Amoena Life Spring 2016 US

amoenalife For you, like no other.

amoena.us | amoena.ca

Spring 2016

Fashion: Insider Secrets

Be amazed as we shed light on some common fashion questions

Feeling Feminine

Trusting her new body is key to embracing every good day

The Heat of the Moment

Explore your options for cooling those hot flashes

Plus

NEWS PORTRAITS AND MUCH MORE!

Learn to Love You

The answer for handling intimacy after breast cancer

from the editor Lee Thrash, Editor • info@amoena.com AmoenaUSA • AmoenaUSA

One of the privileges we receive annually, here at the Amoena corporate office, is the opportunity to assist at our warehouse when it’s time to count product inventory. I know you’re scratching your head right now, thinking, “Did she just say, ‘privilege?’”

And I’ll be the first to admit, when the email arrives in my inbox before inventory days, asking for volunteers, I’m not always jump-up-and-down enthusiastic about it. Shifting schedules around isn’t easy for anyone, and, well… it’s not exactly an easy job.

I have limped home from many an inventory shift, unusually aware of my aching feet—and most grateful for my office chair and air conditioning!

However (and this is big): I always kind-of enjoy being there, once I

get there. For one thing, Amoena warehouse staff are excellent people, and fun to work with. I admire very much what they do every day to get you the products you need. It’s helpful to know how that side of the business works, of course, and I learn a lot about things like logistics and timing (and the beauty of a 15-minute break!).

More important, it’s a chance to be physically connected to the Amoena products that might change someone’s life. Sometimes I think about the breast form or bra as I’m counting it—knowing that when it leaves our shelves, its destination is a person’s home. It will become an intimate part of her everyday life. When I remember, I whisper a little secret blessing as I pack it back up carefully.

in this issue...

Life is Good We make it a promise with comfortable support designed for your life.

To find Amoena near you, visit our store locator at www.amoena.us/stores or call 1-800-741-0078.

In Canada, visit amoena.ca.

amoena.us Amoena is a registered trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH. “For you, like no other.” is a trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH pending registration. ©2016 All rights reserved Amoena USA Corporation, Kennesaw, GA 30144-4582 USA

Features

Fashion

10 Cover Story Learn to Love YOU Handling intimacy after breast cancer

6 Amoena Lingerie Insider Secrets: What every woman needs to know

15 Mind & Body Color Your HeART! An old childhood favorite

16 Amoena Swimwear Destination Paradise

18 Real Life Feeling Feminine Learn Elian’s key to embracing every good day 19 Mind & Body Your Health is a Core Issue Strengthen the whole body, starting at the center 20 Report Heat of the Moment Options for cooling those hot flashes 24 Beauty A Story of Lipstick and Rouge …and our changing attitudes about beauty

That’s a privilege.

We’re talking about secrets and intimate details in this issue, because they’re topics that deserve attention.

Our cover story on page 10 goes behind bedroom doors to reveal a gentle solution for your intimacy-aftercancer fears. Following that, a new “Ask the Experts” feature answers actual sex questions. We’re also sharing Amoena fashion secrets and busting some bra myths, beginning on page 6—plus, your favorites: survivor profiles, beauty advice and healthy recipes.

As always, we love to hear your thoughts—we hope it’s no secret we appreciate you!

10

22 Amoena Home and Leisure Comfort: Every Treasured Friendship

Regulars 4 Up Front The latest on issues that affect you 29 Feelin’ Kinda Funny Hints and Allegations Talking about intimacy isn’t easy 28 Survivor Portrait Rituals of Remembrance for Survivorship by Teresa Schreiber Werth

20

Correction: In our Fall 2015 issue, Marjorie Schwartz was incorrectly identified as a peer counselor with Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). She is a helpline volunteer, support group facilitator and board member for SHARE. We regret the error.

on the coveR

Our cover model, Elian Daris, 48, is a breast cancer survivor.

Photographer: Dorothea Craven

Publisher Amoena USA Corporation | Editor Lee Thrash | Contributors Dianne Armitage, Paula Flory, Beth Leibson, Christina Relf, Teresa Schreiber Werth | Art Director Shan Willoughby | Design Sekayi Stephens | Photography Dorothea Craven, iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, Dollar Photo Club | Contact Amoena Life, 1701 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Ste. 410, Kennesaw, GA USA 30144, 1-800-741-0078, amoenalife@amoena.com | The entire contents of this publication is copyrighted by Amoena, Kennesaw, GA, USA 2015-2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents in any manner is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher. Amoena Life magazine is published twice a year and is available by request. Amoena Life magazine is distributed to subscribers, retailers and medical facilities. No liability for unsolicited manuscripts. Amoena cannot be liable for pictorial or typographical errors. While every effort is taken to ensure the information contained in this magazine is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any use of or reliance on the accuracy of such information. Any information provided is not a substitute for professional care and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have, or suspect you have a health problem, you should consult your doctor. The editor reserves the right to edit or abridge letters.

[ up front ]

Up Front

The latest news and tidbits relevant to you

Around the World to Celebrate Amoena went across the globe in a monumental 40th Anniversary effort to express our gratitude for making us who we are today, and for helping us celebrate throughout 2015. The resulting video is a gift FOR YOU! Yes, absolutely—you, reading this magazine—and all of our worldwide retailers, partners and friends. Visit www.amoena.us/thank-you to get a personal glimpse inside the Amoena offices in every country we could think of—then, please share it in social media!

Danke… Merci… Gracias… Tak (that’s Danish)… Thank YOU!

Mammogram Recommendations Continue to Evolve Leaving hype and hyperbole in their wake, guidelines make headlines again New guidelines released by the American Cancer Society (ACS) last October—an auspicious time to be talking about breast cancer in the first place—sent another ripple of concerned response through U.S. breast cancer organizations, blogs and news sites. The ACS now suggests that women of average breast cancer risk start screening at age 45, not 40, and continue yearly until 55 or about menopause age. Within these new recommendations, one goal is to reduce the number of false positives, which can cause distress for the patient, and lead to further costly imaging or biopsy procedures. Interesting online responses included: From surgeon, researcher, and activist, Dr. Susan Love www.drslrf.org “The first thing to remember is that science is not static. We do research and we analyze data and we make our best guess based on what we know at the time…. It is important to point out that the risk for the average woman of getting breast cancer increases with age. As to early detection, it can be important but not always or often. It is still true that one in eight women will develop breast cancer but that risk is calculated over a lifetime. Depending on your age, the risk over the next 10 years is not as high. As I realized only all too well when I was diagnosed with AML (leukemia), whatever happens to you, even if it is statistically rare, is 100%.”

From breast surgeon, Dr. Beth Dupree www.drbethdupree.wordpress.com “A benign diagnosis from a breast biopsy is not an ‘unnecessary’ biopsy; it is fortunate for that patient that she 4 Spring 2016

For Your Bookshelf Two encouraging books from author Judi Moreo Both books are available for purchase at www.judimoreo.com and at Amazon.

You Are More Than Enough

Overcoming Cancer: A Journey Of Faith

Self-help titles abound, no doubt about it. But none zeroes in on the heart of women’s desire to know, “You Are More Than Enough,” as directly as this book does.

