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We've got that beautiful feeling
By Janice Youngwith
Facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment often means physical appearance changes that challenge personal perceptions, looks and even outlooks.
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| Jane Bawel, 47, lymphoma survivor who had a stem cell transplant, was delighted to get a red "biker's wig." |
Looking for support?
• The Living Well Cancer Resource Center, 1803 W. State St., Geneva, offers more than 30 free and supportive educational and exercise programs and services for those with cancer and their families. For information about programs and services, visit www.livingwellcrc.org or call (630) 262-1111.
• Wellness Place, 1619 W. Colonial Parkway, Palatine, offers resources, cancer support and education programs free of charge for those living with cancer and their families at For information, call (847) 221-2400 or visit www.wellnessplace.org.
• Wellness House, 131 N. County Line Road, Hinsdale. For information, call their voice line at (630) 323-5150. General information is available online at www.WellnessHouse.org.
• Cancer Wellness Center, 215 Revere Dr., Northbrook. For information call (847) 509-9595 or visit their Web site at www.cancerwellness.org.
• The American Cancer Society offers Patient Navigation Services designed to help cancer survivors and their families maintain and improve their quality of life throughout the cancer experience by providing comprehensive cancer information, support programs and community assistance referrals. Contact them at (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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But for two northwest suburban women, both who share harrowing cancer stories, a simple hair loss beauty solution helped recapture feelings of beauty and self-image.
Born to be wild
In September 2005, Jane Bawel's life changed dramatically. The lifelong DuPage County resident had been living the proverbial American dream - working in medical sales, a six-figure income, newly married to husband, Brandon and raising a blended family of five children.
Her diagnosis with a rare type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma changed everything.
"I noticed a few changes that summer and my gynecologist sent me to the hospital for some tests, including an internal ultrasound," recalls Bawel, 47. "The result was shocking. I had a stage 4 follicular lymphoma - something that I was told was treatable but not curable."
More typically seen in men in their late 60s and 70s, Bawel's cancer was treated with eight months of chemotherapy. Partial remission followed and she was able to return to work.
Just a few months later, she became ill and learned of a new blood cancer diagnosis - a very aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Seven additional months of chemotherapy, much of it done on an inpatient basis at Northwestern Memorial and Hinsdale Hospital, didn't rid her body of the cancer.
"I was told I would need a stem cell transplant to save my life and was fortunate to find a bone marrow match through the International Marrow Donor Registry," she reports. "I received my allogeneic transplant March 28, 2007 and feel blessed in many ways. Cancer has been a life-changing illness - emotionally, physically and financially."
Upon learning of Bawel's diagnosis and need, a group of friends and motorcycle enthusiasts organized a benefit ride to help the family cover expenses associated with transplant and long term cancer care.
"The ride and fundraiser were amazing and humbled my husband and I," she says. "We had to help others pay it forward."
Today, Bawel continues to struggle physically with residual graft-versus-host disease, primarily impacting her stomach and skin. Fatigue is a major issue and means she can no longer work. Neuropathy of the arms and legs limits some feeling and short term memory is impacted.
"Losing my hair to cancer treatment seemed like a small price to pay for a lifesaving second chance," she says. "While my hair did grow back after the initial treatment, I continue to lose hair due to some of my anti-rejection medications."
Bawel recalls seeing an American Cancer Society commercial and learning about their wig bank which offers free wigs to patients who experience hair loss due to cancer treatment.
"I had been wearing scarves and hats for nearly three years and had stopped going out," she reports. "But when I got my new red wig, that changed. I no longer stay home. All of my girlfriends are beautiful blondes, so choosing a red wig was a no-brainer. I wanted to stand out!"
Sporting her "biker wig," the longtime Harley-Davidson enthusiast says her new outlook is due in part to the many compliments she receives on the sassy new "do."
"Lots of things changed after transplant," Bawel says. "My skin type changed, I developed a passion for sports, tried golf, indulged my love of football... and became a redhead."
Bawel, who says her wig restored her zest for life, also attended an ACS cosmetics class and wellness classes at the Wellness House, a not-for-profit center for education and support located in Hinsdale.
"I've learned that I'm still here for a reason and together with my husband and our wonderful group of friends developed a not-for-profit 501c3 foundation, The Ride Janie Ride Foundation, which has become our way to pay it forward and help others facing the devastating fiscal impact of cancer treatment," she explains.
The Ride Janie Ride Foundation has benefited five recipients since 2007, offering financial assistance to children and adults with blood cancers and incurring medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Courage & hope take center stage
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| Julie Green, 24, left, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008. She says she feels gorgeous in her new brunette locks. |
Julie Green a 23-year-old lifelong Wauconda resident is no stranger to challenge. As a four-year-old preschooler she had a benign brain tumor treated by gamma knife surgery.
It wasn't until last fall that she heard the fateful diagnosis once again. "I'd been having headaches, some nausea and experienced weakness on one side," says Green, who had been working as a nanny and certified nursing assistant. "Tests revealed I had brain cancer."
Her complex treatment protocol included six weeks of low dose radiation in combination with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by a maintenance chemotherapy regimen. "In February, I tripped, fell and broke my hip," she explains. "That meant stopping treatment for a time as my immune system struggled to heal the break."
She then faced three surgeries to place and replace a special shunt - spending more than five weeks hospitalized in February and March of this year.
Green recently resumed chemotherapy and says she has a new lease on life, thanks to a wig that is restoring self-esteem lost when her shoulder-length brown hair fell out during radiation treatment.
"I kept my hair as long as I could and remember the strands falling all over the house," she says. "But when the weather turned cold in November, I learned of a special ACS program and went to the office for a private fitting."
Green says that since she was born a strawberry blonde, her mom suggested she become blonde once again. She was willing to experiment.
"The blonde wig just wasn't me," she says. "I received a gorgeous long, dark brunette wig and couldn't have been more excited. Later, a woman at church also gave me a dark blonde, short haired wig and now I like to change things up."
The wigs, she says, have lifted her spirit and make her feel gorgeous. With her energy returning, Green says she is getting out and especially enjoys all the compliments.
"I thank God every day for the ACS and have been blessed with not only a wig, but a hat, neck pillow and lots of resources," she reports. "I can't imagine anyone going through this battle without them!"
Hair care, wigs & more
Hair loss, experts say, is a common side effect of cancer treatment. While not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, even mild thinning or changes in texture can be devastating.
Free wigs and hair accessories to help disguise hair loss due to cancer treatment are available from the American Cancer Society by calling (800) 227-2345.
Clinics help cancer survivors put on a fresh face
Founded in 1989 by the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the National Cosmetology Association and the American Cancer Society, the free, two-hour beauty workshop, "Look Good... Feel Better," is offered to women undergoing cancer treatment. Workshops include a 12-step skin care and make up application session, professional advice on how to deal with hair loss and techniques for proper nail care.
Trained volunteer cosmetologists donate their time to lead sessions throughout the Chicago area, and across the nation.
Group makeover sessions offer women facing appearance-related side effects a chance to gain self-confidence and skills to transform not only looks, but outlooks, according to ACS volunteers leading Look Good... Feel Better workshops.
Free individual makeup kits, valued at $250, are provided to each participant, along with hands-on opportunities to use products and learn skills including measuring and drawing eyebrows, eyeliner application, skin conditioning and toning.
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