Category: Personal Stories

Celebrating Generosity: An Important Part of Nonprofit Work

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Change is the only constant. How many times have we heard that? In today’s fast-paced world nonprofit organizations must remain nimble when seeking support that includes volunteer and financial support to help run a nonprofit. And yet, it is often the constant supporters over time that make a nonprofit believe their impact is part of the greater community. Celebrating generosity is a very important part of nonprofit work. Giving Season in Nonprofit Work I am writing this blog in the middle of November. Thanksgiving holiday is in November. It is a time when families make the effort to be together and reflect on what they are grateful for and to reminisce about what makes them unique as a family unit. There is great diversity in family units, but it is in the gesture of gratitude that brings us together, no matter what that looks like. Similarly, as nonprofit leaders we Continue Reading →

Reflections as October and Breast Cancer Awareness 2024 Ends

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I have not written one blog this month. This has been the most intense October for me since opening DiepCJourney Foundation in 2016. I can’t say why for sure, but I am exhausted and thought it was time to share some reflections as October and Breast Cancer Awareness 2024 Ends. Some Losses and Some Gains Reflecting this October Has anyone every said, start with the hard part first then finish with the easy stuff? That’s how I’m going to tackle this. The hard part is not that hard, mostly an annoyance. If you are a patient advocate reading this, it may resonate with you. I was an invited speaker at a conference. We were asked to record our presentation and listen to the other speakers for the recorded Q & A session. I worked diligently to prepare my slides and presentation. The first thing I said in my opening remark Continue Reading →

The Emotional Connection of a Few Drops of Ink

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Ink has long been used to draw, write, create, and document words and pictures. Since ancient times ink has been developed for different purposes. Some inks throughout history are made to be permanent while others, especially today, are disposable, like the ink used in writing tools in distinct types of pens. Consideration for the material the ink is placed upon became a science to create lasting historical documents. What if the “material” the ink is placed on is your skin? I want to share with you the emotional connection of a few drops of ink. Ink Used in Tattoos Let’s talk about the canvas, the material I mentioned, your skin. One of the first tattoos discovered on a human body date back to a mummy found in the Alps. Among the many uses of ink in tattoos, history tells us they were used to mark criminals, recognize a tribe of Continue Reading →

Art Series by Beth Gainer

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The creative work of Beth Gainer is featured in this summary of the DiepCFoundation educational channel interview we did together. I invited Beth to put together a presentation for the interview to share slides featuring some of the art that she hopes to have in a public space or gallery someday. The title is so inspiring and fitting: Breast Cancer, Female and Young – Art Series by Beth Gainer. Meet Beth Gainer Beth is a breast cancer survivor, a mother, an English professor, writer, book author, and an artist. Her creative writing and artwork speak to so many of us and has been a healing mechanism in her own Journey. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her thirties and something she found in a self-exam. A mammogram and doctors exams had missed it. What Beth noticed upon self-exam was a slight dimpling. When she brought it to the attention Continue Reading →

Sunflowers and a Tribute to Passion and Purpose

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Each morning when I wake up, I enjoy coffee my husband makes. He’s pretty sure he is THE coffee aficionado in our home. A retired engineer, he carefully crafts the delicious cup of roasted beans I enjoy upon waking up. I open the kitchen window blinds and look out at our garden. He has been planting sunflowers in a spot that frames that window because he knows how much I enjoy looking at them. During the dog days of summer, I offer you my thoughts on sunflowers and a tribute to passion and purpose. Sunflowers and Nature’s Beauty I was born and raised in Kansas. The state flower is the sunflower. This quote is from the Kansas Magazine: A cultural symbol throughout the ages – of faith, longevity, healing, happiness and good luck… The sunflowers in our garden rise to as tall as nine feet, reaching to the sun for Continue Reading →

A Retirement Tribute to Deanna Attai: This Batch is for You!

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Deanna J. Attai, MD announced her retirement this week on what else other than social media? I suspect for many, like me, it feels like a bittersweet announcement. My message to her comes from my experience as a patient advocate and organic gardener. Deanna has lived to work most of her professional life. Now I know she can engage fully in working to live. This is a retirement tribute to Deanna Attai. Dr. Attai, this batch is for you! Dr. Attai, the Breast Surgeon My first recollection of Dr. Attai is through social media. The hashtag #BCSM (breast cancer social media) was created by her, Alicia Staley, and the late Jody Schoger. The first #BCSM tweet chat occurred on July 4, 2011. Over the past thirteen years, a great deal has changed in social media. However, the community created by one hashtag, #BCSM changed the engagement between breast cancer patients Continue Reading →

A Breast Cancer Patient Intent on Finding Access to Care

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Access to medical care for those affected by breast cancer is crucial, and often life transformative. This is a personal story of a breast cancer patient intent on finding access to care. She is a woman of strength and stopped at nothing to find the best care available for her during her personal journey from diagnosis to recovery from DIEP flap breast reconstructive surgery. I am pleased to offer this summary of the DiepCJourney podcast. Dana’s Diagnosis and Breast Cancer Treatment Dana Brown, PhD., is a 54-year-old wife, mother, and educator. She has been married to her best friend and soulmate for 35 years and they have an amazing son who is twenty-six. Recently, after 30 years in education, after much consideration with her husband, Dana decided to retire. This decision was made based on the reason she is sharing her story with you on the podcast about how she Continue Reading →

Father’s Day 2024 with Fond Memories and Love

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When I think of the stories others have told me about their dads it varies greatly. This Father’s Day I look back at some of the great influencers, dads I have known in my life. Not everyone has fond memories of their dad, but this is a day set aside to honor those who are privileged enough to call themselves dad and will celebrate Father’s Day 2024 with fond memories and love. My Dad It is only fitting that I begin with a tribute to my own father who sadly is no longer with us. Dad had four daughters. He anguished at the loss of my older sister, Mary, who lived a short, brief time after birth. In those days, bonding with a lost child in hospital was not something practiced yet. They quickly whisked the baby away from my mom who carried Mary full term only to be lost Continue Reading →

A Patient Story: Transitioning from Implants to DIEP Flap

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Whether you have had a breast cancer diagnosis, have a genetic mutation placing you at high risk of getting breast cancer, have had or are facing a mastectomy due to either of these situations you will want to listen to this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast, A Patient Story: Transitioning from Implants to DIEP Flap. The time has come to share a personal story of a woman I interviewed twice about her decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy and implant reconstruction. This is the continuation of her Journey. She came to a decision to exchange the implants she never quite felt comfortable in and transition to DIEP flap breast reconstruction and use her own tissue this time around. An Unexpected DIEP Flap Reunion with a Friend Margaret Tueller Proffitt has a delightful Instagram account and describes herself as a lover of books, learning and travel. She is a Mom to four, Continue Reading →

Can the Emotional Toll of Breast Cancer be Measured?

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Measured how you might ask. In number of years, you survived? Perhaps it is the impact of the treatment and how you are called to endure discomfort, pain, and loss you did not know you would experience? Measured by the times you survived breast cancer? Can the emotional toll of breast cancer be measured? 2002: The Emotional Toll I had breast cancer in 2002 for the first time. The simple description: left breast lobular carcinoma with no lymph node involvement. The emotional toll kicked in for me on three strong fronts: There is no way to describe the moment you hear the words, “You have breast cancer,” or for that matter any kind of cancer. Telling your immediate family and beginning phones calls to extended family and friends caused me to cry endlessly. I lost weight without even trying. Sitting in an oncology office in front of a stranger listening Continue Reading →