Category: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Women I Know and Admire

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May brings many celebrations that honor women. It is Mother’s Day weekend, but I have seen so much more on social media this month celebrating women. There are many women I know and admire, and I wish to celebrate them. The Mothers we Know and Admire They are not all with us, which gives me an even greater sense of appreciation that my ninety-two-year-old mother is still quite well and living. Admiration does not begin to embody all my thoughts and feelings for this woman. Not all mothers are admired through life and even after they have passed. It is the way of our fragile and emotional human nature. But for those who have been there for us you deserve some kudos and few more as we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend. Wiping tears, listening, making tough decisions on behalf of their children, working exhaustively at home and in their Continue Reading →

Why DIEP Flap is the Best Recommended Breast Reconstruction Option

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The focus of this blog is two-fold. I will provide information regarding an upcoming public hearing concerning recent changes to insurance coverage for DIEP flap breast reconstruction. It will be held on June 1, 2023. The hearing will allow patients affected by breast cancer to become involved. I share my personal feeling that it is important for readers to understand the magnitude of this hearing regarding access to and coverage for breast reconstruction. There are many medical reasons why DIEP flap is the best recommended breast reconstruction option. Information Regarding Public Hearing on Breast Reconstruction Over the past few months, there has been a lot of information sharing on social media regarding coding changes to DIEP flap surgery. The collective voices sharing this information in multiple formats, coalitions formed, and no matter what organization it is from, has resulted in the public hearing held by CMS. I want to share Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction for Stage IV Breast Cancer

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I have embedded a video with my guest Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, current president of PRMA in San Antonio, Texas on the topic of breast reconstruction for stage IV breast cancer. We share our common thinking that we do not believe we would have been having this conversation ten, or even as recently as five years ago. It is a topic worthy of discussion. Dr. C shares information in the slides to guide those with stage IV breast cancer through the decisional process of considering their options for breast reconstruction. Development of Decisional Apps and Treatment for Stage IV Breast Cancer A convincing motivation for me having this conversation with Dr. C is that he is the developer of the Breast Advocate® app. This free app is co-created by leading specialists and patient advocates. I have been on Dr. C’s advisory team since the inception of the app and have watched Continue Reading →

Volunteers Moving the Mission of DiepCFoundation Forward

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Since before opening DiepCFoundation.org in the summer of 2016 I have been surrounded by volunteers. Being part of a nonprofit organization requires time, talent, and passion. I could not do this without our volunteers. This blog is dedicated to those who have and continue to believe in the mission of the Foundation. Every day I see volunteers moving the mission of DiepCFoundation forward. The First Volunteers for DiepCFoundation It all began with a phone call. Late in the day in February of 2016 the surgeon who performed my DIEP flap breast reconstruction called encouraging me to open a nonprofit foundation. Thank you, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, for taking time, for volunteering to make that phone call after your workday in surgery on your way home. I promised him I would begin giving this consideration. A month passed and I was visiting our oldest son and daughter-in-law to help with the care Continue Reading →

From Diagnosis to Regaining Strength after DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

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I remember well the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found out when I received a phone call about my first diagnosis. It honestly felt surreal, like a gut punch when I picked up the phone and heard, “You have breast cancer.” The second time it was in person when I was called back to the radiologist’s office on my way home. The phone rang telling me to return after being cleared to go by a resident. I knew it wasn’t going to be good. But from diagnosis to regaining strength after DIEP flap, I made it through like so many others. My Diagnosis, Both Does the moment and emotions you experienced when you were diagnosed ever go away? I often hear the day, time, place, and how one felt is forever etched in your mind. It still is for me. How did you feel? My palms were Continue Reading →

Benefits of Yoga after Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction

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This summary is an interview I had with my former oncologist, and now dear friend, Leona Belle (Dr. Leona Downey, a retired medical oncologist) about the benefits of yoga after breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Because Leona is a breast cancer survivor and has had breast reconstruction she speaks about her own Journey through diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and recovery. A Medical Oncologist Turned Yoga Instructor Leona is a trained medical oncologist. She lived in Tucson, Arizona working in both academic and private practice for ten years. Leona expresses how much she enjoyed being able to help others who were diagnosed going through what is a very challenging time in their lives. She did a pivot after ten years in practice realizing she wanted a slower pace of life and to do something different. Leona retired at a young age and moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with her husband.  Her goal, Continue Reading →

Resilience and Hope in Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction

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These seem like very strong words to define one who has been diagnosed with breast cancer or going through breast reconstruction. I believe people in either of these circumstances possess both hope and resilience. There are unpredictable forces in our life that move us forward. I consider resilience and hope in breast cancer and breast reconstruction as two of those forces. Resilience When Diagnosed with Breast Cancer When you hear or read the word, resilience, it seems like a strong word to define someone who has heard the news they have breast cancer. What I am really trying to convey is that whether you think you have resilience or not, you are actively showing that you do. How? By putting one foot in front of the other each moment, each day after being diagnosed. It is not to say you must stay positive, you are being courageous, or acting tough. Continue Reading →

Patient Advocacy in San Antonio

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I am sitting in my office looking out the window at softly falling snow. The cold temperatures of winter have settled in. It is a great day to reflect while sipping on a cup of warm tea after a week at the conference followed by a week spent with family. It is a strong finish wrapping up 2022 and patient advocacy in San Antonio. Patient Advocacy Focus at SABCS The hashtag #SABCS2022 was seen on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn during the first week of December. This was my third time attending the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium conference. I was an active part of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) Patient Advocacy Program this year. It required a great deal of planning and preparation. The first year I attended in 2016 I was a newbie. I wasn’t even sure if I should be attending after just opening my nonprofit organization, Continue Reading →

Tips for Getting Through the Holidays During Breast Cancer

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I have written about this topic before but each year I seem to learn something new. I hear from other people about being diagnosed or having surgery toward the end of the year. This can throw an extra wrench into holiday plans since so many people celebrate a number of different holidays in December. I learn from them and share my tips for getting through the holidays during breast cancer. My Tips for Managing your Phone Time This Thanksgiving, I gave myself a gift. I called family and close friends in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and told them I was turning my phone off the entire day of Thanksgiving beginning at bedtime the night before. I did not turn it back on until the morning after. They had the ability to get a hold of me in an emergency. I wanted to make sure of that. It was Continue Reading →

Ways of Giving Back

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There are many ways to give back to nonprofit organizations. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, surgeon, individual or corporate entity, or know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, at DiepCFoundation we want to share ways of giving back to the community we serve. Donate Your Time or Share a Testimonial There is nothing more rewarding than standing beside a volunteer at an event we are part of. These are patients who have been through this surgery and know first hand what to say to those who attend these events. We are grateful and will continue to reach out to our volunteers at these events. Writing a Testimonial and sharing it on our social media accounts is so appreciated. You can write it anonymously or we are happy to use your name and tag you on social media. Patients write testimonials telling us that viewing our DiepC Foundation Continue Reading →