A Boutique with a Difference

Lynn's Boutique

Located in the Comprehensive Cancer Institute (CCI) at Franciscan St. James Olympia Fields campus, Lynn’s Boutique specializes in items for women who have survived or are living with breast and other cancers. Among the boutique’s abundant and varied inventory are inspirational and gift items, plaques, angels, watches, t-shirts and other clothing, turbans, breast prostheses, and bras.

The boutique offers bra and prosthesis fittings by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Certified bra fitter Norene DeLaurentis helps her customers find the perfect fit. “I’ve been doing this for 28 years and Lynn’s Boutique is my favorite. It is absolutely a woman’s dream – feminine, welcoming and friendly with no ‘medical’ feel,” said Norene.

With plenty of sizes and styles of bras and prostheses, Lynn’s Boutique has something for everyone, including balance forms to fill the area left by lumpectomy procedures. After taking measurements, Norene tries different form shapes to arrive at the best look for each patient. She explains, “The main reason to wear a breast form is balance. Weight has been removed and should be replaced to help avoid things like backaches, arm problems or lymphedema if lymph nodes have been involved.” Norene also fits women who have had reconstructive surgery to help them find a bra that works to balance out the two sides.

Lynn’s Boutique bills insurance for breast cancer patients. Medicare allows for one prosthesis every two years and six to 12 bras a year. “I advise patients to start with a couple of styles and wear them for a while to find out how they are going to feel,” Norene said.

Women who have not had surgery, including St. James employees, also take advantage of Norene’s bra-fitting skills. A surprising 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Ill-fitting bras not only create visible disadvantages, they are uncomfortable. Adds Norene, “No matter what, we can always fit the ladies.”

Lynn’s Boutique was established in memory of Lynn Panici, who was lost to breast cancer at the age of 34. Staffed by volunteers, it is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday afternoons. With more volunteers, they are hoping to add Friday hours. Conveniently located inside the breast center, the boutique is just behind the mammogram waiting room. Franciscan St. James CCI is located in the 3900 building on the Olympia Fields campus at 20201 South Crawford.