Navigating Healthcare as a Patient Advocate

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Patient advocacy shows up in so many meaningful ways, and my guest on this episode of the DiepCJourney® podcast has been part of my own journey since the very beginning. We first connected back in 2015, when I was just starting to write my blog. She offered guidance, encouragement, and wisdom at a time when I was still finding my footing. I’ve followed her story ever since, and her voice has continued to inspire me and so many others. She tells us the challenges of navigating healthcare as a patient advocate. As a valued member of the DiepCJourney® community, it felt only natural to invite her to share her experience with all of you. I’m delighted to share this interview summary of my chat with Rebecca Hogue, Becky to her friends. She shares her many life transitions from professional work, moving from the U.S. and back to Canada, two breast Continue Reading →

Traveling to the Center For Natural Breast Reconstruction

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For patients exploring their options for breast reconstruction and learning they must travel, the very thought of a long car trip or airline travel can seem like an overwhelming task. It is important at DiepCFoundation then that we provide those practices who support patients who will be traveling for their breast reconstruction surgery. On this episode of the DiepCJourney® podcast, I talk to Dr. Richard Kline and his team to learn how they support patients who travel to their practice at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Please go over to the DiepCFoundation YouTube channel and look for this episode soon! If you have questions after you listen to the interview whether you listen to the podcast or watch the video, let us know and we’ll try to answer them. The Team Approach in Breast Reconstruction Dr. Kline collaborates with a team in the operating Continue Reading →

Microsurgical Conferences: Why and How

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I still remember attending my first medical conference after launching DiepCFoundation in the summer of 2016. Since then, I’ve participated in more meetings than I can count, each one reinforcing how essential thoughtful preparation is for meaningful patient advocacy, whether the focus is breast cancer or breast reconstruction. My first event of 2026 will be the annual meeting of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), a gathering that always inspires reflection on why microsurgical conferences matter and how to make the most of them. In this blog, I’m sharing the strategies that have helped me prepare, stay grounded, and find success in these dynamic environments. Strategies Preparing for Microsurgical Conferences Registration for ASRM begins months before the actual conference. There is an early registration price and once that passes the cost increases. As a nonprofit, I remain mindful of our budget since I have to justify expenditure to my Continue Reading →

Episode 88: PRMA’s TruSense® in Breast Reconstruction for Sensate Breasts

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I sat down with Dr. Chet Nastala of PRMA Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates while visiting their practice in San Antonio for BRA Day 2025. We discuss TruSense® and sensate breasts, the PRMA service mark and surgical method they use to reconstruct nerves to improve sensation to the breast. The following is a summary of our discussion that you can listen to on the DiepCJourney® podcast. We have included the entirety of the interview below from episode 88: PRMA’s TruSense® in Breast Reconstruction for Sensate Breasts. Dr. Nastala’s Training and Background Dr. Nastala began his training in the northeast and attended Harvard for his undergraduate degree. He attended Duke for medical school and did his surgical training at the University of Pittsburg. There he completed training combining plastic surgery, general surgery, some surgical oncology, and research. He has been at PRMA plastic surgery for twenty-five years. He is particularly interested in Continue Reading →

Kindness, Gratitude, Courage: My Compass for 2026

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As I step into 2026, I find myself returning again and again to three simple words. Those words are kindness, gratitude, and courage. They aren’t new concepts. They aren’t complicated. But they have become the compass points guiding how I want to show up in the world, how I want to lead, and how I want to serve the breast cancer community that has shaped my life in ways I never could have imagined. These three words have carried me through seasons of uncertainty, moments of profound connection, and the quiet, steady work of advocacy. They have grounded me when the world felt heavy and lifted me when I needed reminding that hope is not naïve. Hope is necessary. And as I look toward the year ahead, they feel more necessary than ever. Kindness: The Quiet Energy that is Transformative and Contagious Kindness is often underestimated because it’s gentle. It Continue Reading →

