National Cancer Survivor Day is a movement in the fight against cancer. How, might you ask, does that fit into my wheelhouse of educating about breast reconstruction options after mastectomy? Yes, mastectomy! And there is your answer. Every person I engage with on social media, each patient I talk to about planning a course of action to reconstruct their breasts, the research and education I seek to understand and share revolves around those who have had or will be having a mastectomy because of breast cancer or a high likelihood of getting it due to a BRCA gene mutation. My engagement through my Foundation work involves those individuals who have chosen the profession of plastic surgery, oncology, radiology, and breast surgery to serve those individuals affected by breast cancer. Most importantly, is involves the community of survivors.
How did this all happen for me and where has it evolved over the past few years? A second diagnosis of breast cancer charted this unsuspecting course for me. I had a double mastectomy in May of 2014. I spent seven months completing scans, tests, and the psychological devastation that I personally experienced living without my breasts.
I began my breast reconstruction journey on December 1, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas, after traveling 800 miles from my home in Arizona to have DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo was my surgeon. He rebuilt my breasts after a series of three surgeries that used my own tissue, fat, and blood vessel transferred from my tummy area to my chest to create my new soft, warm, breasts.
I had no idea what the combined power of social media and my story could do to assist others going through breast cancer. During my recovery from my first surgery I began writing my story in a blog. I shared it through various social media venues and it went global. Why? Community! The individuals I surround myself with are not only passionate about their work but supportive in spreading the word about the impact of breast cancer.
The past few years for me have been rallying that broader group of individuals who are seeking to understand the impact of this disease through a focused mission of moving beyond cancer through breast reconstruction. You can only be as strong as those you surround yourself with like an unbreakable chain, a tour de force if you will, a like-minded community seeking to understand, cope, educate and influence others with positive collaboration to find a cure and move beyond a disease that disfigures and amputates body parts that define us as physical human beings.
National Cancer Survivor Day is a Community
This community of patients and professionals establishes respect, trust, compassion and above all hope to fight a disease that knows no borders, gender, or cultural distinction. National Cancer Survivor Day is an opportunity for us to continue to raise our community voices with hope!
National Cancer Survivor Day is not just for breast cancer survivors. It is for all those who have been challenged by the myriad of consequences that follow any cancer diagnosis. They are artists, writers, leaders, athletes, business owners, physicians, parents, children. The list goes on.
Today, and every day, I salute those who serve cancer survivors and I salute those who have survived cancer, no matter what your diagnosis was. We shed tears, experience gripping fear of recurrence, survive and recover from surgery, sometimes multiple surgeries, have latent effects from treatment. But we also laugh, enjoy our friends, embrace life, conquer new challenges, hug our children and grandchildren, love passionately and dance fiercely.
Find a moment today and every day to celebrate being a survivor!
