Category: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

My Book Review of “After Breast Cancer”

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I want to thank the author, Sara Liyanage, and her publishers, Sheldon Press, for sending Sara’s book, After Breast Cancer, so that I may read and review it. The name itself appeals to me. Survivorship after breast cancer is not only important but can mean many things to those of us who have gone through it. I am honored to share my book review of After Breast Cancer. From Cover to Cover a Quick Summary When I taught students how to “get to know” a book these are things that I would tell them. In every sense of the word, after I took my own advice and went through these steps myself, I was ready to dig into Sara’s book. How After Breast Cancer Speaks to so Many Did you feel as though you were free falling after finishing all your treatments? Were there days when you weren’t sure what Continue Reading →

Introducing BulbPendant for Drain Management During Breast Surgery

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The perfect solution for the management of Jackson Pratt bulb drains. From the HandandHand Medical website Successful recovery depends on the ability to heal without worry. But as physicians, patients and caregivers know, bulb drains are incredibly stressful. After surgery, the bulbs are loose, and patients do not know what to do with them. Drains can also become dislodged, requiring another procedure to replace them. BulbPendant for drain management during breast reconstruction not only solves these problems it relieves patients of the stress of dealing with bulb drains. Eliminating learning curves is a huge advantage. They (BP) are simple, so intuitive, it’s self-explanatory fitting 99% of all patients. The patient simply bows their head, keeping their elbows down at their sides while the neoprene band slides over their shoulders. The drain bulbs insert into the mesh pedant and easily clip into place, 30 seconds and you are done. BP is designed Continue Reading →

Episode 20: Planning Your Breast Reconstruction

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You have been diagnosed with breast cancer or find you are at high risk of getting breast cancer and are facing a mastectomy. Now what? If you choose to reconstruct your breast what does this process look like? Dr. Santosh Kale, MD, MBA is my guest on Episode 20 and planning your Breast Reconstruction, of the DiepCJourney podcast . He is a board-certified Plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon who practices in Gahanna, Ohio at Midwest Breast and Aesthetic Surgery outside of Columbus, Ohio. Along with his team at Midwest Breast he specializes in breast reconstruction (implant and tissue-based), aesthetic breast surgery, body contouring, and lymphedema surgery. Patient Considerations in Planning Their Breast Reconstruction Patients are inundated with information at the beginning of a diagnosis or finding they have a genetic mutation. They see an oncologist, breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiologist, and other medical specialists. Where does a patient begin the research and planning for their Continue Reading →

Cancer Survivors Day 2023

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I did not title this blog “National Cancer Survivors Day” for one reason. Cancer is an international disease. How it is treated, the access to care, the stories of cancer survivors are global. We should celebrate every cancer survivor around the world, every day. I am glad there is one day set aside to honor us and bring awareness to what being a cancer survivor is. I salute all of us this year on Cancer Survivors Day 2023. Living “With a History of Cancer” Many are confused by the word ‘survivor’, but I feel this is a well-defined statement. There is a website dedicated to Cancer Survivors Day. This is the statement from their website. According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, administrator for the celebration, “A ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.” National Cancer Continue Reading →

Women I Know and Admire

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May brings many celebrations that honor women. It is Mother’s Day weekend, but I have seen so much more on social media this month celebrating women. There are many women I know and admire, and I wish to celebrate them. The Mothers we Know and Admire They are not all with us, which gives me an even greater sense of appreciation that my ninety-two-year-old mother is still quite well and living. Admiration does not begin to embody all my thoughts and feelings for this woman. Not all mothers are admired through life and even after they have passed. It is the way of our fragile and emotional human nature. But for those who have been there for us you deserve some kudos and few more as we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend. Wiping tears, listening, making tough decisions on behalf of their children, working exhaustively at home and in their Continue Reading →

Why DIEP Flap is the Best Recommended Breast Reconstruction Option

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The focus of this blog is two-fold. I will provide information regarding an upcoming public hearing concerning recent changes to insurance coverage for DIEP flap breast reconstruction. It will be held on June 1, 2023. The hearing will allow patients affected by breast cancer to become involved. I share my personal feeling that it is important for readers to understand the magnitude of this hearing regarding access to and coverage for breast reconstruction. There are many medical reasons why DIEP flap is the best recommended breast reconstruction option. Information Regarding Public Hearing on Breast Reconstruction Over the past few months, there has been a lot of information sharing on social media regarding coding changes to DIEP flap surgery. The collective voices sharing this information in multiple formats, coalitions formed, and no matter what organization it is from, has resulted in the public hearing held by CMS. I want to share Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction for Stage IV Breast Cancer

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I have embedded a video with my guest Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, current president of PRMA in San Antonio, Texas on the topic of breast reconstruction for stage IV breast cancer. We share our common thinking that we do not believe we would have been having this conversation ten, or even as recently as five years ago. It is a topic worthy of discussion. Dr. C shares information in the slides to guide those with stage IV breast cancer through the decisional process of considering their options for breast reconstruction. Development of Decisional Apps and Treatment for Stage IV Breast Cancer A convincing motivation for me having this conversation with Dr. C is that he is the developer of the Breast Advocate® app. This free app is co-created by leading specialists and patient advocates. I have been on Dr. C’s advisory team since the inception of the app and have watched Continue Reading →

Volunteers Moving the Mission of DiepCFoundation Forward

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Since before opening DiepCFoundation.org in the summer of 2016 I have been surrounded by volunteers. Being part of a nonprofit organization requires time, talent, and passion. I could not do this without our volunteers. This blog is dedicated to those who have and continue to believe in the mission of the Foundation. Every day I see volunteers moving the mission of DiepCFoundation forward. The First Volunteers for DiepCFoundation It all began with a phone call. Late in the day in February of 2016 the surgeon who performed my DIEP flap breast reconstruction called encouraging me to open a nonprofit foundation. Thank you, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, for taking time, for volunteering to make that phone call after your workday in surgery on your way home. I promised him I would begin giving this consideration. A month passed and I was visiting our oldest son and daughter-in-law to help with the care Continue Reading →

From Diagnosis to Regaining Strength after DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

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I remember well the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found out when I received a phone call about my first diagnosis. It honestly felt surreal, like a gut punch when I picked up the phone and heard, “You have breast cancer.” The second time it was in person when I was called back to the radiologist’s office on my way home. The phone rang telling me to return after being cleared to go by a resident. I knew it wasn’t going to be good. But from diagnosis to regaining strength after DIEP flap, I made it through like so many others. My Diagnosis, Both Does the moment and emotions you experienced when you were diagnosed ever go away? I often hear the day, time, place, and how one felt is forever etched in your mind. It still is for me. How did you feel? My palms were Continue Reading →

Benefits of Yoga after Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction

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This summary is an interview I had with my former oncologist, and now dear friend, Leona Belle (Dr. Leona Downey, a retired medical oncologist) about the benefits of yoga after breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Because Leona is a breast cancer survivor and has had breast reconstruction she speaks about her own Journey through diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and recovery. A Medical Oncologist Turned Yoga Instructor Leona is a trained medical oncologist. She lived in Tucson, Arizona working in both academic and private practice for ten years. Leona expresses how much she enjoyed being able to help others who were diagnosed going through what is a very challenging time in their lives. She did a pivot after ten years in practice realizing she wanted a slower pace of life and to do something different. Leona retired at a young age and moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with her husband.  Her goal, Continue Reading →