Category: Emotional Recovery

Your spouse/partner; telling your children; telling your parents and siblings; reaching out to friends; friends who latch on for the drams of it all; when to ask for help; how to be grateful for help

The Psycho-social and Psycho-sexual Benefits of Breast Reconstruction

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The Psycho-social and Psycho-sexual Benefits of Breast Reconstruction The psycho-social and psycho-sexual benefits of breast reconstruction have been studied in a number of peer reviewed articles.  Sharing evidence based research is a key component to my advocacy work.  Studies have been done and data has been collected from patients who have had reconstruction to assess the impact and outcome of such a complex surgery.  These studies validate the information I share. A Personal Account of the Benefits I did a lot of research before my DIEP flap reconstruction but not specifically about the psycho-social or psycho-sexual benefits.  This blog for me, is truly a personal account of what impact my own reconstruction had on my self-image and femininity.  I am not yet comfortable dipping my toes in the water of revealing the impact on my sexual well being as it is simply too personal a topic for me to pen Continue Reading →

Shared Decision Making

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Shared Decision Making ~ Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy March has been designated Shared Decision Making month, #SDMmonth, by a group I started following on social media, Informed Medical Decisions Foundation.  I participated recently in one of their online webinars on the topic.  I often tweet about shared decision making and in the practice of plastic surgery, and in particular breast reconstruction after mastectomy; I embrace the value of this practice. Two of the physicians that I have engaged with in the practice of shared decision making are my breast surgeon who performed my mastectomy and my micro-surgeon who performed my breast reconstruction.  They both embody the very definition of the phrase as defined here by the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation. Shared decision making (SDM) is a collaborative process that allows patients and their providers to make health care decisions together, taking into account the best scientific evidence available, as well as Continue Reading →

Baldness During Breast Cancer & Chemo

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Baldness During Breast Cancer & Chemo Baldness during Breast Cancer & Chemo is not an easy side affect for most women. You could walk around for weeks, months without anyone knowing you have breast cancer unless… wait for it… you’re on CHEMO, especially the type causing hair loss!!! The sight of a women who is bald is a forgone conclusion and truly screams, “I’m on chemo and have cancer!” It’s just not an easy pill to swallow, excuse the tongue in cheek. Many forms of chemo cause hair loss in women. It did for me and the brave women who volunteered to use their photos to be in this blog post. They all willingly shared their pictures for a reason. We did it to support another woman who is going through chemo as I write this blog. But, whether you have been through chemo, are currently going through chemo, or Continue Reading →

DIEP flap Recovery With Young Children at Home

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Recovery from DIEP flap breast reconstruction with young children at home is a worrisome consideration. Women are, by nature, care givers. A mother’s thoughts focus on what their physical ability will be after surgery and how they will be able to care for their children once  home and recovering. A mother leaves the house to go to reconstructive surgery and her children see her in a healthy, active state. When she returns home from surgery she will physically be weaker, perhaps a bit hunched over from the abdominal incision and will be very cautious about having children sit on her lap, lift them, hug them or snuggle with them like she used to before surgery. Moms are active and engaged with young children, bending, stooping, lifting and twisting; all activities that must be adjusted after DIEP flap surgery. I have taught young children for many years and know that speaking Continue Reading →

One Year Post DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction

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One Year Post DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction I am now one year post DIEP flap breast reconstruction. I was finalizing my surgical prep exactly one year ago today as I write this blog. My surgery was the morning of December 1, 2014.  So how am I doing now? How does my body feel? Do I have any regrets? Would I suggest having DIEP flap surgery to other women? Was I truly able to “just get on with it”? I’m doing just splendidly! I honestly believe I’m doing quite well, in fact splendidly, and enjoying many benefits from having DIEP flap surgery after a second breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy. I want the reader to know so you have hope. I opened my social media accounts today before I began writing this blog post. I read a statement from a woman who was just going in for her DIEP flap Continue Reading →

When Tragedy brings out the #StrengthOfHumankind

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When Tragedy brings out the #StrengthOfHumankind Today is a day when we see that tragedy unquestionably brings out the#StrengthOfHumankind. The symbolism, pictures, music and thoughts on Social Media from around the globe are collectively trying to decompress, make sense of, and  reach out to those who have suffered so needlessly after the tragic events that took place in Paris on Friday, November 13th, 2015. We know that because one person lost a life or perhaps is maimed and scarred physically and emotionally for the rest of their days that it causes a caustic ripple and vortex of sadness and confusion. A family member injured or killed affects other members of the family; a sister, a husband, a wife, a child, a community…the world! Tragedy and chaos does bring sadness, grief, and confusion but it also brings out a part of us that is the best of humankind; a hand reaching Continue Reading →

Fears of Breast Cancer Recurrence

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Fears of Breast Cancer Recurrence Fears of breast cancer recurrence are palpable for anyone who has been diagnosed with this disease we have yet to find a cure for.  We each handle the fear differently. I had a recurrence.  I’d like to share my own experience, how I faced those fears, and how I dealt with them. As an educator for many years, I have seen the differences in personalities both in students and parents when it comes to handling what is seemingly the simplest of fears. What is catastrophic to one is barely a blip on the radar to another. There are those in life who are simply more fragile than others.  Differences in dealing with this fear of recurrence must not be judged or become fodder for accusations when we don’t always appreciate the circumstances behind. “How Do You Always Stay Positive?” Friends, relatives and family who have so Continue Reading →

Friendships through Breast Reconstruction

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Friendships through Breast Reconstruction The value of friendships through Breast Reconstruction is beyond measure. The women that I have met in person or on-line through social media skip straight to, “I feel like I’ve known you a lifetime” mode. Polite introductions are left out and the topics steer straight to the matter at hand: Tell me your story! Where are you at in your process? How are you doing? When is your surgery? How are you feeling? You look amazing! There are options and choices for breast reconstruction. That is part of the discussion among “breast friends”. The real thought provoking conversations start when these questions are raised: How did you find your plastic surgeon? Was it worth it to travel for your reconstruction? Did you have pain? What about the scars? I’m afraid of what I’ll look like. How long do you think it will be before I can Continue Reading →

Parallels between Fly Fishing and Breast Reconstruction

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Do fly fishing and breast reconstruction have anything in common? Are there parallels between fly fishing and breast reconstruction? Let’s explore some facts and then I’ll tell you about my own personal experience at the Casting for Recovery event I attended. First of all a bit of history about the program directly from their website: Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher. Casting for Recovery’s innovative program focuses on breast cancer survivor-ship and improving quality of life, and has garnered endorsements from medical and psycho-social experts. Awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1998, Casting for Recovery has inspired international efforts in Canada, UK/Ireland and New Zealand.  To date, Casting for Recovery has conducted more than 500 retreats, serving nearly 7,000 women nationwide.  In 2014, we held 42 retreats in 36 states, serving 600 women. I am going to take the very Continue Reading →

Traveling with Prosthesis

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Traveling with Prosthesis Traveling with prosthesis of any kind through TSA involves preparation and concerns. I promised a follow-up blog after my post entitled, My Boobs in a Box. There is both a light-hearted side to this story and one that still raises the hairs on my neck when I recall the details of a particular day at the airport. Let’s start with the funny stuff. Altitude and Silicone Inserts for Breast Prosthesis I was told when I picked up my breast prosthesis, the silicone implants I chose could potentially exhibit some odd behaviors when I was at altitude on a flight. I experienced those odd altitude behaviors in my prosthesis twice; once on a flight and the other time when I was visiting the Grand Canyon. The first time I flew with my prosthetic bra I felt the effects of the altitude after we began climbing. I could feel Continue Reading →