Show I i I FROM gi it 1 ONE CELL 7 CELL I By Jy Marie L L. L Godfrey Uintah Unit President American Cancer Society Rehabilitation following Following surgery for Cor breast cancer the most important thing to a patient is isa isa isa a return to a normal life There is no question that the return can be complete complete com come and successful but often ollen the patient patient pa pa- tient Bent takes some time to realize this if II she ever does Women who have had mastectomies almost unanimously agree that the most important help they received was from a Reach to Recovery volunteer a person successfully adjusted to her own surgery Eventually physicians will request a aR aR aa R a to R volunteer prior to surgery but most commonly the request comes following surgery The request for Cor a volunteer must come from the physician physician cian clan and not from a friend or family member Often however the original suggestion comes from Crom someone other than the physician Once the patients patient's physician has given permission the volunteer usually makes a hospital visit a few days after surgery As a well well groomed groomed and properly fitted former Cormer mastectomy patient patient patient pa pa- tient the R to R volunteer is able to give an emotional boost at a difficult time She is specifically trained to assist the patient in ways She brings brings brings br br- br- br ings a kit containing a temporary breast form exercise equipment and a amanuel amanuel amanuel manuel of information about rehabilitative exercises When in indicated indicated indicated in- in by the physician she will actually actually actually ac ac- ac- ac help teach the exercises and even provide reassuring literature for the patients patient's lIls lIl's husband and teenage children The volunteer often follows up with a ahome ahome ahome home visit and may even go along when the patient gets fitted for her permanent permanent permanent perma perma- nent prosthesis She also keeps up to date information on prosthesis and bathing suits available locally All information about the patient is kept in strict confidence and there is never any charge for Cor Reach to Recovery services In some cities male volunteers help the patients patient's husband cope with the trauma of his wife's surgery Special exercise and self help groups are also available often through a local swimming swimming swimming ing pool program Because of the limited facilities of the Uintah County Hospital women from this area usually have their breast surgery in with a Salt Lake fake cian If the physician requests a Reach to Recovery volunteer in the Uintah Uintah Uintah Uin Uin- tah Unit can give a follow up visit here herein in Vernal To be sure this is done however a friend of the patient should check with the Uintah Unit at A local physician could also request the services of a volunteer In 1977 seven women in Uintah County County County Coun Coun- ty had surgery for breast cancer but our Reach to Recovery volunteer has received no requests for help She has a alot alot alot lot to offer lets let's put her to work I There are several important things a mastectomy patient should know 1 complete recovery is not only possible but common 2 since the remaining breast is a prime target for cancer breast self examination and regular checkups are essential and 3 reconstruction of the missing breast is often possible |