BioCircuit Nerve Tape®: Bridging Curiosity and Clinical Insight

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I was wandering around the exhibit hall floor at Plastic Surgery the Meeting 2025 (PSTM25) and was curious about a particular exhibit. The company representatives were demonstrating the use of Nerve Tape®, a suture free solution for nerve repair. The claim was “connecting nerves faster and more accurately than conventional  methods. I was invited to sit at the demonstration table and try it. As a layperson, I was skeptical about the “faster and more accurately” claim and determined to give them honest feedback. Here’s what happened next. Clinical Insight into BioCircuit Nerve Tape® Speaking to Michelle Jarrad, CEO of BioCircuit Technologies led to a collaboration to educate patients about the product. When the Foundation forges these partnerships, it is patient education focused to align with our mission to support those affected by breast cancer with education to empower and inform. If there are gaps in patient education regarding innovations in Continue Reading →

Change is Part of the Journey: Finding Strength After Reconstruction

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Seasons bring change. We see visible signs of these changes and they are expected. The changes are often welcome like the first warm day of spring after a long winter. This time of year, during December, holiday lights and long winter nights bring a sense of coziness and comfort. We adapt. Change is also part of the Journey after reconstruction. How do we plan and cope with these changes? It is easier for some than others. Thoughts of Unknown Changes When one begins planning their reconstruction surgery many wonder what they will look like after a surgeon carefully takes a scalpel to skin. DIEP flap breast reconstruction involves incisions at both the breasts and the abdomen. Just thinking about that process can be overwhelming. Will there be pain associated with the incisions? Where will the incisions be and how will one take care of them, whether themselves or with the Continue Reading →

Pause Before You Post: Navigating Emotions After Breast Surgery

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We’ve all felt it. It is that surge of emotion after breast surgery when expectations clash with reality, when pain, disappointment, or confusion bubble to the surface. In those moments, social media can feel like a lifeline, a place to vent, connect, or seek validation. But before you hit “post,” take a breath and pause. Your story is sacred, and your healing deserves space. Sharing raw emotions online might feel cathartic, but it can also invite misunderstanding, judgment, or regret. This post is a gentle reminder: your voice matters, and so does the timing of how you use it. Why Timing Matters When you Post When you’re fresh out of surgery, feeling physically tender, emotionally raw, it’s natural to want to reach out. You might feel betrayed by your body, disappointed by results, or overwhelmed by the recovery process. These feelings are valid. But posting in the heat of those Continue Reading →

Empowering Voices: My Experience as a Patient Advocate at the Binaytara Northwest Women’s Cancer Conference

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On September 27, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Binaytara Northwest Women’s Cancer Conference in Portland as a patient advocate, accompanied by my dear friend and fellow advocate, Nikki McCoy. This experience was not just an opportunity to connect with medical professionals; it was a chance to amplify the lived experiences of patients navigating the complexities of cancer diagnoses, treatment, and survivorship. As I reflect on our day at the conference, I am filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose in my advocacy journey. The Power of Presence: Representing Patients Walking into the conference venue that morning, I was acutely aware of the significance of my role. Patient advocates hold a unique position: we are the bridge between patients and providers, amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. Nikki and I were determined to represent not just ourselves, but the countless people and families affected by Continue Reading →

Unplugging and Reconnecting Before Your Breast Reconstruction

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I recently enjoyed a brief but very relaxing vacation with my husband. We visited the Olympic Peninsula in the beautiful state of Washington. Two of our favorite stops were Rialto Beach and the Hoh Rainforest. What we did not know was the lack of internet connectivity in various places on the route. Knowing this was part of our trip, we rolled with it and laughed saying we were “off the grid” hoping we took the correct turns and freeways to reach our destination. This reminded me that unplugging and reconnecting before your breast reconstruction can be a valuable exercise for you. My Thoughts Turned to those Considering Breast Reconstruction There was very little conversation while we were at Rialto Beach. It was an overcast day with thick fog rolling in. We arrived close to high tide in the afternoon. The waves were cresting high and crashing down on the beach. Continue Reading →