Breast Cancer Doula Support

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AS YOUR BREAST CANCER DOULA

You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice, but it’s OK to lean on someone and ask for support.

I was diagnosed in July 2018 with Stage 3C Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Ductal Carcinoma Insitu, and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, HER 2+, ER/PR -. The diagnosis forever changed my life. My treatment involved 6 rounds of chemo, with a 7-10 day hospital stay after each of the first five rounds, a bilateral mastectomy, radiation, and a hysterectomy. So I get it. I have been there. And I understand how this diagnosis can change YOUR life forever.

Everyone knows that you loose your hair with chemo, but no one tells you that you loose your taste, your sense of smell gets a lot stronger, your sensitivity to sounds and light increases, your nails turn black and fall off, or that the pain, especially in your bones that is indescribable. No one tells you about the fatigue, exhaustion, irritability, or worst of all the fog that you come to know as chemo brain. Your life completely changes and becomes focused on the cancer.

But you learn to make the best of it. You try to stay positive. You focus on the things that bring you joy, for me it was my dog Honey and my cat Annabelle Rose. What brings you joy? What will help you get through this part of your journey?

When I went through treatment, my friends and family did not know how to support me. They did the best that they could, but I did not know what I needed, so how could they know how to help me? That is part of why supporting other women on their breast cancer journey is so important to me. I understand that we all walk different paths, but I am here to help you, and your family, navigate your path the way I wish that someone had been there for me and my family.

What does a Breast Cancer Doula do?

  • I will attend any medical appointments related to your breast cancer diagnosis.

  • I will take notes for you at your appointments and support you in asking as many questions as you need to.

  • I will attend chemotherapy and radiation appointments with you.

  • I will support you prior to and after all medical procedures related to your diagnosis. This includes your port placement, lumpectomy, mastectomy, and hysterectomy.

  • I will help you find the words to speak to friends, family, and anyone else about what is going on and what you need from them to support you.

  • I will help facilitate conversations between family and friends so they can express their concerns.

  • I will be by your side onto listen, take notes, talk, and support you no matter what the diagnosis may bring.

  • If desired, I will document your journey through photography.

What a Breast Cancer Doula does not do.

  • I will not make any diagnosis.

  • I will not make any medical decisions for you.

  • I will not provide any medical treatment.

  • I am not a death doula, therefore my focus is not on focusing on end of life care, but I will help support you and your family through this journey if this is what you would like or I will provide referrals for death doulas in the area.

Self care isn't selfish.

We all need help sometimes. Don't feel guilty about reaching out to get the help that you desperately need. You deserve compassionate care. I am here for you.

Breast Cancer Doula Support Services

Attend Medical Appointments

  • 1 consultation before the appointment so that I know what the appointment will be about and what you would like my role will be. We will also go over any questions you may have for your provider.

  • I will meet you at your appointment.

  • I can take notes if you would like.

  • After your appointment, we can go over what was said and any questions you may have for the next appointment.

  • Appointments can be with any provider related to your breast cancer treatment or complications from treatment

Attend Medical Procedures

  • 1 consultation before the appointment so that I know what the appointment will be about and what my role will be. We will also go over any questions you may have for your provider.

  • I will meet you at your appointment.

  • I can take notes if you would like.

  • After your appointment, we can go over what was said and any questions you may have for the next appointment.

  • Medical procedures can include chemotherapy, radiation, port placement, PICC Line placement, Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, or Hysterectomy, etc.

Home Visits

  • 1 consultation before the visit so that I know what you would like the visit to entail.

  • Visit can involve light house keeping or meal prep, or meal being made.

  • Visit can also involve us hanging out and just providing comfort and someone to talk to about anything.

Facilitate Family/Friend Meetings

  • 1 -3 consultations before meeting to determine what your goals are for the meeting. Depending on the topics, this may require multiple consultations to best prepare.

  • We will try to meet in a neutral location and I will facilitate the meeting to help make sure you are able to tell your family what you want and need to tell them and that your family is able to communicate their needs and desires with you.