We come to a season of reflection, giving, and gratitude. I want to take a moment to honor all those who give selflessly of their time helping me in my pursuit of educating and supporting those who are affected by breast cancer. Acknowledging those who give their time for breast reconstruction patients is important to me.
Those World is Full of Giving People
Talk on the street says we have been through a lot the past couple of years. ‘Tis true. I don’t think it is necessary to rehash the events or effect from all that has occurred and shaped our world since early 2020. News headlines inundate us changing our mood, focus, and daily living. And yet, through all of this I continue to witness a world full of giving people. In my corner of the world helping breast reconstruction patients, those giving people seem to come from every walk of life.
Who are they?
- Breast reconstruction patients paying it forward to others going through the reconstructive process.
- Caregivers who understand firsthand what the rigors of recovery is after breast reconstruction.
- Surgeons who treat breast cancer patients in their daily professional lives who understand and know the enormity of this decision.
- Entrepreneurs who have developed products to help breast cancer patients after walking this road themselves as survivors.
- Family and friends who celebrate the work and support DiepCFoundation provides by making monetary donations to stand with us in our mission to help breast cancer and breast reconstruction patients.
- My Mom, yes, Mom, who has championed my decision to leave the classroom and educate others in a different way becoming a nonprofit director. Very few know her impact, but I feel it daily.
- My two sisters who follow Mom’s steadfast inspiration. These are the women in my life who shore me up daily.
Saluting the Volunteers Who Give Their Time
I am fortunate to be invited to events that I can help educate others about their breast reconstruction options. These events take time, demand work, travel, and planning. Standing beside me at each of these events have been volunteers. I am so grateful to call them friends. When I ask, they say, “Of course! How can I help?” I am smiling now when I reflect on those times I have reached out to these breast cancer survivors who want to be there for others.
They lift boxes, drive me around town, host me in their homes, bring me food, make me laugh, and make me cry when I say goodbye and travel home after the event. These volunteers talk to others who are going through the breast reconstruction process with honest stories of planning, recovery, and what life is like while you’ve got drains and tubes attached to you during a hospital stay after a DIEP flap or implant-based reconstruction. These volunteers encourage others with smiles and stories of hope and survivorship.
Giving from The Heart Daily for Breast Reconstruction Patients
Every day I spend my hours at the computer, on the phone, at my desk, going for a home visit, while serving the breast reconstruction community. My family has made sacrifices many do not know about. They acknowledge and understand how passionate I am about this work. When I travel, my husband “holds down the fort” in my absence. When I have coffee or dinner with my boys, they listen to my hopes and frustrations running the nonprofit for this amazing community of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who give their own time. They are so patient with me and often just let me do my thing, because they know how much it means to me.
Then there is the guy, the man, the mentor, the surgeon, the friend, who gave me the nudge. I share the story with a lot of people about the day I picked up the phone when I got a call from Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, my reconstructive surgeon who performed my DIEP flap. He called to encourage me to open a nonprofit supporting breast reconstruction patients. I heeded the call. I see Dr. C occasionally throughout the year at conferences or events. But I lean on him often, seeking advice, resources, requesting time out of his incredibly full schedule to make a video or podcast. This while he works every day behind his surgical loupes, microscope, or clinic changing lives after breast cancer. Thank you, Kind Sir.
In Gratitude to Those Who Give Their Time for Breast Reconstruction Patients
This personal Journey began for me in April of 2014 when I received a second diagnosis of breast cancer. I hear so often from other survivors and advocates that the people they meet, the friends they make, the hearts that give cease to amaze them. I know I haven’t mentioned everyone individually nor can I after eight years. They fill my heart, lift my soul, and make me grateful every day my feet hit the ground. I want you to do me a favor. After you read this blog, turn to that person, write a note, send a text or compose and email and acknowledge those in your life who gave and continue to give their time to you after your own breast reconstruction Journey. That is my call to action for you today!