If you don’t crave an uplifting statement like that, more power to you, but Judi Moreo’s book intends to ignite your “purpose, passion and power” if you do. Her personal success glows bright as inspiration: Now a worldrenowned speaker and influencer, Judi started as an entrepreneur with just $2,000 to launch her first business. The book includes self-discovery exercises and powerful affirmations you can use to create the habits you need for a whole new fulfilling life.

When Judi was abruptly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, the disorganized and frightening way that “standard” doctors began advising her didn’t feel right. “I wanted treatment,” she writes, “that was ‘above standard.’” So when she searched out and found a naturopathic doctor, and his first words to her were, “Let’s see if we can get you well,” it resonated. Her 2013 book details how an alternative healing plan helped her change her lifestyle and focus on her health in a positive way. It’s a motivational, faithfilled account, which Judi wrote to give others the courage to listen to their own bodies and hearts.

This Shoe Fits! Making Strides in Atlanta Joining in the mission to “help finish the fight”

does not have cancer. Many aggressive breast cancers mimic benign growths in the breast such as fibroadenomas and complex cystic masses. It takes a minimally invasive breast biopsy to tell them apart…. Know your breasts. Since 20% of breast cancers are not found easily with screening studies, and some cancers grow rapidly, breast exams matter. So become familiar with your breasts and if you feel something, don’t panic, see your doctor…. The take home message is to be aware of your personal risks and modify those that you can.”

Experts stress that these recommendations do not apply to women who are at higher risk of breast cancer; that is, women with personal history of breast cancer, a suspected or confirmed genetic mutation (e.g., BRCA), or previous radiotherapy to the chest at a young age.

Last October, we gladly laced up our walking shoes in Atlanta, home of Amoena’s corporate office, for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides 5K Walk. As lead sponsor of the Survivors’ tent in 2 different metro locations, we were honored to: •S upport YOU as you walked, ran and raised funds for breast cancer research • Celebrate survivorship and pay tribute to all of those touched by the disease • Share Amoena Life magazine and tell you about our pocketed clothing collections • Snap pics with you in fun, costumefilled photo booths!

Your enthusiasm motivated us, your kindness welcomed and warmed us… even your dogs (dressed up in pink tutus, of course) inspired us!

Speaking Circuit: 2016 POWER Symposium Amoena retailers have the chance to hear this dynamic speaker and coach in person at the 2016 POWER Symposium in Las Vegas, March 2-4, sponsored by Amoena and Juzo.

If you’re an Amoena retailer, visit www.thepowersymposium.com for registration information.

#happiness A few recent faves from the Twitterstream:

Dean Gloster @deangloster You can’t buy happiness. But you can buy #books and #coffee Close enough.

Zen Moments @Zen_Moments Don’t seek Happiness. If you seek it, you won’t find it, because seeking is the antithesis of happiness. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Epic Women @Epic_Women A secret to happiness is letting every situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be, and then making the best of it.

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[ fashion ]

Insider Secrets:

FLIRTY FEMININITY: Scalloped lace trim and a springtime play on “neutral.”

Angelique padded wire-free bra in Apricot, sizes 32 to 36 A; 32 to 40, B to D.

What every woman needs to know Thin molded foam inserts – the smoothing secret ingredient!

“My lumpectomy left me so uneven, I didn’t think I’d wear fitted shirts again, but a padded bra and a partial shaper does the trick.”

–Karin

Pssst! Lean in a little closer...

Would you like to know what really makes great lingerie? When you step into the fitting room do you ever wonder why one bra fits and another one doesn’t? With 40 years’ experience, Amoena and our expert fitters are uniquely qualified to answer questions like those, share our insider secrets, and maybe dispel a few myths you might have encountered.

It’s no mystery that you deserve, and can have, a perfectly beautiful bra that’s just right for you.

ANIMAL OPTION: T-shirt bras don’t have to be plain! Jane padded wire-free bra in Hazel, sizes 32 to 42, AA to D, and matching panty, sizes 6 to 16.

Modeled by survivors Annette, 50; Karin, 55; Angela, 57.

Our secret is out! To see the full Spring 2016 collection, go to www.amoena.us/amoenalife.

6 Spring 2016

PICTURE PERFECT: Bestselling Lara in smooth satin helps hide any imperfections. Lara Satin wire-free bra in Terracotta, sizes 32 to 42, AA to D, and matching panty, sizes 6 to 16.

SMOOTH AS SILK: T-shirts love this bra and a partial shaper can lift your décolleté. Lilly padded wire-free bra in Off-White, sizes 32 to 42, AA to D and matching panty, sizes 6 to 18.

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[ fashion ] ABOVE AND BELOW: We love extra padding on the shoulders; straps should never dig in. Below the bust, a wider underband adds stability. Isadora wire-free bra in Raspberry, sizes 34 to 50 A; 32 to 48, B to D; 32 to 44, DD to G; and matching panty, sizes 6 to 24.

EXTREMELY ELEGANT: Amoena Seduction bras have lower necklines and fabulous embellishments, to ensure “sexy” is an everyday possibility.

Adriana wire-free bra in Off-White/Bisque, sizes 32 to 36 A; 32 to 40, B to D; and 32 to 38 DD; and matching panty, sizes 6 to 16.

“The bras I used to buy were never 100% comfortable. I thought my breast surgery would make that even worse… but then I discovered Amoena bras.”

–Annette

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Softer trims and elastics make the difference in comfort.

Katy wire-free bra in Cognac, sizes 32 to 44, AA to DDD.

NO POKING: We’re experts at soft bras, but even our underwire bras are gentle. Tracy wirefree bra in Apricot/ Off-White, sizes 32 to 40, A to D, and matching panty, sizes 6 to 16.

In 2016, look for more comfort improvements to every bra style!

8 Spring 2016

HINT: LACE OVERLAY: When we lay lace over nude, it hints at romance while still supporting you. Popular Annette, now in a wire-free bra in Black/Nude. Sizes 32 to 40, A to D.

New Nude!

Introducing a rich, modern shade of neutral.

“When I imagined mastectomy bras, “lace” and “sexy” were definitely words I thought I’d left behind. Happily, that is not the case!”

–Angela

STRETCH AND BEND: The secret to great lace is to make it elastic, so it hugs close to your skin for breast form support and a better fit. Karla wire-free bra in Nude, sizes 32 to 42, A to D, and matching panty, sizes 6 to 16.

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[ cover story ]

Learn to Love

YOU The answer for handling intimacy after breast cancer

By Christina Relf

Did your sexuality suffer when surgery changed your body?

Intimacy is possibly the last taboo when it comes to talking about the effects of breast cancer. Here, we take a peek under the covers, and share some personal stories from different viewpoints.

What happens when cancer strikes and surgery leaves us with scars—both mental and physical? For some women, the loss of one or both breasts changes the way they see themselves—they feel less sexy, less feminine, and this inevitably impacts their intimate relationships.

It’s all too easy to compare yourself with other women and feel inadequate.

But—brace yourself—the expert advice here is not to run away from your altered reflection, but learn to love it. According to Barbara Musser, breast cancer survivor, author, coach and founder of sexyaftercancer.com, reconnecting with yourself is your key focus, before reaching out to your partner. Barbara has made it her life’s work to help women and couples reboot their sex lives after cancer. And she’s adamant that the first step is to look in the mirror.

Through the looking glass

Many of us find it uncomfortable even to be left sitting in front of the hairdresser’s mirror for too long, but Barbara’s ‘mirror practice’ course invites us to see our reflection in order to change the way we see ourselves.

