No one truly understands what cancer patients go through, physically and emotionally, unless they have walked that path themselves. Which is the reason Patty Turkal is the ideal person to operate Brian Joseph’s, a retail store selling creams, lotions, shampoos, wigs and protheses to cancer patients.

“I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 1991, long after I started this business,” Turkal said. “When the doctor called to tell me, I felt like my heart dropped into my shoes. He said since I dealt with cancer patients every day, I should know what to do. But I was so confused. He stayed on the phone with me until someone came over. He didn’t want me to be alone. I’ve never forgotten that.”

Turkal, who named her store after her grandson, used herself as the test case developing a shampoo that could be tolerated by a chemotherapy ravaged scalp. Chemotherapy expands and contracts the skin because it removes all moisture. The skin feels pulled and tight, with painful itching and burning.

Other body areas are affected as well. Hands, feet, knees, cuticles and elbows become so painfully dry that some patients find it difficult to hold a pen. So Turkal, along with her chemist, developed a special moisturizer that sinks deep into the second layer of skin instead of evaporating into the air, like most moisturizers. 

“We also developed a very fine lipid moisturizer for radiation patients called MD,” said Turkal. “It goes deep to help with the burning and swelling. Women come in here and show me their chests, and they are so raw and painful. I put this on and they feel so much better.”

Turkal’s newest product is a gel applied to the lashes and brows to prevent them from falling out. 

“When women lose their hair and a breast, they feel like aliens if there is no definition of the eye,” said Turkal. “Products like these really make a difference in how a woman feels.”

Turkal also sells breast prosthetics and human and synthetic wigs. 

“Each stage of the custom wig is approved by the patient,” she said. “So many women deny they will lose their hair. But if the chemo is working, they will definitely lose their hair.”

When Turkal was shopping at department stores after her mastectomy, she felt humiliated.

“I knew women needed a better place to go,” she said. “So when they came in here while I was going through treatment, I would take my wig off and put my boobs on the counter and they would laugh and say, this has helped me so much. They felt like they weren’t alone. They knew I understood.” 

Turkal offers so much more than just products for cancer patients; she offers hope, strength, joy and perspective.

“I know what stage a woman is the minute she walks through my door,” said Turkal. “I say it looks like you need a hug today. Let’s sit down and talk. I want them to come out the other end of this feeling strong. They have to fight this with everything they’ve got. I’m here to help them.”

Contact Information:

Brian Joseph's

10560 Barkley St., Ste. 300

Overland Park, KS  66212

(800) 889-8960

www.brianjospehs.com