ADVERSITY DOESN’T CHANGE YOU, IT REVEALS WHO YOU ARE…

BySusan

In August of 2010, I had launched my wholesale artisanal soap company: Utopia Bath, Ltd, at the New York International Gift Show.

Two weeks later I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and the news kept spiraling out of control. The news was increasingly surreal. After all, I was a woman, with no history of ANY cancer in her family and in the best of health! Surgeries, Chemotherapy, Radiation…CANCER?!?, ME???? Yes, cancer. Me.

Fast forward to day 3 after my first Chemotherapy: Christmas Day, 2010. My skin was cranky, sensitive to water and had developed dry red patches all over my face and body. Within that first week I purchased so many different lotions from the drugstore there was no room left on the vanity top.

What could I do? My Dad’s a retired pharmacist. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather were chemists. It seemed natural to use my heritage and figure out how to formulate and then blend a cream that would soothe my treatment battered skin.

It worked. Other formulas followed as different needs arose. I opted out of Radiation, but had plenty of surgeries and a second cancer. And then more surgeries. My greatest blessing was no lymph node involvement with either cancer in either side.

Skin in treatment products are crafted with the finest ingredients, by heart and by hand.So I am here and gratefully so. The process took me roughly two and half years. I will tell any one I meet, that while I would not have volunteered for this experience, I would not trade it. I learned volumes about myself and have been changed, for the better.

My fervent wish and my driving force, is to let my experience be of service to those undergoing same or similar treatments.

This is how “Skin in Treatment”, was born: crafted with the finest ingredients, by heart and by hand.

As the line has developed, I am thankful to have had so many women willing to try my samples and give me feedback. Thank you to all who have helped me on this journey and inspired me to help others walking the same path.

Please go to my pharmacists daughter if you have any questions or concerns.
My Sincere Wishes for Courage, Strength and Peace as you undergo treatment.

Similar Posts

  • Kelly G’s Story

    BySusan

    Survivor

    Over a period of six years I lost my voice three times. The first time it happened when I got a really bad cold. I couldn’t speak above a whisper. After weeks and weeks of constant laryngitis I went to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. He told me I had nodules on my vocal cords. Speech therapy was recommended. Several hundred dollars later with no noticeable improvement I asked what else could be done? He told me they could be removed but they may come back. I said “I’ll take that chance. I just want to be able to talk again.”

  • Grateful Words

    BySusan

    When I met Susan Kapadia for the first time beginning 2013 shortly after being diagnosed with phase 4 breast cancer which had spread from breast to Lymph to lungs I felt I was taken by the hand by a caring mother.

    Disoriented and dazed and about to move to smaller living spaces she made me feel like I was no longer alone trying to orient myself in an alien world that was about to become mine.

    She gently explained some facts, choices, and potential attitudes. Her attitude of hope and personal contribution to herself in her own healing years ago and now to mine in the years to come made it a lot easier to start with this roller coaster ride.

  • Renee’s Story

    BySusan

    When first diagnosed, the shock had my head spinning. Talk about having your life plans hijacked. I was self-employed, under-insured, living alone, with all my family living on the East Coast. My friends in Ojai were shocked and overwhelmed as well, but lovingly showed up as “family” for me.

    I needed a place to hear myself, […]

  • Dr Me

    BySusan

    Dr. Me, a story written by Ann Kim, is part of The Day My Nipple Fell Off and Other Stories of Survival, Solidarity, and Sass: A BAYS Anthology

    What breast cancer takes away and what other young women who’ve been there can give you—that’s what the stories here are about: […]