Acupuncture
Many patients find relief from chemotherapy side effects
through acupuncture. Here are a few recommended practitioners. Talk to
your doctor before embarking on any treatment.
Carlos Durana. A seasoned acupuncturist
and clinical psychologist, Durana takes a multi-modality
approach to treating the entire patient. 11417 Tanbark Dr., Reston;
703-716-0906.
Sen Huang. A former faculty member and current acupuncture consultant for the Center for
Integrative Medicine at George Washington University Medical Center, Huang
is known for his relaxation techniques and expertise in working with
various illnesses. 730 24th St., NW, Suite 11; 202-298-5588.
Luke Acupuncture & Herbology
Center.
Acupuncturist Luke Tian has a PhD in cancer pharmacology and
has developed his own acupuncture protocol to relieve symptoms and boost
endorphin levels. 966 Hungerford Dr., Suite 10-A, Rockville;
301-309-8889.
Personal Chefs
These chefs, recommended by cancer patients, provide healthy
meals based on dietary restrictions and preferences.
Victoria Cortes. Cortes uses fresh,
local ingredients to prepare meals to any dietary specification.
Options include biweekly meal preparation so your freezer is always
stocked with healthy options. 703-201-7168;
victoriacortes.com.
The Healthy Gourmet. Owner and
chef Verlette Simon is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative
Nutrition and is a licensed nutrition and holistic-health counselor.
202-309-3508; verlette.com.
Nutritionists
Marietta Amatangelo. A leukemia survivor and
director of nutrition at George Washington Center for Integrative
Medicine, Amatangelo also sees patients in her Bethesda office. 908 New
Hampshire Ave., NW, Suite 200, 202-833-5055; 4401 East-West Hwy., Suite
307, Bethesda, 202-559-4260.
Therapeutic Nutrition. Medical
nutritiontherapist Victoria Wood has more than 25 years of experience
creating diet plans to optimize health. 7105 Sycamore Ave., Takoma Park;
301-270-4244.
Classes and Support
Georgetown lombardi comprehensive Cancer
center. Support groups for various types of cancer including
lung, breast, gynecological, and head and neck. Also art and play therapy
for children with cancer and assistance for parents of newly diagnosed
children. 3800 Reservoir Rd., NW. For a phone directory, see
lombardi.georgetown.edu, then click on Patient Care, then Patient &
Family Resources, then Online Resources, then Support Groups.
George Washington Cancer
Institute. Programs range from support groups for patients and family
members—such as the Kid’s Club for children whose parents or grandparents
have cancer—to pottery classes and even Healing With Basketball, a monthly
team workout. 2300 I St., NW; 202-944-2449.
Hope Connections for Cancer Support. Yoga,
knitting, and classes about navigating insurance and the financial
implications of cancer are just a few offerings from this center’s
expansive list of free services and support groups. 5430 Grosvenor La.,
Suite 100, Bethesda; 301-493-5002.
Life With Cancer. From seminars on fighting
fatigue to “laughter yoga” and tools for couples, this program—part of
Northern Virginia’s Inova Health System—provides free services, including
individual and group counseling. Inova hospital centers at Fairfax, Fair
Oaks, and Loudoun; 703-698-2526.
Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Ongoing
support groups for thyroid and breast-cancer patients and caregivers. 9901
Medical Center Dr., Rockville; 240-826-6297.
Sibley Memorial Hospital. Support-group topics
include coping skills for newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients and
nutrition for better health. Partnering programs connect breast-cancer
survivors with women just starting treatment. 5255 Loughboro Rd., NW;
202-243-2320.
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Founded
in 1996, this center provides creativity and art programs, nutrition and
cooking classes, yoga and movement classes, and weeklong retreats at
nearby Hallowood Retreat for people living with cancer. 1632 U St., NW;
202-483-8600.
Wigs
Bravadas. Designed for women faced with
cancer-related hair loss, this boutique offers a well-trained staff and an
extensive selection of wigs and extensions plus mastectomy apparel and bra
fittings. 11204 Lee Hwy., Fairfax; 703-352-4247.
Eivind and Hans of Georgetown Salon and Spa.
Owner Hans Kalset specializes in choosing and styling wigs and
custom hairpieces as well as showing clients how to work with scarves. A
suite in the back creates a private, low-key setting. 2233 Wisconsin Ave.,
NW; 202-965-2100.
Hollywood Fashion Wigs. A friendly staff and
an array of styles means you can try on many different options and find a
piece at a price that works for you. 716 King St., Alexandria;
703-548-8181.
Wig Boutique. Known for excellent customer
service and thorough consultations, the staff at this small shop is said
to be patient, kind, and discreet. They recommend that a woman come in
prior to hair loss to find a wig that’s the closest match to her natural
color and style. 8630-E Lee Hwy., Fairfax; 703-560-7077.
Bras and Swimsuits
Nordstrom. Its Prosthesis Program offers
certified fitters and private fitting rooms plus a large selection of
mastectomy bras, attachable breast forms, and enhancers/equalizers for
lumpectomies. Staff also handles insurance paperwork. Multiple Maryland
and Virginia locations.
SyLene. For 35 years, this sister-owned
boutique has provided fittings of mastectomy-friendly lingerie,
prosthetics, and swimsuits. 4407 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase;
301-654-4200.
Makeup and Skin care
Eivind and Hans of Georgetown Salon and Spa.
Licensed aesthetician and makeup artist Pamela Dennison is trained in
working with women undergoing chemotherapy. She addresses the various
changes to the skin and is skilled in the application of eyebrows. 2233
Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-965-2100.
Little Vinnie’s Tattoos. For 11 years, owner
Vinnie Myers has worked exclusively on recreating nipples and
areolas—usually 50 a month—for patients who have undergone breast
reconstruction. Because he’s able to create the illusion of a raised
nipple without additional surgery, his tattoos are considered an
alternative to nipple and areola surgical reconstruction. 2025 Suffolk
Rd., Suite 8, Finksburg, Md.; 410-876-4638.
Look Good . . . Feel Better. Two-hour,
hands-on group makeover workshops are held in local hospitals and led by
cosmetologists who provide skin-care, makeup, and hair advice. Check
lookgoodfeelbetter.org for a calendar.
Fertility Preservation
Radiation and chemotherapy regimens often carry the side effect
of permanent sterility. The following local centers offer options that
allow patients to have children after treatment is complete.
Dominion Fertility Life After Cancer Program.
This program provides qualified young women the option of
preserving their eggs—normally $10,000 to $12,000—free of charge prior to
undergoing fertility-threatening treatments. 46 S. Glebe Rd., Suite 301,
Arlington; 703-920-3890.
Genetics & IVF Institute. Its new
Fertility Preservation Center for Cancer Patients provides sperm banking
as well as embryo and egg freezing. 3015 Williams Dr., Fairfax; 11300
Rockville Pike, Suite 612, Rockville; 800-552-4363.
Miscellaneous Services
Cleaning for a Reason. Women over age 19 can
fill out an application online to receive free monthly home cleaning for
up to four consecutive months. cleaningforareason.org.
Road to Recovery. This American Cancer Society
Program provides transportation to and from treatment for patients unable
to drive themselves and without other means of attending appointments.
800-227-2345.w