“This is a way of engaging with yourself as if you were looking at someone you love. It works because it can actually create new neural pathways in our brains, so we start to think differently,” she says.

The process is split into three stages—the first involves simply looking into your own face in the mirror for 5 minutes a day and saying “I love you. You’re beautiful.” Doing this each day for 30 days is ideal. Then you move on to looking at your whole body, dressed in clothes that make you feel gorgeous, and repeat the process.

This sets the tone for the final, and most difficult, part—standing naked at the mirror, looking at your breast area and your whole body, and affirming your love and acceptance.

10 Spring 2016

amoena.us 11

[ cover story ]

Barbara recognizes that our negative inner voices may not instantly respond to all this positivity, but insists that repetition is key: “You know the saying, ‘seeing is believing?’

It should really be ‘believing is seeing,’ because when we change our inner thoughts to positive ones, that’s what we start to see in the mirror. When your inner voice criticizes you, consciously change your thoughts and say, ‘I love myself’ or ‘I am gorgeous.’ Over time, your beliefs about yourself will begin to shift.”

Sexual healing

Accepting ourselves is one thing—but how do men cope when their partner experiences a life-threatening diagnosis, disfiguring surgery and the side-effects of hormonal therapy?

Amoena Life reader Jackie feels grateful that her husband helped her shower immediately upon returning home from hospital. It meant he had no choice but to see her scar, and she had no choice but to show him. “It must have been very difficult for him, but what he said helped me so much.”

Jackie’s husband reassured her that a reconstruction was not important, but that if she wanted it, then that would be OK too. “Relief flooded through me, and to this day I am eternally grateful for those words,” she says.

“What I actually love about my flat side is how I can snuggle right up close to my husband and I can feel his heart through my chest.”

Both Jackie and Moira emphasize that intimacy comes in many forms and it’s crucial to keep the lines of communication open. “Men are used to being able to fix stuff, and this just isn’t an easy fix,” says Moira. “Women are afraid they will be rejected, so they don’t talk about their fears, and the silence just grows. For us, talking about everything and keeping a sense of humour has got us through some scary times.”

Jackie says it’s also vital to stay close: “Cuddle, kiss, hold hands, spend time with each other. There are so many ways to be intimate.”

Barbara Musser couldn’t agree more. “Most men are just so relieved that their partner is safe. They don’t care about her scars as long as they can hold her, kiss her and love her.

But a woman has to be ready to accept that love, in whatever form it comes.

“Breast cancer can bring a couple together or blow them apart. It amplifies what is already going on in the relationship.

This is why the need for communication becomes so much stronger. It is really important for the couple to be able to

“Most men are just so relieved that their partner is safe. They don’t care about her scars as long as they can hold her, kiss her and love her. But a woman has to be ready to accept that love, in whatever form it comes.”

Jackie acknowledges that over the next weeks and months she struggled with her body image. “I felt half little girl and half woman—definitely less feminine and definitely not sexy!” Making more effort with pretty lingerie helped, and Jackie is grateful that there’s so much more to love about mastectomy lingerie these days. She still prefers to stay partially covered when making love, but has come to terms with the way things are. “I think it’s important to enjoy what we do have,” she says.

Moira found that being diagnosed in her late 50s meant she was already secure enough in her sexuality not to be threatened by the loss of a breast: “I may have had a very different reaction had I been younger.”

Although at first she was hesitant about revealing her scar to her husband, her fears evaporated when she did so.

“He said, ‘You don’t need two boobs to be gorgeous!’ That was all it took; I relaxed and I have never looked back.” She also found an unexpected bonus about her mastectomy: 12 Spring 2016

share what they are experiencing, and not be unhinged by whatever they hear.

“And remember, it’s not realistic to believe you’ll be able to resume your previous sexual activity during and after treatment—particularly if a woman is having hormonal therapy. This is where you need to talk about what you can do to keep the intimacy alive. Trust me, it is possible. You may even end up with a more intimate relationship than you ever had before diagnosis.”

Barbara offers practical tips on her website and in her book, Sexy After Cancer. One that’s especially effective: “When you get home each day, have a 30-second kiss. It’s so much more intimate than a peck on the cheek and really puts you in touch with each other.” n

Resources

Barbara Musser www.sexyaftercancer.com |

@sexyaftercancer

Writer, stylist and communications consultant Christina Relf lives near Winchester in the south of England and is a frequent contributor to Amoena Life.

Amoena Life received these two thought-provoking personal reflections about intimacy, one from the married perspective, and the other from a single woman.

To honor their privacy, we’ve omitted the authors’ names.

For Worse and For Better Getting back on course in my marriage When my husband, Chuck, and I met in 1988, I was all boobs and big hair. The chemistry between us was off the charts. On our very first date I couldn’t pull my neon floral Betsy Johnson mini-dress off fast enough. We quickly got engaged and married. And so began our big beautiful life with houses, babies, careers, vacations, and amazing sex.

All that came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. We were in our forties and in the prime of our lives. Nothing could have prepared us for the extreme levels of anxiety and confusion we endured: breast cancer changed us as a couple.

We walked the journey through treatment with grace and gratitude. I continued to wear sky-high heels and a Cheshire cat smile, despite my embarrassment of my flattened, scarred chest.

I locked the door when I showered. Chuck followed my lead and respectfully averted his gaze when I had to undress for what felt like daily examinations by doctors. But he took care of me, he rubbed my back and brought me soup and held my hand. When all was quiet at night I would cry quietly next to him and wonder where that sexy couple had gone.

Weeks of no sex turned into months, which eventually turned into a year. This, for a couple that could ignite a fire with a simple kiss. The subject of sex had become awkward with a capital A. So I finally confronted it head-on. In a pivotal, emotional moment one morning, I woke Chuck from a deep sleep, took off my pink t-shirt, and sobbed. From there, a warm and eventually sensual conversation began, as did our journey to becoming a newer, wiser, sexier pair.

Some days I think I should have let him in sooner. I should have made him look at my scars. I should not have allowed him to be the one to shave my head. I should have touched him in the darkness. I should not have been so caught up in fighting cancer. But that very cancer has taught me to never look back.

It’s been four years and my hair is long. My chest?

Still under construction. But my relationship is better than ever. We are intimate in every way. With fabulous date nights and infinite amounts of love and laughter we are a super-sexy survivor couple.

That Betsy Johnson dress still hangs in my closet as a reminder to never let a little thing like cancer stop you from a from fantastic roll in the hay. And, it still fits!

Owning It, On My Own Empowered as a single woman Our story had all the makings of a Hollywood movie, meeting as strangers at the airport, bound on the same trip that began a wonderful year and an endless series of adventures together, so much so we often joked about selling the film rights.

The relationship went from strength to strength, until that is, the test results came back and I suddenly felt diseased and unattractive. Something ugly was growing inside me and I didn’t want him to touch me or look at my body.

After the operation, I openly showed him my body, swollen, battered and bruised—the lump was gone and so I felt there was nothing left for me to hide. It was then I needed his touch more than ever, to make me feel feminine and desirable again, but as the scars began to heal the rest of me started to fall apart.

One by one, the bad days outweighed the good—but more than that, I didn’t like the person I was becoming.

