Category: DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

Why Should I Ask About Physical Therapy After Breast Surgery?

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I feel extremely fortunate my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon both recommended physical therapy for me after the breast surgeries they performed on me. My breast surgeon, Dr. Michele Ley, prescribed it for me about six weeks after she completed a double mastectomy due to my second occurrence of breast cancer. Dr. Chrysopoulo, my plastic surgeon, prescribed it for me after my DIEP flap breast reconstruction. I hear from many women who have not had the same physical therapy opportunity I did. So, I encourage them to ask their surgeons, “Why Should I Ask About Physical Therapy After Breast Surgery?” Physical Therapy after Mastectomy Surgery I began experiencing shoulder pain about three to four weeks after my double mastectomy. I went in for a follow up appointment to my breast surgeon around the same time. The shoulder pain occurred mainly when I was on my computer. This was during a Continue Reading →

A Breast Reconstruction Tattoo Completes a Patient Journey

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Connections made through the breast cancer community often become delightful friendships. So is the case with Sandra and me. We both had our DIEP flap breast reconstruction done in San Antonio at PRMA, Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates. Sandra is also a member of the Journey Facebook page. She volunteers her time when I make visits back to San Antonio for my Foundation work. I invited her to sit down and share her story. You can view the video in the blog of how a breast reconstruction tattoo completes a patient Journey. Sandra’s plastic surgeon informed her at her consult for her DIEP flap surgery that she would be losing her nipples. She felt comfortable with this decision for her best health and aesthetic outcomes knowing he would rebuild the nipples during the second phase of her breast reconstruction. The tattooing of the areola area could be done after healing from Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Wounds and Management

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I derive a great deal of information from the surgeons and patient members of the Journey Facebook group. The questions they ask are pertinent to the healing process as well as various aspects and the decision to have breast reconstruction. When I have an opportunity to visit our physician members, I schedule time to do videos to answer questions patient members are asking. Knowing how demanding the schedule of plastic surgeons can be, I am honored once again to sit with Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo of PRMA in San Antonio at the end of his long clinic day to talk about the topic of breast reconstruction wounds and management, dedication I am grateful for. Thanks Dr. C! Medical Comorbidities to Consider We begin our discussion with a patient inquiry about a medical comorbidity (condition) called Factor V Leiden. Dr. C clarifies this is a clotting problem not a wound healing issue. Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Patients Sharing Their Journeys

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A group of women joined each other for an evening of friendship and support. Sounds like great fun, doesn’t it? It went far deeper than that. Or perhaps I should say, it went far “DIEP-er” than that. Each of the women who gathered for the event were scheduled for or had DIEP flap breast reconstruction. They all belonged to the Facebook group, DiepCJourney, known simply as “The Journey” to many. These women were all breast reconstruction patients supporting each other and sharing their Journeys. Social Media Breast Reconstruction Group: The Journey Social media holds great value finding like-minded people you can connect with. But little compares to personal connections, meeting someone in person, sharing a hug, and lending special individual and emotional support. The group of women I met in San Antonio on a warm April evening shared stories they understood before they met in person. Most of us were Continue Reading →

Come with Me to my Breast Reconstruction Consult

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Yes, that is correct. I’m inviting you along to my breast reconstruction consult. Why? Because I want you to learn what I learned. This was not an easy day leading up to my DIEP flap plastic surgery consult in early October of 2014. I prepared months in advance. It was important for me to find a microsurgeon who was going to know what my expectations were from pre-surgical planning, understanding the surgery, aesthetic outcomes, and how I would be after having this intricate surgery to replace my breasts lost to breast cancer. The Morning of my Breast Reconstruction Consult I traveled for my breast reconstruction, so my husband and I stayed in a hotel. We were both fairly quiet the morning of my consult. He watched me prepare physically for the consult; hair, make up, nice outfit. I suppose it was my way of putting forth the message to my Continue Reading →

Patients Share Tips on Finding a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon

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I spent hours, days, and weeks searching for a plastic surgeon to perform my DIEP flap breast reconstruction. It was not an easy task. I learned a lot from three other patients, Whitney, Rene, and Tamara, who share with us their criterion and tips on finding a breast reconstruction surgeon to perform their DIEP flap surgery. Whitney’s Tips for Finding a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon She tells us she had time to look for a plastic surgeon because she chose to have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Whitney carries a gene mutation putting her at high risk to develop breast cancer. Watching her own mother pass from breast cancer when Whitney was in her early twenties was instrumental in her decision to have breast reconstruction, especially with two young children at home. The first decision was the type of surgery to have. She chose DIEP flap. It Continue Reading →

Undeniable Physical and Psychological Changes After Breast Reconstruction

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Facing the possibility of mastectomy is frightening for most. You have breast cancer or a genetic mutation putting you at high risk for developing breast cancer. The body parts that are front and center on your body are about to be removed. You are sitting in front of a plastic surgeon as the surgical process is described to you. You know there will be undeniable physical and psychological changes after breast reconstruction. How in the world do you begin to even process all of this? How Will I Feel Physically After Mastectomy? My breasts gave me a sense of balance I didn’t realize until I began to stumble over my own feet after my double mastectomy. I thought I was just recovering from side affects of anesthesiology. Walking through my house I would randomly trip like a baby taking its first steps. I felt clumsy and awkward. My breast surgeon Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Decorative and Restorative Tattoos

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Two patient advocates, both breast cancer survivors, walk into a tattoo parlor in downtown Seattle. Sounds like an intriguing story, right? It was. I had the honor to have patient advocate Kirstin Litz join me for an intense day of patient advocacy work in the great city of Seattle. Our day began with a cup of coffee for the road, of course. We arrived in the densely populated district of Capitol Hill early morning to visit Eric Eye. We were there to interview him about his work doing breast reconstruction decorative and restorative tattoos. I have never had a tattoo but after visiting Eric we talked about the possibilities of a decorative tattoo in my future. He asked me what I was thinking about. I told him I have deep Irish heritage and I love to dance. Van Morrison is one of my favorite musical artists. I explained to Eric Continue Reading →

National Doctor’s Day

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Celebrate National Doctor’s Day? I’m in. These folks deserve a day of honor. Why? Long days and sometimes into the night in hospital and clinic. Hours of paperwork after time spent with their patients. Calming the fears of their patients. After hours calls from concerned patients. Putting back together diseased, damaged body parts. Comforting family members concerned about loved ones. Continued study and refresher courses to maintain licenses, expand knowledge, and improve skills. The list is exhaustive. The profession is noble. The talent is admirable. A Personal Note of Gratitude to Doctors I want to share a personal note of gratitude. My professional life has always focused on education. I was accustomed to interaction was with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. My professional life took on a different role after a second breast cancer diagnosis, double mastectomy, and successful DIEP flap breast reconstruction. I felt it was important to educate Continue Reading →

DiepCJourney Celebrates a Four-Year Anniversary of Educating About Breast Reconstruction

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Four years ago, on March 17, 2015, an idea was launched. DiepCJourney blog began as a cathartic writing exercise, detailing my Journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer twice and the choice to undergo DIEPflap breast reconstruction. DiepCJourney soon transformed into a passion, a mission to educate others about my successful experience and what I continue to learn on this amazing Journey. I am grateful to celebrate the four-year anniversary of DiepCJourney, the blog that launched a Foundation to educate others about all their options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The Celtic symbol and backdrop for DiepCJourney was developed with a dear friend, Meagan. Both of us embrace our rich Irish heritage. We met several times at quaint coffee houses in early January of 2015 discussing the design, meaning, and an appropriate launch date for the blog. The sketch she drew of me was something I had to consider for Continue Reading →