Tag: Breast surgeon

5 Things to Share: My Delayed DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

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I am often inspired to write while reading blogs from other sites, reading research papers, or after speaking to patients who ask questions about my experience having delayed DIEP flap breast reconstruction. This week is a mix of all three. I saw a post on the Facebook page from the plastic surgeon I chose for my surgery. The title of the blog post read: Patient Reported Outcomes After Immediate and Delayed DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction. ~ PRMA Plastic Surgery The blog references an evidence-based study from Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It states: The BREAST-Q is an universally accepted tool for evaluation of quality of life and satisfaction in breast surgery. The aim of our study was to identify differences in patient-reported outcomes in immediate and delayed reconstruction with DIEP flap.  ~ Plastic Reconstructive Surgery  During conversations as a patient advocate, I speak to women who ask me to describe what my Continue Reading →

1900 Patients Share Stories About Breast Reconstruction

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Three short years ago in the summer of 2015, I opened a Facebook page dedicated to serve the breast reconstruction community. The Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/diepcjourney/ grew organically by word of mouth. We started out small, as so many new social media sites do. It is growing daily and now 1900 Patients Share Stories About Breast Reconstruction. What Do We Share? Think about this. You have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Now you face the tsunami of information about to flood your brain; lab reports and waiting on results, treatment options, surgery, lumpectomy, mastectomy. Some days you feel overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, or even jubilant. Who will understand all these feelings? Who do I talk to who has been on this Journey? Think about this. You are told your best treatment option is to have a mastectomy. Perhaps, for peace of mind, you decide to have a prophylactic mastectomy because you Continue Reading →

From Nipple Sparing Mastectomy to DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

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A nipple sparing mastectomy to DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be a very successful surgical process after being diagnosed with breast cancer. I want to share my success story and reference articles I have read about nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM). My NSM Experience: Breast Surgeon I credit my breast surgeon, Dr. Michele Boyce Ley, and my plastic surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, for the success of my nipple sparing mastectomy to DIEP flap breast reconstruction. My NSM process began in my breast surgeon’s office the day we consulted about next steps after my second breast cancer diagnosis. She was very hopeful but realistic about saving my nipples while performing my double mastectomy knowing I had plans for DIEP flap later. The MRI scan ordered prior to my mastectomy led her to make this pre-surgical assessment due to the tumor size and location from the nipple as well as techniques she was Continue Reading →

Support During DIEP Flap Surgery

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Support During DIEP Flap Surgery Finding support during DIEP flap breast reconstruction is paramount to the success and recovery of your surgery.  When I speak to others who are contemplating this type of breast reconstruction one of the first questions I ask is, “Do you have a support system?”  I follow with the statement, “You will need it for this surgery!” Support during DIEP flap can include a variety of individuals both personal and professional.  I wanted to take a retrospective look at the support women had for their DIEP flap surgery.  I posted this question in the on-line support group I administer for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Name the three people who you found the greatest support from during your own DIEP flap breast reconstruction process. Breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, family members and friends can look at the replies from these women who have already had DIEP, who it was Continue Reading →

Breast Cancer: Diagnosis #1

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First the Good News You never forget where you were or what you were doing the moment you are told you have breast cancer, NEVER! My initial diagnosis was in January of 2002. I was ironing my husband’s shirts and watching a cooking show. It was 9:15 a.m. when I received the call. The doctor started out with the good news first. “Some of the tumors we biopsied were normal, but”… Yes, this was breast cancer: diagnosis #1. But…… As soon as he said the word “but” I knew. I turned the iron off quickly and sat down and grabbed a pen and paper. I had invasive lobular carcinoma in my left breast.  I began trembling as a tried to write down notes. My handwriting was so shaky I couldn’t even read what I was writing. Meaningless fragments of words appeared on the page. I continued to tremble and tried Continue Reading →

Ta Ta for Now ~ The Double Mastectomy

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The days leading up to my mastectomy were a real mix of emotions. Our youngest son was still living with us at the time and finishing up a second degree. Our oldest son came down from Seattle to be here for Mother’s Day prior to my surgery “just because”. He arrived on May 6th, flew home only to return on the 19th to be here for my recovery after surgery. The 19th was his birthday. Who is lucky enough to have sons so great? Me!!   It was a fantastic week before the mastectomy sharing time with the family. Being surrounded by my husband and two sons and talking and decompressing from the events of the past month was cathartic and healing. Our oldest son came up with the saying, “Ta Ta for now referring to my double mastectomy. Let’s Do This I had to take our oldest son back to Continue Reading →