Category: DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

Tips for Getting Through the Holidays During Breast Cancer

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I have written about this topic before but each year I seem to learn something new. I hear from other people about being diagnosed or having surgery toward the end of the year. This can throw an extra wrench into holiday plans since so many people celebrate a number of different holidays in December. I learn from them and share my tips for getting through the holidays during breast cancer. My Tips for Managing your Phone Time This Thanksgiving, I gave myself a gift. I called family and close friends in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and told them I was turning my phone off the entire day of Thanksgiving beginning at bedtime the night before. I did not turn it back on until the morning after. They had the ability to get a hold of me in an emergency. I wanted to make sure of that. It was Continue Reading →

Ways of Giving Back

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There are many ways to give back to nonprofit organizations. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, surgeon, individual or corporate entity, or know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, at DiepCFoundation we want to share ways of giving back to the community we serve. Donate Your Time or Share a Testimonial There is nothing more rewarding than standing beside a volunteer at an event we are part of. These are patients who have been through this surgery and know first hand what to say to those who attend these events. We are grateful and will continue to reach out to our volunteers at these events. Writing a Testimonial and sharing it on our social media accounts is so appreciated. You can write it anonymously or we are happy to use your name and tag you on social media. Patients write testimonials telling us that viewing our DiepC Foundation Continue Reading →

Episode 19: Efficient DIEP Flaps

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DIEP flaps are a type of breast reconstruction using a patient’s own tissue to reconstruct breasts after mastectomy for those affected by breast cancer. DIEP stands for deep inferior epigastric perforators. Epigastric refers to the abdominal area. The underlying tissue and perforators (blood vessels) are disconnected by the microsurgeon from the abdominal area and transplanted to the breast area to create soft, warm, tissue much like the breasts removed during mastectomy. We hope Episode 19: Efficient DIEP Flaps, has piqued your curiosity. Efficient DIEP Flaps Study To do an efficient DIEP flap requires years of training, skill, planning, and a team. My guest, Dr. Nicholas Haddock is one of the Breast Reconstruction Team at UT – Southwestern Department of Plastic Surgery in Dallas, TX. He works with Dr. Sumeet Teotia performing state of the art autologous breast reconstruction in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas. In our discussion we reference the PRS Global Continue Reading →

Acknowledging Those Who Give Their Time for Breast Reconstruction Patients

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We come to a season of reflection, giving, and gratitude. I want to take a moment to honor all those who give selflessly of their time helping me in my pursuit of educating and supporting those who are affected by breast cancer. Acknowledging those who give their time for breast reconstruction patients is important to me. Those World is Full of Giving People Talk on the street says we have been through a lot the past couple of years. ‘Tis true. I don’t think it is necessary to rehash the events or effect from all that has occurred and shaped our world since early 2020. News headlines inundate us changing our mood, focus, and daily living. And yet, through all of this I continue to witness a world full of giving people. In my corner of the world helping breast reconstruction patients, those giving people seem to come from every Continue Reading →

The Power of Education, Connections, and Giving

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I moved back to Seattle in late 2018 to be near family. The following year, in October of 2019 I met with a team at Microsoft for the first time to present my story as a patient advocate, nonprofit leader, and two-time breast cancer survivor. Each October since then, I speak to teams at Microsoft providing information and education on the topic of breast reconstruction during their Microsoft Give Day. Each year I do these presentations I am inspired by the power of education, connections, and giving. How is the Power of Education Spreading? I often discuss this with my life-long friend, Thomas, who so generously sets these meetings up for me each year along with his Microsoft colleagues. We know, according to statistic from The National Breast Cancer Foundation, that one in eight women in the United States alone will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The United States! Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Transitions and Changes

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This week marks the beginning of the autumn equinox when the sun shines directly on the equator and the northern and southern hemisphere get the same amount of sun rays. I live in the Northern hemisphere. The days grow shorter and the nights longer because the Earth begins to tilt away from the sun. Seasons bring changes. There are comparisons to draw with the arrival of fall and with breast reconstruction transitions and changes. Breast Reconstruction Changes in our Bodies Many anticipate the changes fall brings. I look forward to the chill in the air and the warm clothing in my closet waiting to be worn and layered to keep me warm. Just as the leaves change color from green to brilliant hues of orange, golds, and browns, so too our bodies change during breast reconstruction. Leaves transition and let go of the tree, falling gracefully on the ground during Continue Reading →

The Gifts We Know Mean so Much after Breast Reconstruction

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Each weekday morning, I wake up, fix coffee, and sit at the computer in my office. I open Facebook and read the comments on the DiepCjourney private page I started and admin. Questions are answered, members share resources, and it  feels like a warm place to start my morning. Recently, I posted this infographic asking members, “What would you add to this list”? These are the gifts we know mean so much after breast reconstruction. Insights for Gifts from the Heart after Breast Reconstruction Surgery These ideas are taken directly from the comments members of the Journey willingly shared. They showed extreme gratitude for those who gave their time and treasure to these ladies when they were recovering from surgery and undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Listened, listened, listened. Have space for all the feelings. The best gift I got from people was grace…grace for forgotten meetings, grace for bad Continue Reading →

The Intersection of Research and Decision for Breast Reconstruction

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One day your life is humming along as usual. Work, children, family, friends, school, house cleaning, errands, vacation, cooking, on and on. Then out of nowhere you hear the news that feels like a gut punch. “You have breast cancer.” Perhaps you get genetic test results back and you find out you have a genetic mutation putting you at high risk of getting breast cancer. You are thrust into a new role finding out all you can about your diagnosis. Will I be facing a mastectomy or choose a mastectomy for my treatment? When will the intersection of research and decision for breast reconstruction occur? The Research Process Why am I writing about this? I agonized over this part of my breast cancer diagnosis when I was told my best choice for my long-term survival was a double mastectomy. It was my second diagnosis and now in both breasts vs. Continue Reading →

Function and Management of Breast Reconstruction Drains

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The DiepCJourney Facebook group has members from all over the world. The purpose of the group is to nurture an ongoing learning community with people affected by breast cancer and those who serve breast cancer patients. A request was made to make a video about surgical drains. It is not a favorite part of recover but certainly necessary. I sat down with Dr. Randall Feingold of NYBRA, New York Breast and Reconstruction and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to discuss the function and management of breast reconstruction drains. Why Drains Are Placed at the Surgical Sites I start off the conversation by sharing my own experience with drains for my double mastectomy and DIEP flap. The general consensus from patients is that drains are not something that anyone likes. I feel when patients understand why they are being used, they become a bit more tolerable, especially knowing they are a short-term part Continue Reading →

Episode 5: A Young Breast Cancer Survivor Advocating for Survivorship

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Hil Moss is our guest on Season 2, Episode 5 of the DiepCJourney Podcast. A young breast cancer survivor (diagnosed at 28), Hil is an active patient advocate, mentor, and writer in the cancer community, and dedicates her time to raising awareness around the importance of early detection and longitudinal survivorship care. She is also an MBA/MPH Candidate at Yale University, with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in cancer care. She made the choice to leverage her own tissue to reconstruct her breasts having DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Hill shares her story from diagnosis, breast reconstruction, and through to her recovery. She shares her connection to the Breasties community and the advocacy work they share. Our call to action in Episode 5 with Hil, a young breast cancer survivor, is to begin doing breast self-exams at an early age. A breast self-exam for breast awareness helps you understand changes Continue Reading →