Lutz helps mastectomy patients get Necessities

Here's one saga full of heart that has escaped many people's attention: It's the tale of a Necessities Bag for patients facing mastectomy.

Each unique free bag contains two small comfort pillows for recovering patients to position between operation site and adjoining arm. The pillow relieves pressure on the chest, lessening a source of increased pain.

Some 2,000 of the 10x10-inch pillows were stitched together last year by sewing guilds in the Fairfield County towns of Westport, Fairfield, New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Stamford, Ridgefield and elsewhere.

Westport Necessities stitchers are found in the Westport Women's Club and the Westport Young Women's League.

Pillow covers are in vibrant paintbox colors -- patterns that ape modern and abstract art.

Maureen Hogan Lutz, inventor of the Necessities Bag, marked the fifth anniversary of her breast cancer surgery March 7. Experiences before and after her surgery led Lutz to invent the Necessities Bag, she reported to Westport Rotarians meeting at Longshore Inn Feb. 2.

"I thought I was prepared, but virtually nothing in the bag I took to the hospital with me before surgery took care of my unanticipated post-surgery needs," Lutz related. "I woke up and I couldn't move. My mouth was dry. If I could only get a drink of water, I thought. The nurses are caring but overworked. I was thirsty and on my own.

She said she was on her back for four days, her feet were swollen and she felt humiliated.

"I wondered why no one prepared me for this post surgery condition in the hospital. It was like being dropped in to a black hole," she said. "Mastectomy -- the breast cancer battle -- is not about losing your hair and all that. It is about losing a part of your body."

While fleshing out her concept of the Necessities Bag, Lutz said she first ran the idea past her breast reconstruction surgeon, Dr. David Passaretti. Then she previewed the concept with others in the Fairfield County breast cancer community.

The Necessities Bag is a reusable canvas tote that contains a "woman to woman" guide on preparing for mastectomy. In addition to the two comfort pillows, contents also include supplies for wound care, hygiene and personal comfort to aid recovery at home.

Each bag also contains many rolls of multi-flavored Life Savers.

"Word got around I need Life Savers to help those recuperating from mastectomies, and next thing, I would find bags of them on my back porch --from Girl Scouts," Lutz said.

The Necessities Bag is a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The bags are free to mastectomy patients.

"Funding comes from individuals, foundations and businesses," Lutz said. Necessities Inc. is the umbrella organization fielding the bag. The umbrella unit is a 501c(3) organization, which means donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Lutz reported that Necessities Bags currently are distributed in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. There are affiliate programs in 10 states.

She suggested checking the Necessities Web site atwww.necessitiesbag.org for more a complete listing.

Lutz frequently is asked: "Why Necessities?"

Her response: "Mastectomy patients have to rely on a variety of resources as they prepare for surgery. ... In the days leading up to surgery, anxiety is triggered by the simplest of tasks, like packing for the hospital. Homecoming can be overwhelming."

She said that while no two surgical cases are the same, the challenges of stuff like wound care, hygiene issues and personal comfort are similar.

"Bandages can be very costly and every woman, regardless of economic condition, has to deal with the trauma of losing a breast to cancer should have what she needs to get through the first few days of homecoming," she said.

When the bag is received before surgery, women have an opportunity to review the contents and then articulate questions that may never be asked.

Asked how she feels about reaching a five-year breast cancer survival mark, Lutz answered: "I believe working on the Necessities Bag project has speeded my recovery."