There was nothing familiar, fun or even attractive about her and she was starting to have an effect on our relationship.

I was certain that no matter what he would stick by me, but it seemed increasingly unfair of me to let this man, whom I loved deeply, be tied to a woman with barely a hint of the girl he fell in love with remaining. So I let him go—free to find someone else, someone who could make him happy.

The road since for both of us has been a rocky one but we’ve been there for each other, not as partners but as the dearest of friends.

I’m happy to say that I’m now back to being “me,” just with more purpose and drive than ever before. I like to think that our film has become a sequel and the “happily ever after” is still within reach for both of us. Whether that’s ultimately together or separately, one thing is for sure, the body I have and the scars that it bears are only a reminder of a battle that I fought and won. They will not define me. They are not the sum of me. They are simply a part of me and the story of my life. n

amoena.us 13

[ ask the experts ]

Ask the

[ mind & body ]

EXPERTS

Helping you is our pleasure! If you have a question for our experts, visit www.amoena.us/amoenalife to submit it for the next issue. We can’t guarantee an answer to every question, but we will get in touch if we use yours in the magazine.

Amoena Life experts answer real intimacy questions for you Isabel van der Ven, a UK-based life coach, is also a breast cancer survivor. Her coaching business for women who have had breast cancer, Live Your Life After Cancer, can be found at www.lylac.net. Here, she offers answers to your intimacy questions.

Q: “It has been 7 months since my treatments have ended; I should be over it by now, shouldn’t I? I still have no interest in sex. Is this normal?”

A: Most people expect or hope that once treatment is completed, it’s all over-and-done! The truth is you will need time to adjust to this new situation. All you’ve been through can make intimacy a lot more challenging.

Give it time and take small steps.

You’ve dealt with a life-threatening illness and you need time to recover from the experience, both physically and emotionally. No matter how small the steps seem, they will improve your confidence and soon start to snowball. Learning to be comfortable naked, massaging your body, dancing—these can all help you toward a new sense of ease with your body.

Be kind to yourself. It sounds so obvious, but we notice many women are harsh in the way they speak to themselves; ‘I should be over it now,’ ‘I should feel better now,’ ‘I should be the same mom/

partner/employee/daughter/friend as before,’ etc. These ‘shoulds’ are unhelpful and problematic. The more compassion you give yourself, the easier your new life will feel. Imagine what you would say to a close friend in your situation. Talking to friends, family or a counselor, or writing a diary or letter or poem may help you process what’s happened.

Q: “I’m worried my partner doesn’t find me attractive anymore—we haven’t made love for a long time.”

A: It can’t be said too much: Communicate with your partner.

This will eliminate misconceptions on both sides. He might think he’s being caring and considerate, but you assume he doesn’t find you attractive anymore. Communication creates a space to share the worries you both have and to find solutions together— because, of course, your partner has been affected by your cancer, too.

You can also communicate in more subtle ways that you’re ready to try at intimacy again. For example,

lovely lingerie and clothes that you feel comfortable in can really affect how you feel. Exercise will increase your physical energy and boost your confidence. Although these things don’t seem directly related to your sex life, the body confidence will spread into all areas.

Q: “My partner and I have talked things through, and we’ve tried being intimate, but it just doesn’t go the way it used to. What else can we do?”

A: Look for support groups. Being with others who have similar issues after cancer can bring a sense of relief and comfort. See your doctor. Something simple like being prescribed a good vaginal lubricant can make a great difference. If you continue to struggle and need more specific help, ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a sex therapist who will help you explore both the emotional and physical factors that may be affecting you and your intimate relationship. n

Clare Gibson is an Amoena fit specialist at our Showroom in Hampshire (U.K.), and with 11 years of breast form and bra fitting experience, is more than qualified to help you with your questions about lingerie and symmetry. For more Q&A, this time with Clare, please visit www.amoena.us/amoenalife and click on Ask the Experts.

14 Spring 2016

Color Your HeART Nouveau meditation is an old childhood favorite Have you tried it yet?

Coloring, we mean. As an adult.

It’s the same as what you did as a child: The rainbow of implements still smells delightfully of school-room wood, wax, and ink, and the motions feel familiar— back and forth, up and down, sweeping long lines, swirling around—although it’s probably a lot easier now to stay inside the lines.

And yet, coloring for adults has a different feeling, too. It’s more purposeful.

Adult minds carry more baggage, deflect more stressors, and flit among the zillion daily tasks we require of ourselves. Adults somehow forget how to play— how to relax. So the goal with adult coloring is to lose yourself in it. To let all the other difficulties fade away for a moment, while you focus on one thing—the picture that’s in front of you.

“An activity like coloring can have multiple psychological benefits,” explains licensed psychologist Pamela Ginsberg. “We know that engaging in art has been shown to decrease distress overall….[and] play activates the reward circuits of the brain, releasing dopamine (a feel-good neurotransmitter). That increases the brain’s neural plasticity. The mindfulness meditation community has embraced adult coloring because some of its effects are similar to meditation.”

Big, beautiful artbooks are available at bookstores and online, and free downloads are all over the Internet. Don’t let the choices overwhelm; just pick one that speaks to you, and go. There’s no right or wrong. No pattern you must obey.

Create. Breathe. Let go. Enjoy. n

Amoena Life wants to get you coloring!

Artist Sam Parker has created this original mandala just for Amoena Life readers! Download it at www.amoena.us/ amoenalife, and find more on Instagram, @samparkerartist.

Why and Wherefore Ginsberg says she has recommended coloring to patients who are stressed or upset, but find meditation to be daunting. “I believe that the activity of coloring is very soothing and can be a way to quiet oneself down,” she says. “Engaging in coloring may also open the door for a patient to [try] other mindfulness meditation practices, especially once they feel the benefits of the coloring activity.”

Big-Time Books • French publisher Hachette Pratique’s “Art-thérapie: 100 coloriages anti-stress” (2012) has sold more than three and a half million copies worldwide.

• Johanna Basford’s 2013 “Secret Garden” has sold two million copies worldwide and remains a top seller on www.amazon.com

For a limited time, we’ll provide you and your support group our Art Meditation Kit, including print-outs and colored pencils. You can take it to your next get-together and de-stress! Email your information, including the name of your support group, to info@amoena.com.

While supplies last.

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[ fashion ]

Island Flair Lagos One-Piece 8 to 22 Aloha, Gorgeous Hawaii Wire-free Tankini Top 6 to 16

Pattern Fusion Los Angeles One-Piece 8 to 16

Hawaii Panty 6 to 16

t re a s u re yourself

Tropical Beauty Grenada Wire-free Top 6 to 16 Grenada Panty 6 to 18

D

: N O I T A E ST I N

e s i d Para

there’s more to see!

Visit www.amoena.us/ amoenalife to explore the complete 2016 Swimwear Collection.

live life on PURPOSE

2016 s ’ a n e o Am ction e l l o C r a Swimwe ed! v i r r a s a h

Sun and Stripes Faro One-Piece 8 to 20

16 Spring 2016

amoena.us 17

[ real life ]

[ mind & body ]

Feeling Feminine Learning to trust her new body is Elian’s key to embracing every good day

Your Health is a Core Issue

Strengthen the whole body, starting at the center What we call our “core” is a complex series of muscles, extending far beyond the abdominals and including just about every body part other than our arms and legs.

