STRUCK WITH FEAR and shock, many cancer victims can find it hard to cope with the life-threatening disease. But even in moments of great despair, there is always hope.
That’s why the coordinator of the Think Pink programme, which caters to cancer survivors and those battling the disease, is passionate about helping others feel their best.
Since the programme was launched, the facilitator, who asked that she be named as Ms Brathwaite, has been working with a special team to cater to women and men with cancer by offering services like wig selection consultation, make-up training, nail care, facial care, massage therapy and men’s grooming.
Brathwaite said that being involved with the programme, which was one part of the services offered by SB Therapy and Aesthetics Associates, gave her an overwhelming sense of joy.
“I light up because seeing that smile on somebody’s face and being able to help them means a lot to me. All of us have had difficult times in our lives. Some of us handle it with a smile, some of us don’t. And for the ones that don’t handle it with a smile, we want to get them there,” she said during a SUNDAY SUN interview at Sandy Crest Medical Centre in St James.
“There is a growing number of us in Barbados that go through some form of cancer and that’s a very sensitive time. It’s a time too that you reach out to people from all walks of life for knowledge and help. What we found is that there are people who go through it and there’s no one to guide you. There is the [Barbados] Cancer Society and so on, but it’s nice to know that there is somewhere outside of that setting that you can go in and have services done,” she said.
With skilled professionals like physiotherapists, hairstylists and massage therapists on the team, Brathwaite, a certified medical aesthetician, believes the Think Pink programme can help to transform lives. With this in mind, she meets every client on a one-on-one basis to make sure they receive a package that helps them shine. Brathwaite said the importance of guidance and care was not taken for granted by her teammates, some of whom were also cancer survivors.
“You might feel as though you are dying inside but [with the programme] you can look your best outside,” she said. “And sometimes when you feel that way it helps you to get to that next step. It might just be as simple as helping you get out of bed that morning because you look so pretty.
“So what we have designed is a personalised package. Every patient is different. You will have a private consultation in a normal setting so no one knows what you’re going in for, because you also have regular clients coming [for the aesthetic services] like a massage, a wig fitting, for make-up application or nova lashes.
“This service is very important because of the emotional time you go through. You’re scared, you’re looking at yourself in the mirror and you have no hair no eyebrows, no knowledge of what to do. You’re sensitive and you want help,” she said.
For the aesthetician of 16 years, there’s nothing more gratifying than helping clients look and feel great. As if a diagnosis isn’t frightening enough, bodily changes like nail discolouration, rashes and mouth sores can make the experience even more distressing, she said.
“Now hair loss, for women especially, is very hard because it’s so personal. Some people really love their hair. They go through a lot of emotions. Chances are with the chemo, in about two to three weeks you will start to lose your hair and by then most of it or all of it is gone.
“We will also teach you how to care for your scalp because you want to keep your hair follicles open so your hair doesn’t come back scarce in some areas. So we’ll teach you little tricks to guide you along the way.
“And our face – some of us love make-up, some of us don’t. Some of us don’t know how to put on a simple thing like blush, eyebrows or anything like that and you need help.”
She said there was also help for men. “. . . There’s not a lot, in terms of the cover-up, that we can do for men. But we do have men’s grooming so there may be areas where perhaps you’re getting back your hair growth, like a moustache or eye brows, and you have some grey in it, we can tint it, which is dye.”
Brathwaite said there was also help provided for those who needed assistance getting their medication or even food, noting that sometimes illness associated with cancer can leave some people drained and tired and lacking energy.
For her, there is also one accessory she believes people should never go without – a smile.
“Stay positive. Go with your gut instincts . . . and no matter what, smile. No matter how difficult it may seem, keep smiling because [having a positive outlook] may give you a great chance of beating [cancer] or getting to a comfortable stage when faced with this life-threatening illness,” she said. (LT)
