Patients

“Following surgery for breast cancer, and now enduring chemotherapy, the physical blows to my femininity and the emotional impact of the diagnosis have lowered my self confidence due to my dramatically altered appearance. Until my diagnosis I was a healthy, fit part-time model who then came to dread looking in the mirror.

The Look Good Feel Better workshop was very professionally run by extremely competent and skilled volunteers within a warm, nurturing environment. The knowledge and information they imparted on skin and scalp care was so specifically relevant to those of us undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

My appearance has definitely been improved after attending the workshop, and I now have a much healthier skin and scalp due to my new skin care routine. My previous technique of applying make-up was no longer adequate or appropriate due to changed circumstances with my hair loss and dry blotchy skin.

Hair loss particularly has been so stressful, and until attending the workshop I felt quite self-conscious about wearing my wig. However with my new make-up correctly applied, I now have the self-assurance I need to face the world.

Attending the Look Good Feel Better workshop has boosted my morale, improved my self-confidence and physically improved the condition of my skin and scalp.

Words cannot express the appreciation and gratitude I have towards both the volunteers who provide their time and expertise and also to the cosmetic companies who are so generously providing the beautiful products that we are able to take home.”

-Catherine, Christchurch

“A huge thank you to you! Recently I was lucky enough to be accepted to one of these workshops and wanted you all to know how much it was appreciated. Having just done the fourth stage of chemo, I was at an all time low, physically and emotionally. Not only did my body feel really bad, it was hard on the ego knowing I also looked really bad – no hair, eyebrows, stubbly eyelashes, blotchy acne skin, not to mention the extra pounds – but a couple of hours of Look Good Feel Better and I felt everything the name says.

I was really thrilled also at the make-up that had been selected for me. The colours were exactly what I would have chosen myself. Thank you so very much for providing this wonderful service! It is really a tonic to get through this very long journey.”

-Donna, Christchurch

“Recently I attended an afternoon in Invercargill where the Look Good Feel Better ladies treated us like royalty. As well as demonstrating the art of make-up and applying the same to us all, we were sent home with a most generous bag of cosmetics. I was very grateful so would you please pass on my sincere thanks to the sponsors. Being diagnosed with cancer is very traumatic, but the support of caring people is a big help.”

-Wisha, Invercargill

“I recently attended the Look Good Feel Better programme in Hastings . What a wonderful experience it was. Having had my cancer for five months, being able to meet up with other women in the same situation was very helpful. The happy atmosphere, the lovely ladies who helped us with our make-up, I learnt so much. I ended up with a new wig also, changing from dark brown to ash blonde, and with all the lovely make-up I was supplied with, I’ve got a real new look which makes me feel really good. My friends say I look ten years younger at 63 – what woman doesn’t want to be told that? I just can’t thank you enough for all your time and effort it must take to organise these events. If you could only feel how I feel now, it’s just wonderful to feel good about myself again. I had the last of my six chemos two weeks ago and have a scan next week. Everything is going well and my prognosis is very good. I’ve kept very positive from the start, I think of every day as a gift, and try to enjoy every minute of it. Many, many thanks again to you and team of wonderful people and to the cosmetic companies involved.”

-Margaret, Waipukurau

“Until August this year, I was a confident woman in my mid-30′s with a great job (which takes me all over the world) and enjoying a life that was pretty darn good. In just a few shattering weeks, a lot of that confidence and certainty had ebbed away as I coped with surgery, chemotherapy and yet-to-come radiotherapy for breast cancer.

The support I have received from friends, colleagues and family has been wonderful, but until last Friday no one had paid attention to what this cancer means to me, as a woman. My spirits had been pretty good until about 10 days ago when I had to stand and deliver a presentation in front of 80 people, all the time aware that my white tiled hotel bathroom was covered in so much of my hair that it looked like I had skinned a dog in there, and my face was blotchy, dry and breaking out all at once. After three uncomfortable and sleepless nights worrying about my hair loss, I had my hairdresser shave the whole lot off. I was tired, itchy, sore, sad and miserable.

Three days later I fronted up to the LGFB seminar in Wellington and Leigh and her volunteers took us into their kind and capable hands and made us feel valued again. Although I wear make-up every day, I learnt some wonderful new tricks in that seminar. Even better, for me, was learning how to make friends with my wig. The sense of solidarity and gratitude in the room as we left was palpable. The transformations that took place in those short hours sent us back into the world enlivened and feeling cared for.

Leigh is a wonderful front person for LGFB in Wellington and we enjoyed her upbeat, uplifting coaching. Please pass on my thanks to the programme sponsors and cosmetic houses – they are making a difference.”

-Jo, Wellington