What Is Your Core and What Does it Do? When you think of your core, imagine it like a box. The bottom of the “box” is your pelvic floor. The top is your diaphragm. In the front you have the transverse abs, and the internal and external oblique muscles, working in conjunction with the rectus abdominis. In the back it’s the erector spinæ muscles coupled with the multifidus.

Every one of these muscle groups needs to be properly exercised to effectively strengthen your core, and doing so will stabilize your spine so that it can easily support the body and move fluidly in any direction.

How to Improve Your Core Strength “Femininity is not only in your breasts, but also in your heart, soul, and what you radiate,” says Elian Daris, 48, who lives in The Netherlands. And Elian should know, having been through the wringer and come out as strong as she is beautiful. “I feel more feminine now than ever before.”

A friend of the family died of cancer and that, combined with being a DES baby (she was exposed in utero to a synthetic estrogen called diethylstilbestrol, used from 1938 to the early ‘70s and later found to be a breast cancer risk factor), led Elian to go in for a mammogram. Just as a precaution, she insists; she had no reason to believe there was anything wrong.

It turned out, though, that Elian was smart to see her doctor. She had two malignant tumors in her right breast and a number of micro-calcifications in her left breast. “My world turned upside down,” she recalls.

After being thoroughly checked and thinking through all her options, Elian had a mastectomy on her right side and a lumpectomy on her left. In addition, the doctors also removed all of the lymph nodes under her right arm; fortunately, she has only a moderate form of lymphedema.

Elian’s initial response to the diagnosis was incredulity.

“You can’t believe it’s happening to you,” she says. But she never asked, ‘why me?’ If anything, Elian accepted the situation with equilibrium. “It happens to so many women, why not me!”

After the surgeries, Elian had five rounds of chemotherapy, followed by hormone treatment. She’s still receiving the hormones nine years later, with no ill effects.

Two years after the lumpectomy, Elian had the remaining half of her left breast removed so that she could feel symmetrical again. During this period, Elian’s mother died. “It was a very emotional time.”

Elian chose not to reconstruct her breasts. “I don’t want things in my body that don’t belong there, but I’m glad that 18 Spring 2016

women have the choice.” she says. In addition, she has found that the Amoena breast forms “work perfectly for me,” she explains.

That’s not to suggest that the diagnosis and treatment was smooth sailing for Elian. She started out afraid, worried about the diagnosis, concerned about what it might mean for her future. But then she realized that she didn’t have time to sit back and worry. “You have to fight the ultimate battle,” she says. So she reached deep within herself and found the power to fight, quite literally, for her life.

“The chemo left its marks and I was very tired for several years,” she says. She had to feel comfortable in her body, with all its new fatigue and little pains. “You have to learn to trust your new body,” she says. It takes a lot of time to adjust to all the emotional and physical changes, Elian adds, but, at the same she avers that time is the only way she has processed everything that has happened to her. “Emotionally I feel very strong and physically, I accept my limitations.”

While Elian’s femininity emerged intact from her breast cancer experience, her marriage did not.

“I have dated a few times,” says Elian, but she finds it difficult to share her story. She’s still figuring out how and when to tell a partner about her medical history. But she knows she will sort it all out. “There is someone out there who wants to grow old with me and accept me for the person I am,” she says.

These days, Elian is feeling healthy and running her own business selling waterproof carryalls designed to withstand heavy Dutch rains. Working with Amoena has also been wonderful. “It brings me so much joy and self-confidence,” she says. “I feel privileged to (possibly) be an example for women.” She enjoys living as a role model—proving that there’s life after cancer—and that you can feel feminine without breasts. “I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, count my blessings, and think ‘this is a good day.’” n

Effective core exercises require a combination of multiple muscles engaging together to maintain appropriate support and keep you safe from injuries. You might be surprised at just which injuries: Core strength and balance can help you avoid back injury, of course, but even twisted ankles and sore wrists (particularly in yoga).

According to National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer Erin Cox, “Your core is where most of your strength and balance originates, which affects how efficiently you move and balance through daily life. Everything you use to move connects to your core…. so strengthening the core will also assist in strengthening the rest of your body.”

In her work as an instructor at York’s Core & Fitness in Ventura, CA, Erin coaches individuals of varying abilities and ages, making sure they reach their fitness goals in a healthy way. “There is no need to do a million crunches to strengthen your core. In fact, a lot of people think core training is simply that, lots and lots of sit–ups,” says Cox. “This is not the case. Planks, sideplanks, many yoga poses, and any sort of strength training that introduces instability will engage the core,” she explains, “because it forces the body to balance, and that is what our core is meant to do. An example is lifting light dumbbells while standing on one foot.

Doing sit-ups or planks using an exercise ball adds much more to the exercise because of the unstable surface.”

It’s Never Too Late to Improve YOUR Core Support

Pilates and GYROTONIC® instructor Melinda (Mindy) Horwitz feels posture is a great starting place. “As we age, maintaining our sense of balance often becomes a challenge. The most effective way of maintaining our balance is by activating our core muscles. Strong core muscles not only help our posture but also fight gravity, so no schlumping!”

At her Simpatico Pilates studio in Montecito, CA, Mindy says, “We address core strength, especially during rehabilitation, by teaching our clients how to breathe both diaphragmatically and through the back—expanding the ribcage sideways while keeping the belly flat. This automatically engages the core muscles. After they get the hang of breathing we can then move to other simple core exercises, our goal being to bring them back to vibrant health.” n

Looking for great workout wear options?

Our Spring 2016 Active wear is perfectly balanced. Click www.amoena.us/ amoenalife to see it!

Powerful Core Punch-List We use our core muscles in nearly every type of sport and fitness activity, as well as for posture, so it’s important that they’re strong. Some great training methods: •M artial arts (karate, jiu jitsu, tae kwon do) • Barre workouts • Kettlebell and medicine ball workouts • Yoga/Pilates/Gyrotonics • Tai Chi/Qi Gong • Stability ball training

amoena.us 19

[ report ]

Heat of the Moment Explore your options for cooling those hot flashes

ALT-medicine?

Although much has been written about black cohosh, an herbal supplement made from the roots of a North American plant, it is not clear if the benefits of alleviating menopausal symptoms outweigh the risks. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City, patients should use caution, as liver failure has been reported from its use.

Perhaps more important for breast cancer survivors, MSKCC warns: If you currently have, or have been treated for, an estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cancer, it is still unclear whether black cohosh acts in the same manner as estrogen, and might therefore stimulate growth of these tumors.

Some evidence indicates that another supplement, red clover, may help reduce menopausal symptoms; however, it contains compounds known as isoflavones (also found in soy). In laboratory experiments, red clover extract stimulates

Hot flashes and night sweats are an oft-discussed side effect of cancer treatment, and although they’re not always the worst one, they can be troublesome while they’re happening. If being too hot (or too cold) disrupts sleep, the effects can compound and lead to other problems, like insomnia and depression. In your hormonally-imbalanced state, is there anything you can do, besides kick off the bedcovers and crank up the fan?

Identifying the triggers Unfortunately, there are nearly as many triggers for hot flashes as there are women experiencing the problem. Here are a few: • Consuming alcohol • Drinking products with caffeine • Eating spicy foods • Being overweight • Being stressed • Lack of physical activity • Smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke Eliminating these may not tame the symptoms, but it’s a good place to start. In recent years, antidepressants have been used to help many men and women who have hot flashes from cancer treatment. However, if you take tamoxifen to treat your cancer, you need to avoid certain antidepressants. Talk to your doctor about what medicines for are right for you.

