Ep. 105: Breast Neurotization Using Nerve Tape® with Dr. Serletti

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What role does breast neurotization play in restoring sensation after breast reconstruction, and how are advances in microsurgical nerve repair helping surgeons approach this important aspect of patient care? In Episode 105 of the DiepCJourney® podcast, I am joined by Dr. Joseph Serletti, Chief of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss his experience using Nerve Tape®, a suture-free solution for connecting nerves during microsurgical procedures. Dr. Serletti’s Background in Sensate Breasts and Published Data on Nerve Tape® Dr. Serletti is a pioneer in free flap autologous breast reconstruction, using a patient’s own tissue to reconstruct the breast, and is internationally recognized for his work in reconstructive microsurgery, including breast, head and neck, and extremity reconstruction. The published  data on the efficacy of Nerve Tape® is published on the Biocircuit website. My interest in this product began when I tried it at a medical conference. To my surprise, Continue Reading →

Celebrating Ten Years at DiepCFoundation

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Ten years. A decade of advocacy, education, community-building, and deeply human connection. As DiepCFoundation marks this milestone, we celebrate not only the work accomplished, but the people who made it possible: patients, surgeons, volunteers, partners, and a global community committed to empowering individuals facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction decisions. This anniversary is a moment to reflect, honor, and recommit ourselves to the mission that started it all: ensuring every patient has access to trustworthy information, compassionate support, and a place to belong. Our Community Outreach Over the past ten years, DiepCFoundation has grown into a global community, one that continues to expand in both reach and impact. What began as a small effort to share reliable information about breast reconstruction has evolved into a robust network of more than 18,000 members worldwide across our platforms. Our private Facebook group, DiepCJourney – Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy, remains the heart of Continue Reading →

Your Invitation to the 2026 DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium

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Every year, our community grows, not just in numbers, but in strength, knowledge, and the collective determination to ensure every breast cancer patient has access to clear, compassionate, evidence‑based information. As we step into 2026, that mission feels more important than ever. Your inviation to the 2026 DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium is all here! That’s why I’m honored to invite you to the DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium 2026, a full‑day in person event dedicated to education, shared decision‑making, and the lived experiences that shape the future of breast reconstruction care. Why This Symposium Matters Breast reconstruction is not just a surgical choice; it’s a deeply personal journey. Patients deserve to understand their options, hear directly from experts, and feel supported by a community that truly sees them. This year’s symposium brings together microsurgeons, patient advocates, medical tattoo artists, wellness leaders, and survivors whose stories illuminate what patient‑centered care looks like in real Continue Reading →

Father’s Day 2026: The Quiet Courage of the Men Who Shape Us

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Father’s Day invites us to pause and re‑examine our values, surrender our ego, and remember the men who taught us what integrity, humility, and everyday grace look like. Life has a way of testing us through tragedy, pivots, and hard decisions. But it also reveals something deeper: our shared humanity. The truth is that empathy and vulnerability are not weaknesses, but superpowers that heal. This year, I find myself reflecting on three men whose influence continues to shape my life and the mission of DiepCFoundation: my Dad, my surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, and our oldest son, Richard. Each of them taught me something essential about courage, compassion, and what it means to show up for others. At the end of the blog, I share a special fourth tribute. My Dad: Love Spoken in Actions, Not Words My Dad never texted, never Face Timed, and never understood why his daughters were Continue Reading →

When Courage Finds You: A Breast Cancer Reflection

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Courage is a word that has followed me through every chapter of my breast cancer journey. Loved ones whispered it, clinicians spoke it, and strangers offered it without knowing the full story. Many in the breast cancer community hear the word long before they feel anything close to brave. I have spent years thinking about what courage means, how it shows up, and why it feels so complicated. This reflection is my attempt to honor that truth. What Does Courage Really Mean? People often imagine courage as bold, loud, and heroic. Popular images show someone charging forward without hesitation. Real courage looks very different for most of us. It is the ability to act while fear is still present. It is choosing to move forward even when your voice shakes and your heart feels unsteady. Those facing breast cancer discover that courage is not a single moment. It becomes a Continue Reading →

Where Every Voice Matters

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The following script is from the video embedded in this blog where you will hear from the moderator of the DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium 2026, where every voice matters. **In early June we will announce the link and sign up for the online option of attending the Symposium. Dr. Chrysopoulo here from PRMA plastic surgery in San Antonio, Texas. Most medical meetings share information. The best ones change how care though, is actually delivered. The DiepCFoundation Breast Symposium is one of those rare meetings where patients, surgeons, and advocates are all in the same room. For patients, this means direct access; not filtered and not second-hand. Real conversations with experts and with others who’ve actually been through it before, leading to a clearer understanding and more confident decisions for you. For Physicians and care teams it creates real time feedback; a feedback loop, in essence, not just clinical outcomes but patient Continue Reading →

Why Evidence Matters: Understanding the Subtle Ways Misinformation Takes Hold

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Misinformation in cancer care rarely arrives as an obvious falsehood. It often slips in quietly. This can happen through emotional posts in support groups, sensational headlines, or well‑meaning advice that isn’t grounded in science. In a community already navigating fear, uncertainty, and life‑altering decisions, these subtle distortions can shape beliefs, influence choices, and erode trust in evidence‑based care. This is why evidence matters and why I am sharing my observations on understanding the subtle ways misinformation takes hold. How Misinformation Takes Hold Understanding how misinformation takes hold is essential not only for patients, but for caregivers, clinicians, and advocates who want to protect the integrity of cancer care and ensure that decisions are made with clarity rather than confusion. In the breast cancer community, misinformation often thrives in moments of vulnerability. A newly diagnosed patient searching for hope may encounter “miracle cures” or alternative treatments that promise results without evidence. Continue Reading →

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 →