WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television movie, based on the autobiographical book by Geralyn Lucas, is about a 27-year-old New York City-based woman trying to remain positive while battling breast cancer. The program begins with Geralyn discussing how she loves red lipstick, yet isn't quite daring enough to wear it out. She discusses how just a few years ago her life "list" was almost complete, as she was happily married to handsome doctor Tyler Lucas, was a story editor for "20/20," and pretty much had it all. Now, needing clarity and insight, Geralyn nervously heads to a strip club to examine the scene and try to figure out why breasts matter so much. There, she tries to decide whether she is ready to have a mastectomy. Flashing back, Geralyn and her co-workers try to come up with provocative story ideas. Geralyn pitches to boss Meredith a story about plastic surgery addiction. Meredith and her division boss, Victor, love Geralyn's idea and offer compliments. Later that day, meeting with friends Wendy and Donna, Geralyn tells them that she is ready to get pregnant. In the shower that night, Geralyn feels three lumps in her breast. Taylor insists that she has nothing wrong with her. Eventually, Geralyn goes to Dr. Crone, who likewise believes the lumps amount to nothing. Geralyn goes in for a precautionary mammogram, which leads to her having an ultrasound. Dr. Bradley, a friend of Tyler's, also thinks Geralyn is probably too young to have breast cancer when he checks her out. Trying to remain optimistic, Tyler and Bradley have to inform her that she does in fact have cancer. Geralyn wonders if she will have to have chemotherapy and whether she will die. Now, Geralyn worries that her lifestyle has caused the cancer, blaming everything on herself. Then, Geralyn's parents, Harvey and Barbara, her brother Adam, and Wendy and Donna arrive to console her. Later that day, Geralyn meets with Dr. Murray to get a second opinion. She tells Geralyn that she needs a double mastectomy. Geralyn gets a "second second opinion" from Dr. Keel, who tells her to get a lumpectomy though notes that it is truly her decision. Tyler suggests Geralyn see cancer therapist Dr. Stachter to speak about her mental state. Geralyn discusses her fear that Tyler may run away from her. Afterward, in a cab, the Cuban driver reveals that he had testicular cancer three years ago, assuring her that she will survive just as he did. By now, Tyler is a wreck, trying to find better options for Geralyn. He returns home to find Geralyn getting drunk on wine with Wendy and Donna. The next morning, Geralyn questions Tyler on what she should do and he discusses the differences between mastectomies and lumpectomies. Tyler encourages Geralyn to do her own research, and she goes to chat rooms as well as calling various breast cancer survivors. Geralyn tells Tyler that it is odd for a woman under thirty to have breast cancer and thus she thinks a mastectomy would be most appropriate for her. Now Geralyn feels confident as she goes about the town. She practices with Wendy and Donna how she will tell Meredith that she needs to take some personal time from work. When actually addressing Meredith, Geralyn breaks down and reveals she has cancer. Meredith relates how she once had cancer and got a mastectomy as well. Later, Geralyn goes with Wendy to talk with breast reconstruction doctors and meets a woman that has already had the procedure done. She learns about all the reconstructed breast and nipple options she can get, and is still saddened that she will lose what she already has. Drunk on wine, Wendy and Donna inspire Geralyn to take a topless picture with them. The next day, a determined Geralyn goes to the hospital, puts on her "war paint" of red lipstick, and prepares to go under Dr. Bradley's knife. While she is in surgery, Tyler goes off alone and breaks down in sobs. Meanwhile, Geralyn dreams of fleeing the operating room. In real life, a nurse reads a mantra to her while she gets put under. Afterward, Geralyn awakens in her hospital bed, with Tyler and the rest of her family and friends consoling her. Later, Dr. Crone visits with her, and Geralyn discusses how she wants to have a baby. She is told how that could be dangerous to her hormone levels. Recovering at home, Geralyn is scared to