20 Spring 2016

Mind over matter? Acupuncture and meditation More than one scientific study during the past decade has pointed to the Eastern art of acupuncture as a potential form of relief for breast cancer patients. In 2007, the Journal of Clinical Oncology published results of a randomized, controlled trial where 72 women with breast cancer, experiencing three or more hot flashes a day, were given either real acupuncture or a “sham” version. The results showed that the women who received true acupuncture felt .8 fewer hot flashes per day after treatment.

While these results aren’t statistically significant, the fact is that many cancer patients and menopausal women are seeking out acupuncture, trusting the wisdom of the ancients.

A few common sense changes you can make right now l

S tay hydrated. Your body’s cooling system operates within a narrow margin of error during menopause, and a vital component of managing that system is providing enough water to keep it cool. Keep a glass or bottle of water with you all day long, and refill it often.

l

Whether your menopause occurs naturally as part of the life cycle, or has been thrown at you unfairly ahead of schedule, one thing is certain: hot flashes are no day at the beach (although you may feel very much like you’ve been drenched by a wave).

So, while we would love to find something natural that effectively manages hot flashes and night sweats, nothing in a bottle has been proven both safe and effective, to date.

l

Moisture-wicking products like sheets and pajamas can be your saving grace at night. Amoena’s Home wear is one example; our pajamas and nightdresses feature a built-in pocketed shelf bra with breathable COOLMAX® ACTIVE® fabric pockets, to hold a leisure form in place and wick moisture away if you start to sweat in the chest area. ear breast forms with the best fit and feel, and with Comfort+ technology.

W Amoena breast forms with Comfort+ actually absorb the body’s heat, store it until your body cools down again, and then release it back to you—so in effect, you feel no change at all. Your temperature has been equalized! Our newest form, the Natura Xtra Light 2SN, offers extraordinary wearing comfort, especially for women who want their form to feel “lighter than light!”

the proliferation of ER+ breast cancer cells, indicating that this herb may also not be safe for women with estrogen-sensitive cancers.

Dong quai is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menstrual and menopausal symptoms and to ‘tonify’ blood. A few studies have tested effectiveness of dong quai for menopausal symptoms but results are inconclusive. And once again, Dong quai has estrogen-like effects and was shown to increase growth of breast cancer cells in other laboratory experiments.

Evening primrose oil may be the least questionable of the popular “natural” remedies, but its impact on hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms is weak, at best. Scientists have not determined exactly how it exerts its effects, but theorize that it has anti-inflammatory properties. It may be beneficial for patients with mastalgia (breast pain), as well as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, premenstrual syndrome, eczema, or high cholesterol but there is not enough data to support such effects.

But there may be something even easier, and more readily available, that can help. A 2011 study originally reported by U.S. News & World Report, said that an easy-tolearn meditation technique could help ease the hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia of menopause. The University of Massachusetts research showed that mindfulness training based on a Buddhist meditation concept reduced the distress associated with hot flashes.

Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S., Administrative Director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, advises: “Menopausal symptoms for some women can truly impact their quality of life. Women with a breast cancer history, however, cannot take hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) as others can for relief. Some get relief using such methods as a chill pillow for night sweats. Acupuncture has helped some women, and wearing cotton in layers is key.” Shockney, a breast cancer survivor herself, advises women to avoid spicy foods and hot beverages, and to “keep a diary of when your symptoms hit so you can identify patterns and therefore create solutions.” n

This article was adapted from “Finding Ways to Cope When You’re Hot, Hot, Hot,” available at www.TheBreastCareSite.com, Amoena’s educational website.

amoena.us 21

[ fashion ]

Comfort:

Every Treasured Friendship We’re most at home with the ones who know our secrets. For girls’ night conversations or a team-building jog on a crisp morning—in Amoena’s comfortable Active, Leisure and Home wear (no bra required!)—you can be there for each other time after time.

22 Spring 2016

Amoena Active: 2-in-1 T-Shirt in Melon, sizes S, M, L, XL

Amoena Leisure: Wrap Top in Navy, sizes S, M, L, XL

Amoena Home: Lace Top in Raspberry, sizes S, M, L, XL

amoena.us 23

[ beauty ]

[ nutrition ]

A Story of

Lipstick and Rouge …and our changing attitudes about beauty It’s clear that the collective female attitude about cosmetics and “beauty routines” is evolving. While a celebrity’s makeup-free photo shoot still makes headlines these days, real women have been more comfortable in their own skins for a long time, some choosing only the most natural beauty products available, and others foregoing the practice altogether.

Who needs makeup, anyway? Consider a few things we’ve learned about your makeup motivation. ✔C onfidence In our last issue, we asked Amoena Life readers, “Why do you wear makeup?”

The answers indicated a 21st-century “empowered” mindset: You wear it to “feel more attractive and boost your confidence.” Not one participant checked the box next to “I wear it for my partner.” Women definitely don’t need the opinion of anyone else these days, to tell them they’re beautiful. Whether we wear makeup or not, consider our confidence boosted! (For more results from our Reader Survey, turn to page 30). ✔H ealth As scientists continue trying to pinpoint exactly what causes confounding diseases like cancer, consumers are taking a more cautionary approach to the products we put in and on our bodies. If you Google “safe cosmetics,” you get over eight million results. More and more women are looking for clean, health-enhancing beauty products—not the “paints and potions” of our grandmothers’ days. ✔A ccountability Moreover, we expect that those who regulate and distribute beauty products to women will do so responsibly. Companies like www.beautycounter.com “are pushing our industry for better ingredients and more transparency… and lobbying for the reform of state and federal bills that keep toxic chemicals on the market.”

The shift toward natural cosmetics is encouraging. Led by European cosmetics companies and finally making its way to North America and other nations, women everywhere have high standards for our own well-being, and care less, in this modern age, about impressing others with rouge and lipstick. We want to feel confident (but we’re not here to conform to someone else’s ideal), and we take our health seriously. Now, that’s beautiful. n 24 Spring 2016

Get Clean

Explore better cosmetics made by these and other manufacturers, and study up at www. safecosmetics.org: • Beauty Counter www.beautycounter.com • Dirty Beauty Skincare www.dirtybeauty.com • Ecco Bella www.eccobella.com • Garden of Eve www.gardenofeveskincare.com • Alima Pure www.alimapure.com “As a woman who has dealt with breast cancer three times (breast cancer, I might add, that was triple-negative and BRCAnegative as well), I began seriously looking at my environment. I was appalled when I discovered how many chemicals our cosmetics and personal care products contain— many of which are known to be carcinogenic or hormone disrupters. Since our skin is our largest organ, I feel that using products I know are safe is just one more smart step in staying healthy.”

–Dianne Armitage 20-year breast cancer survivor and BeautyCounter.com Consultant

Delicious for Your Life

Try a simple roasted radish & farro salad this spring Farro is an ancient type of soft wheat that is often used in soups and salads in Italy. It’s even used instead of rice to make a type of risotto called farrotto. Farro’s delicious nutty taste makes a wonderful base to bulk up cooked vegetable salads; this one is particularly palatable during chemo.

