Category: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The Story of Two Breast Cancer Survivors

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This is a story of two breast cancer survivors who are connected by one song and a passion for dance.  This story is long overdue! I Hope you Dance (IHYD)! The story of two breast cancer survivors. My friend Susan and I met as young mothers.  She had three sweet and charming daughters.  I had two amazing and delightful sons.  We spent many hours watching our youngest children play together.  Time passed and Susan and I parted ways geographically but to this day we remain close friends. I received a dreaded phone call in November of 2000 I never expected to get.  Susan called from across the country to tell me she had breast cancer.  I began to cry on the phone.  What I wanted to do is be there to hug her.  I remember her words exactly.  She said, “Terri, I didn’t call to make you cry.”  This statement Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Surgery Fears

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Breast Reconstruction Surgery Fears Why do patients fear surgery for breast reconstruction?  It’s just another piece of the anxiety puzzle after a breast cancer diagnosis.  You’re faced with the dreaded news that a best or only option for your treatment plan is a mastectomy.  Lose my breasts?  Your head starts reeling and you think about what you will look like losing the body parts that most defines you as a woman.  There will be scars, pain, recovery, time away from a job and family, anesthesia, medical and insurance costs, and oh yes, what about getting all that cancer out of my body during surgery!  The list goes.  I decided to explore some of these fears in a poll.  I asked members of a Facebook page I manage in support of those going through breast reconstruction.  What they fear and what they go through in their diagnosis and decision to have Continue Reading →

Holiday Wishes on the Journey

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This is the time of year to send holiday wishes on the Journey.  If I could wrap up in boxes all the stories shared, both happy and sad, those who have been on this Journey through breast reconstruction, I don’t think there would be a space large enough to place those wrapped boxes.  We have shared struggles, triumphs, waiting for results, preparation, anticipation of surgery, celebrating completion of the reconstructive process; the list goes on. Who are we here on the Journey? We are a global community that stretches beyond cultural borders and continents.  We are women and men who have heard those dreaded words, “You have breast cancer” or “You are BRCA positive”.  Through your research, a friend, or physician you found the Journey.  You told us your personal story.  Some are still in treatment waiting to go through the reconstructive process.  Others have completed phase one and are Continue Reading →

When the Seemingly Fearless become Fearful

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When the Seemingly Fearless become Fearful The title of this blog, “When the seemingly fearless become fearful”, was etched out of a discussion I had with a fellow cancer survivor.  Stephie is a childhood cancer survivor and donor heart recipient, but most importantly, a dear friend.  We became friends through social media and the patient advocacy work we do.  Our phone chat earlier this week centered around my fear.  This was my week to have blood work for tumor markers.  I am still on a four-month protocol cycle for these since my second breast cancer diagnosis in 2014.  I am grateful they have all been within the normal range since my second diagnosis.  However, these events do not pass without triggering my PTSD about recurrence. Stephie is such a great listener and encouraged me that this week’s blog should be about “when the seemingly fearless become fearful. Breast Friends on Continue Reading →

Pink & Blue Colors of Hereditary Cancer

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Pink & Blue Colors of Hereditary Cancer I am not a BRCA gene carrier but tonight I will be hosting the premier of the movie, Pink & Blue Colors of Hereditary Cancer, in my city.  What is my interest then, you might ask? My Journey Through Genetic Testing I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 2014.  I had a double mastectomy because the cancer was in both breasts this time.  I knew a double mastectomy was the best course of action for me after asking, educating myself, researching, and having that all important, shared decision making discussion with my health care team.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age the first time. This was my second occurrence.  Those two criteria alone were enough evidence for my breast surgeon and oncologist to recommend that I have genetic testing.  From the National Cancer Institute: Several Continue Reading →

My #REASONS2STANDUP

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What are my #REASONS2STANDUP?  Tonight is the #StandUp2Cancer telecast.  According to a live interview today on Facebook with Katie Couric, this is an effort of collaboration among scientist and not one of competition.  She was seen with a colon cancer patient and Dr. William Nelson, Director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.  This is a night to support and honor all those facing cancer. I was actually told about this movement from my oldest son soon after my second cancer diagnosis in May of 2014.  I have to say I was a bit misty-eyed when I received a text from him asking me if I was following the group on Facebook. This is my #REASON2STANDUP!  Two years ago, we were in doubt if I would ever see his then unborn son, my grandson.  Two years ago, I watched my youngest son describe my 2nd diagnosis as Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Consult: The Physical and Technical Component

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Breast Reconstruction Consult: The Physical and Technical Component This blog discusses a breast reconstruction consult: the physical and technical component of a DIEP flap surgical visit with the plastic surgeon.  I wrote part a blog dealing with the emotional and psychological aspects of a consult and another one on the abdominal examination component of a consult. A plastic surgeon will work with his nurse at this initial consult to gather all the pertinent information needed to optimize the outcomes of DIEP flap surgery. Each of us goes to this appointment with unique circumstances in terms of both our physical structure and overall health.  I will walk you through my own personal case but know yours will be exclusive to the situation you bring to the initial consult for your breast reconstruction. The hope is to give you an idea of the steps done during this consult and what the purpose of each Continue Reading →

Ray of Sunshine after Breast Cancer Diagnosis

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It just doesn’t seem a ray of sunshine might even play into the discussion the day I was told I had breast cancer does it?  There actually was a ray of sunshine after a breast cancer diagnosis. This is my story. The Breast Cancer Diagnosis The day of my second breast cancer diagnosis I was sitting in the office of my breast surgeon, Dr. Michele Ley, I saw Dr. Ley about five years previous to my second diagnosis to remove a benign area in my left breast.  I chose to go to her because I was very impressed with her demeanor, compassion, confidence and skill for the minor surgery she performed then.   It was a “steel in my back” kind of day when I was scheduled to go in to see her.  I was alone.  My husband was out of the country on business.  I had been down this road Continue Reading →

National Cancer Survivors Day: Where Do I Begin?

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National Cancer Survivors Day: Where Do I Begin? Today is National Cancer Survivors Day and it is difficult to know where to begin to condense my thoughts about this day as a two time survivor of breast cancer.  There is a very dark side for many survivors.  I’ve had those days; diagnosis, telling your loved ones, surgeries, chemo, radiation, medication, side effects.  But oh those glorious bright days!  Let’s take a look at both. The Dark Side of Cancer Survivor-ship: The Ugly Vortex I have always equated cancer to an ugly vortex.  When you first hear the words that you have cancer that vortex begins its whirling mass of sucking many people into it. Being a cancer survivor does not affect just the individual with the diagnosis. Your spouse, partner, children, family and friends become survivors of sorts as well.  They weren’t asked to take on the role of caregiver Continue Reading →

A Mother and her Sons

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A Mother and her Sons I was encouraged to write a blog about a Mother and her Sons by a friend of mine who began reading my blog about a year ago.  I have avoided it until now.  Not because I didn’t want to write it but I knew the complete emotional fortitude it would take for me to pen my feelings about my two sons.  Mother’s Day will be celebrated soon.  I love Mother’s Day because of my sons. Writing this blog seems appropriate each and every day I am a mother to these two amazing and imperfectly perfect men. This is not Fair for My  Two Sons! What they have been asked to do as sons is beyond what anyone would want their children to go through.  These two stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the ball park when it came to taking care Continue Reading →