Local boutique helping cancer patients look and feel their best

KETTERING — Communities in the Miami Valley are continuing to raise awareness for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

One local hospital has a unique feature for cancer patients. News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott took a tour of the Renew Boutique and Spa at Kettering Health that serves women across the Miami Valley as well as other states.

The boutique has been a part of the cancer center for five years, and Jaime Testa, manager of the boutique, says it’s amazing everyday to be able to help patients.

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“It it’s overwhelming at times,” Testa said. “Getting to play such a pivotal role in someone’s cancer journey is emotional and mind boggling that I get to be a part of it.”

She is able to give patients their confidence back since chemo or radiation treatments can often create insecurities.

“One of the hardest things that our patients have expressed to us is the loss of hair because it’s the, you know, the visualization of the diagnosis,” Testa said.

That’s why the boutique has multiple walls of wigs for patients to pick their favorite, and they can even get them customized.

“Choosing a wig is, you know, like harder than choosing a wedding dress,” Testa said.

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Another wall in the boutique is made up of compression bras. The bras help after women go through treatment.

“It can help with fluid retention or discomfort,” Testa said. “Radiologists like to put our patients in a compression bra just to kind of expedite the healing.”

For women who have mastectomies and don’t want to have cosmetic surgery or aren’t happy with their chest, there are options for them through prosthetics.

“Having the ability to wear a prosthetic in its place, and to be offered a beautiful garment to wear that prosthetic with is something that’s really important to us to meet that patient,” Testa said.

Cancer patients are also under a lot of stress so they can take advantage of the spa section of the boutique.

“We offer massage and reflexology to all of our patients,” Testa said.

Testa says the best part of her day is seeing women come in not completely themselves, then leaving with all the confidence in the world.

“They are absolutely glowing, shoulders back again, new person walking out of it and it I get goosebumps at least twice a day from moments like that,” Testa said.

The boutique also sells support squad shirts and the proceeds go to help women battling breast cancer in the area.

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