Heart Strings improves customer's quality of life

Women who have had mastectomies are often faced with limited options when it comes to clothing and other personal items. But Heart Strings has set out to change all that.

"Before coming to Heart Strings, our clients often end up in a scenario where she is given what is available, rather than being offered the large array of options on the marketplace," says Ulrike Entwistle, owner of the New Smyrna Beach shop. "We enable each of our clients to make an informed choice of what she ultimately has to wear on a daily basis."

Heart Strings opened its door on Dec. 1, 2006. Entwistle says her shop's focus is simple: improving quality of life for customers. "The mission of Heart Strings is to offer every woman the products, information and support necessary to enable her to make choices that will allow her to look and feel her best before and after surgery," she says. "And we assist our clients with ways to cope with a cancer diagnosis and its treatments. When I heard from the oncology nurses that our clients had commented that they were very well looked after at Heart Strings, I knew I had achieved what I call 'better service.'"

Heart Strings products include lingerie, swim wear, nightgowns, sleepwear and linens that wick away moisture from the body, promoting healthful sleep. The shop also offers hair alternatives, wigs, hats, turbans as well as skin products that sooth and nourish. Also offered are compression garments for Lymphedema.

Entwistle says mastectomy clients often arrive with prescription in hand from her physician and ideally has an appointment, which guarantees uninterrupted time for her with the fitter. Customers then experience a full fitting and are measured and fitted into several bras. Each customer is offered recommendations of what is the best solution for her unique circumstance.
"We assist the client in obtaining a prescription when needed and work with the local surgeons and physicians to make the whole experience for the client as easy and uncomplicated as possible," Entwistle says. "Medical billing is a complimentary service at Heart Strings."

 Something only you can feel          A book of poetry 
                                                                                       inspired and written during a time of illness.

                                                                                                                    

                               the treasure safe in my heart

                               of a magic journey across oceans

                               feel the trade winds in my hair

                               the sun hugs my mutilated body

                               the ship rocks my soul

 Time out                 no doctors, no tests, no treatments

                               vacation form fear in a magic land

                               of volcanoes rainbows and brilliant blue water.

                                © Ulrike Entwistle November 2005