Breast cancer patients and survivors can attest to the physical and emotional toughness it takes to endure necessary treatments and defeat this far-reaching disease.

However, getting through the treatments—surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, for instance—is not where the toughness stops.

Many women and men must cope with post-surgical misshapenness if the severity of their cancer diagnosis calls for a single or double mastectomy, or removal of all of the breast tissue, to eliminate the cancer cells.

“Several years ago, there (weren’t) that many options that made you feel feminine after that,” said Glenna Dawson, office manager at Godbee Medical Home Health Equipment and Supplies. “There are more options out there now. They’ve come out with so much more.”

As a licensed mastectomy fitter at Godbee, Dawson teamed up with Anne Taddicken of Chilton Medical Center to share garment options for breast cancer patients at a kickoff luncheon Tuesday for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We just do these functions to bring awareness to the community,” Taddicken said. “We’re here for the community, whatever their needs are.”

Along with CMC’s Pink Ladies auxiliary group, women gathered at the hospital to learn more about undergarments, outerwear, swimwear and head scarves made specifically for breast cancer patients in any phase of treatment or recovery.

Dawson, whose mother and sister-in-law have battled breast cancer, said she wants to help people find things to wear that will restore their confidence.

“My biggest thing is to help these ladies feel whole again,” Dawson said. “Breast cancer is not the end of the world. In my opinion, it allows us to last. We’re here for another day.”

Dawson and Taddicken will visit Senior Connection of Chilton County on Monday, Oct. 8 at a.m. for another Breast Cancer Awareness presentation.

For more information about specialty garments and accessories, call Godbee Medical at (205) 755-1771.