look at the scar which replaced her right breast. Then, she and Tyler have sex. Eventually, Geralyn reports to her first chemotherapy session. There, she meets fellow cancer patient Moneisha, who tells her the best thing about having the disease. Soon, Geralyn is sick and throwing up. In time, she returns to work and receives applause and a cake. Meredith tells Geralyn to go back home and take it easy but Geralyn refuses. Tyler continues to be strong as he pulls back Geralyn's hair as she vomits in the bathroom, then throws out the clumps of hair left in his hand. In time, Geralyn wants to reclaim herself by being more daring, wearing shorter skirts the more her hair falls out. One day on an elevator, Geralyn runs into Victor, who offers his condolences and actually remembers her real name. Geralyn bemoans the fact that she no longer gets wolf whistles from leering construction workers, and simply isn't pretty. Next, she begins getting preliminary work done for her future breast implants. One day, Tyler comes to pick up Geralyn at chemotherapy but she has already left with Wendy and Donna. Returning home, he finds Geralyn drinking wine with the girls and is upset that he's being ignored. Geralyn later begins sensing that her relationship with Tyler is falling apart. She becomes suspicious when Tyler is too busy to have dinners with her. One day, Geralyn notices that her saline injections are making her lopsided. Afterward, Geralyn goes to a drag queen's hair salon looking to get a wig. That night, she puts on her wig, some red lipstick, and a negligee and prepares a romantic dinner for herself and Tyler. However, he doesn't return home that night until very late, saying he had a late surgery. Then, they get in a fight over him not coming to chemotherapy sessions and Geralyn having seen him talking to a woman at the hospital. Tyler gets drunk and confesses that he feels he is responsible for her cancer. He stumbles and smashes his forehead. At the hospital after getting stitched up, Tyler reveals that he is proud to be Geralyn's husband. Eventually, Geralyn has to finally decide on what kind of artificial nipple she wants. Instead, she goes to a tattoo artist to get a heart inked onto her breast. Afterward, Geralyn agrees to have her reconstructed breast photographed for a magazine, and she nervously goes to the set. There, Geralyn gets cold feet and wants the photographs scrapped. However, she is eventually convinced of the power of the photos. She hopes they will inspire other breast cancer survivors so that they, too, can still feel beautiful. Ultimately, Geralyn goes on to give birth to a baby girl. Graphic reveals facts about Geralyn in the present day. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Lifetime
- DATE: October 23, 2006 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:29:16
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:91802
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: Lifetime - TV, 2006
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert Green … Executive Producer
- Jack Grossbart … Executive Producer
- Linda L. Kent … Executive Producer
- Peter Werner … Co-Executive Producer, Director
- Terry Gould … Producer
- Geralyn Lucas … Co-Producer, Based on the book by
- David Beatty … Associate Producer
- Nancey Silvers … Writer
- Ernest Troost … Music by
- Sarah Chalke … Cast, Geralyn Lucas
- Jay Harrington … Cast, Tyler Lucas
- Lally Cadeau … Cast, Barbara
- Harvey Atkin … Cast, Harvey
- Robin BrulŽ … Cast, Wendy
- Mayko Nguyen … Cast, Donna
- Julie Khaner … Cast, Meredith
- Ron Lea … Cast, Dr. Keel
- Patti LaBelle … Cast, Moneisha
- Conrad Pla … Cast, Cuban Taxi Driver
- Geoffrey Pounsett … Cast, Dr. Bob Bradley
- Jordan Barker … Cast, Adam
- Andrew Gillies … Cast, Victor
- Yanna McIntosh … Cast, Dr. Crone
- Janet Lo … Cast, Mammogram Nurse
- Elizabeth Saunders … Cast, Dr. Meadows
- John Bourgeois … Cast, Dr. Frank
- Laurie Elliot … Cast, Woman with New Breasts
- Marcia Diamond … Cast, Mrs. Jackson
- Dwight McFee … Cast, Newsstand Guy
- Nicky Guadagni … Cast, Photographer
- Dax Ravina … Cast, Tattoo Artist
- Lisa Merchant … Cast, Chemo Nurse
- Kim Roberts … Cast, Operating Room Nurse
- Briony Glassco … Cast, Dr. Schachter
- Mark DeAngelis … Cast, Paul
- Miranda Edwards … Cast, Maggy
- Thom Allison … Cast, Queen from Queens