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#WorldCancerDay February 4, 2016
#WorldCancerDay February 4, 2016 It would be a day of celebration if we did not even have a #WorldCancerDay trending on social media. A #WorldCureDay is what we would all like to see trending. That seems impossible and unlikely to many. So what does #WorldCancerDay mean to you? My short answer and one that holds great meaning to me personally: #Community. A community of #WeCanICan. I resisted being part of that cancer community when I was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time. Get it out, kill it with the toxic chemo and radiate it until it is no more. I did not want to be in that community. I wanted to move on and get back to a “normal” life. Diagnoses number two? I decided it was time to join the community. What a community they are! Yes, it is a community of frightened patients. It is a community Continue Reading →
Baldness During Breast Cancer & Chemo
Baldness During Breast Cancer & Chemo Baldness during Breast Cancer & Chemo is not an easy side affect for most women. You could walk around for weeks, months without anyone knowing you have breast cancer unless… wait for it… you’re on CHEMO, especially the type causing hair loss!!! The sight of a women who is bald is a forgone conclusion and truly screams, “I’m on chemo and have cancer!” It’s just not an easy pill to swallow, excuse the tongue in cheek. Many forms of chemo cause hair loss in women. It did for me and the brave women who volunteered to use their photos to be in this blog post. They all willingly shared their pictures for a reason. We did it to support another woman who is going through chemo as I write this blog. But, whether you have been through chemo, are currently going through chemo, or Continue Reading →
Baseline MRI after DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
I went for my baseline MRI after DIEP flap breast reconstruction this week. Additionally, I had blood work drawn which I do every four months to monitor tumor markers. I actually forgot they had to inject contrast dye into my veins during the last part of the MRI; double sticks, two appointments with lots of needles! Breast MRI #1 I have been mentally preparing myself for this day for a few weeks now. The last time I had a breast MRI was in April of 2014. It was ordered by my breast surgeon to determine if a mastectomy was the best course of action after my second breast cancer diagnosis. It was the first time I ever experienced the face down position MRI; the kind where your breast are sort of hanging, or suspended in air as the images are taken. The 2014 MRI is when I had my “original” Continue Reading →
Breast Cancer Patient Education Act Passes into Law
Breast Cancer Patient Education Act Passes into Law Today, December 18, 2015, the Breast Cancer Patient Education Act was passed into law by Congress. It is truly difficult for me to contain my enthusiasm. This bill will work to educate and inform other women about their breast reconstruction options. They will have the same advantage that I did at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis. I was fortunate that I was told about my reconstruction options by my skilled breast surgeon, Dr. Michele Ley, the day of my diagnosis. I soon came to find out through research and talking to many women that they are not given this information. They did not know about the options available to them to rebuild their body, restore their confidence and move on with life after hearing they had breast cancer or carried the BRCA gene mutation. It has been exactly one year Continue Reading →
DIEP flap Recovery With Young Children at Home
Recovery from DIEP flap breast reconstruction with young children at home is a worrisome consideration. Women are, by nature, care givers. A mother’s thoughts focus on what their physical ability will be after surgery and how they will be able to care for their children once home and recovering. A mother leaves the house to go to reconstructive surgery and her children see her in a healthy, active state. When she returns home from surgery she will physically be weaker, perhaps a bit hunched over from the abdominal incision and will be very cautious about having children sit on her lap, lift them, hug them or snuggle with them like she used to before surgery. Moms are active and engaged with young children, bending, stooping, lifting and twisting; all activities that must be adjusted after DIEP flap surgery. I have taught young children for many years and know that speaking Continue Reading →
Breast Reconstruction: Benefits vs. Cosmesis
What are breast reconstruction benefits and are the benefits vs. cosmesis equal or separate? Although this question may not have been stated in these words, women considering breast reconstruction must think about this complex question. No one can come close to knowing what this decision involves except the patient themselves. Not only is it a difficult and complex process of logic but it involves a great emotional decision as well. I am speaking about breast reconstruction in very specific circumstances. Humans are faced with many unexpected events in life catapulting us to become educated about a topic we never imagined we would be learning about. A cancer diagnosis or finding you have a gene mutation putting you at high risk for breast cancer is one of those life events. Those who are considering breast reconstruction after cancer or for prophylactic reasons to greatly decrease chances of a cancer occurrence go Continue Reading →
One Year Post DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction
One Year Post DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction I am now one year post DIEP flap breast reconstruction. I was finalizing my surgical prep exactly one year ago today as I write this blog. My surgery was the morning of December 1, 2014. So how am I doing now? How does my body feel? Do I have any regrets? Would I suggest having DIEP flap surgery to other women? Was I truly able to “just get on with it”? I’m doing just splendidly! I honestly believe I’m doing quite well, in fact splendidly, and enjoying many benefits from having DIEP flap surgery after a second breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy. I want the reader to know so you have hope. I opened my social media accounts today before I began writing this blog post. I read a statement from a woman who was just going in for her DIEP flap Continue Reading →
Benefits of Exercise after Breast Cancer
Benefits of Exercise after Breast Cancer It is #WorkoutWednesday and I’d like to share a comprehensive video from John’s Hopkins Medicine on the benefits of exercise after Breast Cancer. Take ten minutes out of your day to view it and then I encourage you to move at your pace and ability to improve your health. Cancer diagnosis, treatments, surgery as well as breast reconstruction surgery take a lot out of our bodies. We may have gone into either of these situations being very healthy. I often hear this from other women. This is definitely to your benefit and will help with recovery. However, after treatments and surgery you are then left to pick up the pieces from the assault on your body. Where do you move forward from there? Whether you are walking, running, dancing, doing Pilates, yoga or another form of movement, know that you are providing great benefits Continue Reading →
Thankfulness
A feeling of thankfulness is what I frequently experience when I sit at my keyboard to write. Free flowing thoughts, words, ideas about knowledge, science, medicine, health, life’s experiences are why I love the writing process. My day is not complete unless I have at the very least written down or made note of something I feel is worth writing about to inform and educate others. My daily routine consists of fixing coffee, checking my social media accounts and then organizing my day before I go on my morning walk. Often times a thought, an idea or a topic comes to mind while I am out walking and I’ll come back to my office and act on it. There is nothing like fresh air and getting that blood pumping through your system to fuel some new ideas. There are mornings though that the well seems to be dry. I think Continue Reading →