Breast Cancer Diagnosis Archives

Episode 14: Nipple Graft, an Innovation in Breast Reconstruction

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Terri

New innovations are born out of passion, vision, clinical trials, and a scrupulous process of providing patient safety. In this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast, I speak to Billy Heim, COO of BioAesthetics. He is part of a team who developed an innovation in breast reconstruction, the NAC Graft, nipple areola complex graft. Here is the summary of Episode 14: Nipple Graft, an Innovation in Breast Reconstruction, of the DiepCJourney podcast. I am joined by Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, FACS, an internationally recognized expert in breast cancer reconstruction and shared decision making. He is president of PRMA (Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates). Dr. Chrysopoulo founded Toliman Health and is the creator of Toliman’s flagship app, Breast Advocate®, the world’s first shared decision-making app for breast cancer treatment and breast reconstruction. Saving the Nipple/Areola in Breast Surgery Dr. Chrysopoulo points out that a lot depends on the specific diagnosis. If there is an Continue Reading →

My DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Seven Years Later

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Terri

This morning I began my usual morning routine. I am an early riser. I open my laptop, check my phone for messages, begin sorting out emails to respond to, and begin my workday. But this morning marks a day on my calendar I never forget, or more appropriately, always remember. December 1, 2014, I was sitting on a gurney being marked up for my DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Writing about my DIEP flap breast reconstruction seven years later? How is that possible? Where did the time go? The Days and Months Leading up to my DIEP Flap My coffee is fresh and warm. Thoughts flood through my mind as I recall the events of the morning I showed up at the hospital. Yes, I showed up. But boy did that take a lot of decision making, planning, and a strong dose of physical and emotional fortitude in the days leading Continue Reading →

How to Prepare for and Have a Shared Decision-Making Conversation

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Terri

Terri Coutee and Minas Chrysopoulo, MD FACS Shared decision-making occurs when your doctor (or any healthcare professional) collaborates with you to make the best healthcare decision. The optimal decision takes into account evidence-based information about the available treatment options, the clinicians’ knowledge and experience, and any factors you value in your decision-making. The patient brings their preferences, goals, lifestyle, support structure, …whatever they feel is important to them in making a decision. The physician brings evidence-based information and their expertise. Together, they find the “sweet spot” in the middle. Our aim is to offer recommendations for patient and healthcare professionals to prepare for and have a shared decision-making conversation. Most patients prefer this collaborative approach over deferring treatment decisions completely to their doctor. Unfortunately, in many cases patients may be reticent to initiate this type of conversation or simply don’t appreciate that they can. In reality, if the clinician doesn’t Continue Reading →

A Home for the Breast Cancer Quilt

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Terri

I first encountered DiepC Journey ~ Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy Facebook group when researching my options for prophylactic measures due to carrying a BRCA1 gene mutation. I instantly connected with the vibe of the group. What a wealth of information! If you know the founder of DiepC Foundation and the accompanying Facebook group, Terri Coutee, you will know just how welcoming, no-nonsense, and warm she is in all her advice and education pieces. She works to give each member a personalized experience when interacting with her foundation and page and she has helped countless woman and men dealing with breast cancer or breast cancer risk. Terri and I clicked, we’re both in the Pacific Northwest, shared a mutual friend, and both chose the same reconstruction—DIEP flap (using tissue from the belly.) We even made a video together. My Breast Cancer Journey to a Twist But! Here’s where the twist comes Continue Reading →

Global Collaboration and Learning on the Topic of Breast Reconstruction

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Terri

Collaboration is defined as an action working together with someone to produce or create something. My chosen profession is education. Working with my team in school districts to share ideas exhilarated me. Now, as a nonprofit leader and Founder of DiepCFoundation, I frequently experience global collaboration and learning on the topic of breast reconstruction. Developing a Community of Collaboration Our geographic world is expansive but our ability to collaborate is only an email, text, or message away. When I opened the DiepCJourney private Facebook page, often referred to by members as “The Journey” in the summer of 2015, I had no idea the global relationships that would develop on this page, let alone the other social media accounts I use for the Foundation. The need for education, support, and resources for all options of breast reconstruction after mastectomy continues. I witness this every day on “The Journey”. I set the Continue Reading →

Twenty Years: My Memories of 9/11 and What I Didn’t Know

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Terri

When dates in your life approach on the calendar emotions arise. The events of 9/11 still have great impact on the world. While speaking to friends this week, on the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, we recall exactly where we were and what we were doing the morning we heard the news. Twenty years, my memories of 9/11, and what I didn’t know are told in this blog. Where Were You When You Heard the News on 9/11? September of 2001 brought exciting new beginnings for us. We were new residents to Texas having moved from Seattle to a town north of Houston in the summer of that year. It was a beautiful, warm, fall morning in Texas. Our youngest son was a few blocks away safely tucked in his classes at middle school. My husband was an hour’s drive away in Houston, a large city where the oil and gas Continue Reading →

Episode 15: Lymphedema Treatment and Surgery

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Terri

Lymphedema. It is not a disease. It is a condition breast cancer patients can experience. Skill, knowledge, expertise, experience, and compassionate care all matter when you are seeking any treatment for lymphedema. Our guest, Dr. Ramon Garza III, is well-qualified to discuss the topic of lymphedema treatment and surgery and possesses all of those characteristics. This is Episode 15 of the DiepCJourney podcast. Dr. Garza is a board certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio who practices at PRMA (Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates) and performs both surgical and non-surgical treatment for those affected by lymphedema. We discuss the value of finding a certified lymphedema therapist. You can search the LANA website for one in your area. Understanding the Lymphatic System When Considering Treatment and Surgery The function of the lymphatic system is to move excess fluid out of our bodies. It works in unison with the immune system. It is the mismanagement of fluid that causes lymphedema. Continue Reading →

Episode 11: Decorative and Restorative Tattoos for Breast Cancer Patients

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Terri

Eric Eye is our guest on Episode 11 discussing decorative and restorative tattoos for breast cancer patients on the DiepCJourney podcast. He is a trained visual artist who performs 3D nipple and areola tattoos for patients who have had mastectomy and breast reconstruction after breast cancer. His work can be found on his Instagram account as well as his Facebook page. He is located in Seattle, Washington but Eric has traveled to other locations to provide services for breast cancer patients. Bringing Art to Life in Decorative and Restorative Tattoos The story of how he transitioned from years of experience in tattooing to providing restorative tattoos for breast cancer patients is a touching one. What are restorative tattoos? Eric’s work includes beautiful and artistic drawings covering a mastectomy or breast reconstruction scar. This can be across the breast area or an abdominal scar from DIEP flap surgery. They are most Continue Reading →

Trusting your Body after Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Terri

I hear it so often from those affected by breast cancer or breast reconstruction. They experience weakness, loss of muscle mass, sense of balance, and overall strength. I know this feeling. It’s frustrating, feels like a true sense of loss, and sometimes even feels a bit hopeless as if you will never return to the person you were prior to treatment and surgery. I want to share my own experiences, provide hope and why trusting your body after breast cancer and breast reconstruction can be an important part of physical and mental recovery. Loss of Strength after Breast Cancer A breast cancer diagnosis is shocking for most. It is both physically and mentally challenging depleting the body and mind. I remember the absolute fatigue I felt from hearing about the diagnosis, crying, telling my family, and going to all the subsequent appointments following my first diagnosis. After I had two Continue Reading →