Dignity

My name is Kimberly Curtis and my story begins when I was 16. That's when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. I underwent three months  of chemotherapy and one month of radiation treatment. At that time, the doctors told me one of the possible side effects of the treatment was breast cancer. In my case, this turned out to be true.

When I was 19, I discovered a lump in my breast. I had a biopsy and I learned the lump was benign. I lived with that lump for 11 years before it started to grow. I told my gynecologist about the lump and my fears, but she said there was nothing to worry about. I had already had one biopsy. Still, I worried and the lump grew bigger — and painful. Everybody told me that breast cancer doesn’t hurt so there was nothing to worry about.

My gynecologist thought there was no need for concern, but did give me the names of some surgeons to perform another biopsy. That second biopsy showed a malignant tumor. I remember this day vividly, and not just because you never forget the day a doctor says you have cancer, but because it was also my father's birthday.

At age 30, I was diagnosed with invasive mammary carcinoma. The surgeon wasn’t expecting to find cancer so the tumor was removed in many small pieces. The pathology report showed a tumor about 0.9 cm in size with disease in both the ducts and lobules with adjoining DCIS. I was also triple negative.

So, on January 3, 2005, after months of worry, doctor's visits and consultations, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy. At that time I also had the first phase of my reconstruction completed. I chose to have the Latissimus Dorsi flap with tissue expanders.

Then, in February, on my 31st birthday, I began chemotherapy. I went through 4 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxin given every 3 weeks. I had a reaction to the Nuelasta shot so I continued through my chemo without the boost. I ended up in the hospital twice so I started taking the Luekine shot daily so I could continue with my chemo. I then had 12 doses of Taxol administered weekly.

In November of 2005 I had my expanders removed in exchange for silicone implants. At that time my surgeon also created my new nipples.

I've now completed both my breast cancer treatment and reconstructive surgery. As I write this, I know I'm not just telling my story. I'm telling the story of my parents John and Judy, my sister Kris, my fiancé Ken and my friends — all of these people were with me through every drip of chemo and every step of surgery.

My parents bought me Jewelry Making & Beading For Dummies so I could learn a hobby and distract myself during chemo. I loved it immediately. You can see my creations at www.missberlysdesigns.com. Jewelry making became more than a hobby, though, when I lost my job. Cancer treatment affects everyone differently. Unfortunately, I experienced all of the negative side effects of chemo you can imagine. I missed a lot of work because of it and used up all of my sick leave. At that point, my employer chose to fire me. I never imagined that along with my breasts and my hair, I'd lose my job, too.

I wish I could take credit for the Transition gown, but the original founder/owner of Assistwear is Sandi Crinkelmeyer and you can read her story below. I was simply a customer and used the gowns during both of my surgeries. I am so passionate about the benefits of these garments that my mission now is to help everyone that has to go through this heal with dignity.

Sandi Crinkelmeyer's Story~

In 1972, when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, it wasn’t on the tip of everyone’s tongue like it is today. Breast cancer increased 34% between 1973 and 1992. It is the most commonly diagnosed non-dermatological cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States in 2004. At age 46, the same age as my mother was when she was diagnosed over 30 years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer—the same breast and probably the same type of cancer as my Mom.

I came face to face with what my mother faced so bravely. It has been a challenge for me to follow her example of strength and faith. I believe I am successful. My mother still gives me strength and sets a great example for me to follow.

I was diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) in my left breast in December 2001 and had a mastectomy and TRAM Flap (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) reconstruction in January 2002. One of the most negative aspects of my recovery was the inability to manage the drain bulbs that were in place when I came out of surgery. The drain was connected to clear plastic tubing which was sutured to my skin at the point it leaves the skin. The tubing was connected to a bulb reservoir. The bulb, when squeezed empty, applied constant suction to the drain and pulled fluid out of my body. The fluid is what weighted the drains.

I have a vivid memory of the first time I had to get out of the hospital bed. I was pretty scared to stand up because the TRAM flap incision went from hipbone to hipbone. I was terrified that it was really going to hurt when I stood up. However, when you’ve got to use the restroom and the nurses want you up out of bed, you have no choice but to gut-up and do it! As it was throughout my stay in the hospital, the back-opening hospital gown was untied and there were six drain bulbs pinned to the inside of the gown. When I got out of bed the weight of the drains pulled on the gown and it fell off me to the floor! I was horrified. A million thoughts and fears went through my mind in a split second. First of all, I had no idea how deep the drain tubes went inside me and I thought they were going to come out. I envisioned blood going all over the place, more surgery, etc. There I stood naked with this gown dangling from the drain tubes. I was scared to death and humiliated at the same time. It was that undignified experience, and the hassle of trying to keep the gown up on my shoulders, that led me to design the Transition Gown.

The first day home from the hospital I was determined to think of some way to keep from having to pin those darn drains to my nightgown. I turned a robe inside out and used the pockets to hold the drain bulbs. One problem was that the robe was bulky and looked like an inside-out robe…not very presentable! My sister, Jean, was staying with me. I told her that I wanted to design a gown so that other women would not have to suffer the indignity that I did. She sews, so she and I worked together and made the first gown. I was so excited because all my life I have felt that I wanted to make a difference in this world, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Once we made the gown, I was certain that God was giving me the opportunity to serve others this way. When a client tells me how the gown helped her after surgery, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to provide this service.

My passion is providing others the opportunity to have dignity in healing. It is intrinsic that dignity is a component in healing—I believe a major component. The Transition Gown is the first of many of my designs that provide dignity to patients. It is with the loving support of my husband, Ollie, my daughter, Whitney Davis, and all of my family and my mother’s inspirational example that I am proud to introduce you to my company, Assistwear™. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share my story with you!