Breast Reconstruction and Lessons Learned from 2020

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We have come to the end of a historic year, the year of poignant moments far too many to mention. There are stories to tell and a whole lot of reflection to do this year from patients and physicians. In my corner of the universe, I will reflect on breast reconstruction and lessons learned from 2020. Breast cancer, for many, brings a sense of complete loss of control, feelings of helplessness, and something you have little control over. Sound familiar to the events of 2020? There is a lot to understand about the disease of breast cancer, how it challenges scientist spending their lifetime finding a cure, and as we close out 2020, some uplifting news about a new clinical trial for a vaccine focusing on a certain type of breast cancer. A lesson we learned from 2020 and one we marveled at, scientist putting into practice the methodology they Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction: A Reflection of my Journey

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Significant birthdays deserve to be celebrated with meaningful moments. This was one of those birthdays for me, a side road but very much a part of my Journey. I knew it was time to do  something that had been on my radar even before I heard those four frightening words for the second time, “You have breast cancer”. This story is about my breast reconstruction, a reflection of my Journey. Late in 2013 I decided to register for a M.Ed. program in Teacher Leadership. I shared the news with my husband knowing it would jump start his clock. So, I looked at him and said, “When I finish, I’m going to get a shamrock tattoo on my ass.” Van Morrison is one of our favorite musical artists, an Irish storyteller and musician. Someone once asked him during an interview what his favorite kind of music is. He replied, “Anything that Continue Reading →

Curious How to Set up a Birthday Fundraiser?

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Each year as December rolls around and I celebrate another trip around the sun, I am reminding of the many blessings bestowed on me. I witness a great deal of generosity during the holidays and toward the end of the year during giving season. There are simple ways to help organizations and I would like to share one easy example. Are you curious how to set up a birthday fundraiser? Easy Steps for Fundraising Step One: Log into your Facebook page. Step Two: In the top search bar, type in the words, “Fundraisers”. Step Three: Click the “>” arrow to go to this page: Step Four: Click on the blue bar that says, “Select Nonprofit”. Step Five: In the search engine on Facebook, type in the name of a nonprofit of your choice you would like to support and click on the nonprofit with the photo of their logo. Last Continue Reading →

Choices: Breast Reconstruction or No Reconstruction after Mastectomy

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Women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer are generally seen by a team of healthcare providers who treat this specific group of patients. It may include a radiologist, breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, plastic surgeon, or microsurgeon. The patient’s healthcare team may also include a combination of one or more of these specialties. Kim Bowles and I believe it is these physicians who should inform patients newly diagnosed about the surgical choices for breast reconstruction or no reconstruction after mastectomy. Kim and I met on social media.  Although we have never met in person, we have spoken often on the phone and via messages on social media. We are both breast cancer survivors who had to make a choice for breast surgery when a mastectomy was the best oncologic treatment for our respective breast cancers. What we strongly believe in is choice. Kim states,  We are in a position Continue Reading →

Health Literacy Impact and What are we Doing to Improve It?

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Coauthored by Terri Coutee and Minas Chrysopoulo, MD 2020 has been a disruptive year in health care. We are learning a great deal from the avalanche of stresses put upon our health care during the global pandemic. One thing remains a constant and important cog in the wheel, the impact and importance of health literacy. I had an opportunity to engage in conversation recently with Gareth Presch and Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, founder of – Toliman Health. Let’s look at the key elements. Access to information Understanding Information Using the Information These three basic components are what patients actively engage in to make the appropriate decisions for their health. Although looking at it on paper this seems simple enough, the act of engaging in health literacy becomes far more complex for a patient diagnosed with a any condition. It is the process patients must understand and actively take part in. Often Continue Reading →

Ethical Responsibility of the Breast Cancer Story

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Have you ever been asked to share the personal story about your diagnosis of breast cancer? I have plenty of times and do not mind doing it but … I always want to know why and what the purpose of telling it is. Industry leaders pay attention! Please do not tell a story of a survivor to tug at the heart strings or grab the attention of the audience. It happens and I feel strongly about speaking up about the ethical responsibility of the breast cancer story. Breast cancer survivors often feel they have been sucked into a drama in life they did not want to be a part of. It feels like going to a bad movie you want to get up and walk out of even when you paid the money to get in. There are emotions, many tangled emotions involving more than just the survivor. Well meaning Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Education and the Circle of Giving

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Wednesday of this past week, October 21, 2002, was BRADay2020. BRADay is a daily event for me, providing education and resources to empower women and men with information to make an informed decision about options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. For the second year in a row, I was graciously invited by Microsoft to make a presentation about my personal Journey for their Microsoft Gives campaign but more importantly to educate . I left there with a full heart. This is what happened after my presentation on breast reconstruction education and the circle of giving. The presentation was conducted using the Microsoft Teams program. Since I have been using ZOOM to record videos for the Foundation, this was a new platform for me. Thomas set up a one on one meeting with me before the formal presentation to walk me through the ins and outs of Microsoft Teams. He made Continue Reading →

DiepCJourney: What’s in the Name?

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Breast reconstruction awareness day, #BRADay2020 is this Wednesday, October 21st. I have cordially been invited to make a presentation at Microsoft this week to educate the attendees on options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. I was asked by a dear friend, Thomas, a Microsoft employee, what the meaning was behind all of the DIEPC platform I began to build in January of 2015. So, I will begin by telling you about DiepCJourney: What’s in the name? After a second breast cancer diagnosis, I chose to have DIEP flap breast reconstruction after a double mastectomy in May of 2014. When I returned from my surgery, I began to write about it for more of a cathartic experience. I then discovered less than 25% of women and men are aware or told about their options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. I began to think about how I could educate others about options, Continue Reading →

Breast Reconstruction Results, Should we Compare Photos?

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Breast reconstruction results, should we compare photos? This is a perplexing question in the world of plastic surgery for those affected by breast cancer. However, I see this question asked several times a week. I want to share my thoughts and why I feel it continues to be a topic I think breast cancer patients should give careful consideration to. When I lost my breast to breast cancer and began searching for a microsurgeon to perform my DIEP flap, I used their public website as a resource. It was full of information I needed to prepare for and understand the surgery I was about to have, DIEP flap, using my own tissue to rebuild my breasts. Seven months before my DIEP flap breast reconstruction, I had a skin sparing, nipple sparing mastectomy after a second breast cancer diagnosis. Those seven months were psychologically difficult for me. Twelve years previous to Continue Reading →

Wonder and Happiness: Pregnancy Post-DIEP – Part 2

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Emily is one of over 5,700 global members of the DiepCJourney Facebook group. I am honored to share her story of wonder and happiness: pregnancy post-DIEP – Part 2. More than a year later, I am finally prepared to reflect on the full experience of having a child after DIEP flap reconstruction. To recap, I am BRCA1+ and had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction in June 2018 at the age of 36 and phase 2 corrective surgery with fat grafting in October 2018. I became pregnant with my 2nd child in April 2019 which left me wondering. At 38, after a full-term pregnancy with no complications, I was induced and delivered a healthy 7-pound 4-ounce baby girl on December 18, 2019, exactly one week after her sister’s 9th birthday. I wondered whether pregnancy would mess up my surgeon’s beautiful work. I am happy to report to all of Continue Reading →