2 cups farro, rinsed 1 bunch radishes, with green tops, rinsed well 2 tablespoons olive oil, separated Salt and pepper, to taste 1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice Combine the farro with 6 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes or until the grain is plump and chewy. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the greens off the radishes, chop and set aside. Quarter the radish roots and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until browned and tender.

In a skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and clove of garlic. Once the garlic begins to turn golden, add the radish greens and cook, stirring until wilted, about 3 minutes. Discard the garlic and pour greens into the cooked farro.

Once the radishes have roasted, toss them with the farro and radish greens. Stir in the lemon juice, and more salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe courtesy of CookForYourLife.org. Reprinted with permission.

Photography ©Joe Gaffney

Cook For Your Life is a website, nutrition-based cooking course and now a cookbook created by Ann Ogden, a 2-time cancer survivor who found that her cooking skills grounded her and helped her navigate the effects of treatment and recovery. The website offers hundreds of recipes, carefully categorized so you can find exactly what you need (“Easy to Swallow,” “Low Calorie,” “Bland Diet,” and “Gluten-Free” are just a few examples).

The 336-page book, filled with tempting photos and easy instructions, was published in September 2015, and is available at www.amazon.com and other major booksellers. Visit www.cookforyourlife.org for more information.

amoena.us 25

[ portrait ]

Introducing

Courage, Community, and Global Compassion

Natura Xtra Light with Comfort+ The newest addition to the Amoena Natura portfolio.

Amoena is a registered trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH “For you, like no other.” is a trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH pending registration. ©2015-2016 All rights reserved Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH, 83064 Raubling, Germany

A moving example of how, together, we can impact the world

Rosily, left, and Paula, right

FIT

FORM

FEEL

Designed in a new anatomical shape

Two-layer design helps the form stay upright in a bra pocket

Weighs nearly 40% less* and includes patented Comfort+ temperatureequalizing technology

Natura Xtra Light 2SN Learn more at www.amoena.us/xtra-light

We’re just about certain that the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC), a service of YWCA Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the most active and helpful support centers in the country. Led by its director, survivor Paula Flory, the center provides more than a few services for women, including: • Support group meetings • Wig and prosthesis Boutique • Pilates, Yoga, Zumba and other fitness classes • Outreach education in nearby communities • Annual “In the Pink” Fashion Show & Benefit • “Eat Better, Live Better” programs • Survivorship retreats ….and this is the short list! So it’s no surprise that, when presented with the opportunity to take their compassion and energy outside their comfort zone, and into the world—India, to be exact—Paula and her colleagues jumped at the chance.

“My mission to empower breast cancer survivors across the world in India began nearly one year ago when I learned about my ‘Pink Sister’ Rosily, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she recalls. “Despite it being an early stage diagnosis, she felt hopeless and afraid. Without hearing her doctors tell her that she would in fact, with the right treatment, survive and thrive, she became depressed and stopped participating in life in her usual vibrant way. She also felt ashamed of her bald head and her unfeminine form.”

Connections were established, and BCRC made the journey to hospitals, medical centers and churches around Kerala, India in October, 2015, along with a cargo load of 250 breast forms which Amoena was honored to donate. “It was enormously powerful to learn that, although many of these women lead very different lives than we do in the U.S., their needs and feelings regarding breast cancer and how it feels to lose one’s breasts are exactly the same,” Paula shares. n amoena.us 27

*Compared to regular silicone forms of the same shape and size.

[ survivor portrait ]

[ feelin’ kinda funny ]

Rituals of Remembrance for Survivorship

by Teresa Schreiber Werth

Acknowledge Your Milestones with a Meaningful Ritual If you don’t have a ritual of your own, but think it might be nice to start one, begin by deciding what event you want to honor. Choose the mementos or activities most meaningful to you.

Think about whether you want to celebrate alone, with another person or a group of people, and plan where and when the ritual will take place.

You could try: • Re-reading greeting cards or a journal • Creative writing or journaling • on the day • An annual exercise routine, remembrance walk or spa day • A special meal or party with family and/or friends • Listening to inspirational music Teresa Schreiber Werth is a retired communications professional and six-year survivor of stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. Her 2011 book, Pink-On-Pink, Writing my Way Through Breast Cancer, is available at www.amazon.com.

28 Spring 2016

Each year on May 8, I meet two friends for a brisk morning walk and a picnic breakfast in the park. We call it our “victory lap.” It’s our ritual on the anniversary of the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. My life was saved by that diagnosis and so we gather each spring to remember and celebrate my survival. I look forward to this walk and time with these friends who were with me every step of my journey. Even though it reminds me of the challenging months and years that followed, it always gives me an emotional and spiritual boost to celebrate the progress I have made.

Breast cancer survivors create many different kinds of rituals to observe the ending of life-as-theyknew-it before cancer and the beginning of survivorship. They can be connected to any aspect of a survivor’s journey: the date of diagnosis, the completion of treatment, the three- or five-year anniversary. They can be private remembrances or they can be shared with others. Whatever form they take, people perform them in order to witness, acknowledge and support a significant milestone related to cancer or any other life experience.

Journal-ist of the heart Nancy wrote in her journal from the day of her diagnosis through radiation, chemotherapy, surgery and every day until her doctor proclaimed her “cancer free.” She remembers how euphoric she felt that day. As she skimmed through the pages recently, recalling the highs and lows, she decided to read her journal annually. “It will remind me each year of just how lucky I was to be diagnosed when I was…and feel increasingly grateful for every day and all the experiences I am blessed to enjoy,” she says.

A sweet splurge When Mary Margaret arrived home from work one day, she saw her family gathered around the kitchen table where a beautiful chocolate cake with a big pink ribbon was waiting. It took her a moment to realize this was the fiveyear anniversary of her diagnosis, a day that changed her life forever. Her family chose this special way to remember and celebrate her life.

Inspired by words of comfort A large collection of poetry written by breast cancer survivors accumulated in Alysa’s living room. She eventually realized that she was drawn to the wisdom of other survivors as she was undergoing treatment. The ritual of reading poetry by survivors not only comforted her, it inspired her to begin composing her own poems and sharing them. Her writing became a sacred space of purposeful intention, and made her feel less alone.

Personal symbols and charms I have a little altar next to my dresser.

I never intended to create it; it evolved as my survivorship unfolded. Each object I have placed there has special significance: a little brass bear bell, reminding me that something as small as a prayer can ward off something as big and scary as a bear; a small rock painted with the image of a fox, my power animal and a good omen; my bravery bracelet, a gift from my young grandson, worn to every treatment; a quartz crystal given to me by a friend, and said to offer healing power, energy and protection; I notice and acknowledge these items daily. Their power is real and comforting. You can’t un-ring the bell, but sometimes re-ringing the bell fills it with new meaning! n

Hints and Allegations Talking about intimacy isn’t as easy as some clowns make it seem!

I was all set to write about intimacy and then I realized – wait, I can’t do this! It’s too… oh, how can I put it? …Intimate! First off, I like to write about things I know. And not just know, but have present-day, up-to-the-minute data to support any claims I make. Sad to say, a meaningful conversation about intimacy is not one of those topics.

I wish I was one of those women who has a trapeze hanging from the ceiling of her bedroom, handcuffs and feather boas galore, but actually, I’m much more likely to have a clown car.

