Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy
Encyclopedia
Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy (known as Lipstick in some countries) is a 2006 television film that aired on Lifetime Television
and starred Sarah Chalke
. It is based on the memoir of the same name, written by Geralyn Lucas
. The book and the TV movie, depict Geralyn Lucas's fight with breast cancer.
's Graduate School of Journalism
, Geralyn Lucas lands her dream job working for 20/20. Lucas is then diagnosed with breast cancer
at the age of 27 and has a dilemma - whether to have a lumpectomy
or the potentially safer mastectomy
. After consulting several doctors (including her husband) and researching the operations she decides to undergo a mastectomy. Her subsequent chemotherapy
treatment leads to tensions within her marriage but the couple stays together. She also has breast reconstruction
. The final shot is of Geralyn cradling her child, something she feared she would be unable to do. Geralyn meets several "angels" in the story, people who have been in similar positions to her and are able to dispense good advice.
The title refers to her belief that only confident women wear red lipstick.
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television, often referred to as Lifetime TV, or most commonly, Lifetime, is an American cable television specialty channel devoted to movies, sitcoms and dramas, all of which are either geared toward women or feature women in lead roles. The cable network is owned by A&E Television Networks...
and starred Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
. It is based on the memoir of the same name, written by Geralyn Lucas
Geralyn Lucas
-Career:Lucas attended Columbia University School of Journalism, where she graduated with honors. After graduation, she went to work at ABC and was an editorial producer at the ABC News newsmagazine 20/20 for seven years...
. The book and the TV movie, depict Geralyn Lucas's fight with breast cancer.
Plot
Shortly after graduating from Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is one of Columbia's graduate and professional schools. It offers three degree programs: Master of Science in journalism , Master of Arts in journalism and a Ph.D. in communications...
, Geralyn Lucas lands her dream job working for 20/20. Lucas is then diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
at the age of 27 and has a dilemma - whether to have a lumpectomy
Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy is a common surgical procedure designed to remove a discrete lump, usually a benign tumor or breast cancer, from an affected man or woman's breast...
or the potentially safer mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
. After consulting several doctors (including her husband) and researching the operations she decides to undergo a mastectomy. Her subsequent chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
treatment leads to tensions within her marriage but the couple stays together. She also has breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is the rebuilding of a breast, usually in women. It involves using autologous tissue or prosthetic material to construct a natural-looking breast. Often this includes the reformation of a natural-looking areola and nipple...
. The final shot is of Geralyn cradling her child, something she feared she would be unable to do. Geralyn meets several "angels" in the story, people who have been in similar positions to her and are able to dispense good advice.
The title refers to her belief that only confident women wear red lipstick.
Cast
- Sarah ChalkeSarah ChalkeSarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
as Geralyn Lucas - Jay HarringtonJay HarringtonJay H. Harrington III is an American actor. His most recent role was the title character in the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted.- Personal life :...
as Tyler Lucas - Lally CadeauLally CadeauLally Cadeau is a Canadian actress. An accomplished stage and television actress, she has been a mainstay with the Stratford Festival since 1998. She is best known for her role as Janet King in the CBC Television series Road to Avonlea...
as Geralyn's mother - Harvey Atkins as Geralyn's father
- Robin BruleRobin BrûléRobin Brûlé is a Canadian actress, who is best known for her role as Susan Hunter in the Roxy Hunter series.-Acting career:Robin first studied acting at the Canterbury School of the Arts in Ottawa, Ontario...
as Wendy - Mayko NguyenMayko NguyenMayko Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian actress. She is best known for her role as Mayko Tran on ReGenesis.- Biography :She grew up in Vancouver where she pursued her love for acting at Eric Hamber Secondary School...
as Donna - Julie Kahner as Meredith
- Patti LaBellePatti LaBellePatricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
as Moneisha - Conrad PlaConrad PlaConrad Pla is a Canadian actor and former professional kickboxer. He is probably best known for starring in the Canadian television series ReGenesis....
as Cuban Taxi Driver - Geoffrey Pounsett as Dr. Bob Bradley
- Jordan Baker as Adam
- Andrew Gillies as Victor
- Yanna MacIntosh as Dr. Crone
- Janet Lo as Mammogram Nurse
- Elizabeth Saunders as Dr. Meadows
- John BourgeoisJohn BourgeoisJohn Bourgeois is a bilingual actor, director and educator.-Life and career:John Bourgeois was born in Ottawa. He received his training at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and Concordia University in Montreal, where he obtained a B.A...
as Dr. Frank - Laurie ElliottLaurie ElliottLaurie Elliott is a Canadian stand-up comedian. She has appeared in The Red Green Show, and won a Canadian Comedy Award as Best Female Stand-up...
as Woman With New Breasts - Marcia Diamond as Mrs. Jackson
- Dwight McFee as Newsstand Guy
- Nicky GuadagniNicky GuadagniNicky Guadagni is a Canadian actress who has worked on stage, radio, film and television.-Career:Originally from Montreal, Nicky Guadagni majored in drama at Dawson College and went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her first role after graduation was playing Miranda, with...
as Photographer - Dax Ravina as Tattoo Artist
- Lisa MerchantLisa MerchantLisa Merchant is a Canadian comic improviser and actress.She played Brenda Murphy on Train 48.She has won three Canadian Comedy Awards for Best Female Improviser .-External links:...
as Chemo Nurse - Kim RobertsKim RobertsKim Roberts is an award-winning American poet, author, and editor residing in Washington, D.C..-Life:Roberts was born in Charlotte, North Carolina...
as Operating Room Nurse