact, my hair looked better than most of them.

    I would suggest you check into the vouchers. This is the link to the catalog that has the wigs (and hats, scarves, other items). http://www.tlcdirect.org/

    I have heard that some insurance companies will help with the wig expense; but I did not do that because most of my cost (all but $1 and the SH) was covered by that voucher.

    Hope this helps.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
    desertgirl947 said:

    Options
    My LGFB class had six in it. They limit how many can come for one.
    As for wigs, a nearby ACS office sent me two, based on a description I gave the lady (I directed her to a catalog she had.) My own hair was fairly short and salt/pepper in color. When I got the wigs -- she sent 2 -- the length was good, but they were too "salty." She said that I could order from the ACS catalog, using a $45 voucher she could issue me. Remembering how "salty" the ones were I got, I ordered one that was more my color when I was a little younger, as I decided I did not need to be looking old at this particular time. I got one with highlights because I thought it would look less fake.

    I will say that I got a lot of compliments on my wig. I looked no different than the women I know who color their hair -- in fact, my hair looked better than most of them.

    I would suggest you check into the vouchers. This is the link to the catalog that has the wigs (and hats, scarves, other items). http://www.tlcdirect.org/

    I have heard that some insurance companies will help with the wig expense; but I did not do that because most of my cost (all but $1 and the SH) was covered by that voucher.

    Hope this helps.

    Some of us aren't so lucky
    Some of us aren't so lucky as to get 'salt n pepper' with age. My hair is still as dark brown (almost black but not quite) as it was when I wa a teen. I HATE it when someone I don't even know tells me I shouldn't dye my hair to dark - I DON'T DYE IT! (Genetic from Daddy's side of the family - definately not Mom's side . LOL) My hair was almost to my waist when DX'd but cut iinto a 'Gypsy Shag' (VERY old cut) before the class and the wig I got then was a much lighter friosted 'Gypsy Shag'. When VA bought my wig, I got a lighter frosted 'Pixie' as we were in the worst time of winter with wind a big deal and the Shag did not. 'like' it. Actually, mòof the time I wore scarfs and Momba socks that I made as I'm outdoors a lot and they kept my head warmer.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

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