It’s not that I don’t have my share of intimate moments, it’s just that I was never taught exactly where the boundaries lie, when it comes to talking about personal stuff.

I come from a long line of people who don’t even want to hint about the personal, erotic or sexual. Not only didn’t we have a discussion about the birds and the bees when I was growing up, I think if my parents had had their way, the birds and the bees would have been wearing clothes!

My folks were so modest that when, as a teenager, I happened to find a condom wrapper in the bathroom trash, I didn’t speak to my father for weeks because I thought he’d had a lady of the night to the house while Mom was at work.

Years later, I confessed this to my parents at some family gathering, and although we all laughed hysterically, I knew I’d broached a subject that was not at all comfortable for us.

My, how times have changed. I work with young women who share intimate information with anyone who will listen.

And while I applaud their moxie (and their right to feel

comfortable in their own bodies) – I sometimes wonder if all of this sharing is actually healthy. Is it sort of like violence? You know, the theory (which I fear is proving to be true) that if you see enough violence you become desensitized to it? Could the same be true when we reveal too much, too often?

As a woman with no breasts, I’ve had my share of struggles when it comes to intimacy. Although I’ve interviewed scores of women who have faced this same dilemma, when it is my own body, it feels significantly more profound. Prior to surgery, I imagined I would just view my body as I had when I was a young girl, before I’d sprouted a bosom. I thought I’d feel comfortable going without breasts and sporting tank tops.

I was mistaken.

While I do spend most of my time around the house in this garb, I’ve noticed that the minute I think about going out in public, I feel shy. Some of this is because I still feel the need to lose weight (yes, unfortunately, vanity always seems to remain an adolescent trapped in our head, reminding us in a whiny voice of our perceived faults). And some of it is because I have yet to learn how to embrace a fundamental part of intimacy— loving my own body.

A year and a half post-surgery, this is a hurdle I still need to get over. I’m working on it at my own pace, and I don’t beat myself up when I have a day where I feel somewhat diminished.

I’m hoping to get to a place where I can use the trapeze in my bedroom to soar right over any obstacle I might face.

Okay, let’s be honest here—send in the clowns! n

Dianne (Browne) Armitage was born in Indianapolis. The eldest of six children, her early aspiration was to write the great American novel. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, 2005, and again in 2013, she believes humor has helped her deal with her diagnoses and just might be therapeutic to others as well. In addition to her work with Amoena, Dianne has written for Dr. Susan Love’s website and is a frequent contributor to several other health-related sites.

amoena.us 29

We love being a part of who you are and what makes you beautiful. We invite you to join Club Amoena and receive:

[ reader survey ]

Let’s Get Away From It All

2. With whom do you typically travel? a. Spouse/kids/grandkids b. Spouse only c. Girlfriends d. Tour groups e. Other ___________________ 3. Do you wear your silicone breast form when you travel by air? a. Always b. Sometimes c. Never d. This doesn’t apply to me/I don’t wear a breast form 4. If you do not wear a breast form when traveling by air, what is your main reasoning? a. I am worried about security checkpoints b. I am worried about pressurization c. I am worried about lymphedema d. I just feel more comfortable without it e. Other ________________________

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5. When you travel, how do you use your mobile phone? (Check all that apply) a. Coupons b. Boarding pass/Tickets c. Restaurant/Hotel reviews d. GPS/maps e. Translation/Foreign Language Assistance f. Uber/Taxi services g. E-Book apps (Kindle, iBooks) h. Watching movies i. Other _____________________ 6. When you travel, do you pack/ wear Amoena clothing? (choose all that apply) a. Leisure—They really don’t wrinkle during travel! b. Active—My workout goes where I go! c. Home—I’m on holiday, therefore I relax! d. Swim—Most hotels have a pool!

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Beauty habits of Amoena Life readers – results from our Fall 2015 survey What do Amoena Life readers around the globe think about skincare, makeup, cosmetics and feeling beautiful? We’ll tell you:

24.5% Always

4.5% 100 percent stylish 13.5% 80 percent stylish/20 percent everyday 26.4% 50/50

20.5% Rarely 15.4% Never

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62.7% I wear it to feel more attractive or boost my confidence

30 Spring 2016

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• Rewards like coupons, special gifts, giveaways, including a birthday surprise!

8. How often do you buy bras/ swimwear/clothing online (in general—not just for travel)? a. Rarely/Never b. Less than twice a year c. Several times a year d. Once a month e. More than once a month

Your motivation—Why do you wear make-up?

1.5%

0% 25.5% 10.3%

• Inspirational stories, tips and fashion news through our e-newsletter

vacate, and relax! Your response enters you to win a FREE bra and panty set!

(One winner will be drawn randomly from all entries.) Your response must be received by April 30, 2016. Full contest rules available at www.amoena.us/ contests. You can do the survey online: Go to www.amoena.us/amoenalife.

Or complete this page and mail it to us. Send it to us at: Amoena Life Survey, 1701 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 410, Kennesaw, GA 30144. PLEASE PRINT.

33.9% 20 percent stylish/80 percent everyday

18.7% 100 percent everyday 2.9% did not respond or responded “does not apply to me”

Amoena is a registered trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH “For you, like no other.” is a trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH pending registration. ©2015. All rights reserved Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH, 83064 Raubling, Germany

1. Over the past ten years, what type of vacation have you taken most often? a. Beach trips b. Family trips (amusement parks, relatives’ homes) c. Mountain/ski trips d. Cities/Sight-seeing trips e. Cruises f. Other ___________________

• Amoena Life, an online magazine

We love your feedback: Tell us the best ways you travel, recreate,

We would love to hear from you!

Email: info@amoena.com

Twitter.com/amoenausa

Email info@amoena.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line. Or find us in social media:

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Youtube.com/amoenausa

Take $10 Off

Save $10 when you spend $75 or more on any Amoena seasonal collection purchase*! ®

*Discount given by your Amoena retailer.

Consumer: This is not a rebate program. Discount given at time of purchase by your Amoena retailer. Limit one coupon per person. You pay any sales tax. May not be reproduced, purchased, traded or sold. Any other use constitutes fraud. Offer void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Retailer: Only US retail distributors of Amoena products may redeem coupon for credit on your Amoena account statement for face value if terms are met. Redeem coupon by sending original coupon with account name, account phone, account number and style of product purchased to Amoena, Attn: Coupons, 1701 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Ste.410, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Redeemed coupons must be postmarked by July 30, 2016 to receive credit. Amoena reserves the right to deny and/or disregard any redeemed coupon if deemed to be false or fraudulent. Offer void where prohibited or restricted by law. Keep a photocopy of all materials submitted for your records.

Account Name _____________________________________________________ Account #_______________________________ Account Phone#______________________________ Product Style# Purchased________________________________________ Manufacturer’s Coupon | Offer expires June 30, 2016 To find an Amoena retailer near you, visit the store locator at amoena.us or call 1-800-741-0078.

Preview Fall 2016 Color and textures combine in next season’s collection.

To find Amoena near you, visit our store locator at www.amoena.us/stores or call 1-800-741-0078.

In Canada, visit amoena.ca.

amoena.us 49329742 - 1/16 Amoena is a registered trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH. “For you, like no other.” is a trademark of Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH pending registration. ©2016 All rights reserved Amoena USA Corporation, Kennesaw, GA 30144-4582 USA