Tag: breast cancer

Episode 12: Patient Advocacy and Health Disparities

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Roberta Albany is a formidable breast cancer patient advocate and spokesperson for health disparities. Her work with Living Beyond Breast Cancer and in her own community at Cancer in the Know has gained her great respect and why I am excited to interview this friend and colleague in the breast cancer space for Episode 12: Patient Advocacy and Health Disparities for the DiepCJourney Podcast.  The Making of a Patient Advocate Roberta did not set out to be a spokesperson and patient advocate for the breast cancer community. Her diagnosis defined her role and lead her to this work. She describes her experience with the diagnosis she received in October of 2013. Bobbi found a lump while training for a half marathon with her running group, Black Girls Run. She could not remember if she had done her monthly self-breast exam. She recalls her breast had been bothering her, especially the left side. Upon doing her Continue Reading →

Cancer Survivor’s Day: Thoughts from Personal Journeys

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Days on the calendar reminding us of what we love, embrace, are actively involved in, and remind us that these commemorative days fill us with emotions, good and bad. There are holidays that have been on the calendar throughout history. Social media has caused new and interesting ones celebrating food, fun, and other trivial items uniting those who join in. Cancer Survivor’s Day, from my research, began in 1988. What does it mean to those who have survived? I decided to listen to those in my community and share thoughts on Cancer Survivor’s Day and some thoughts from personal Journeys. DiepCJourney: Thoughts on Cancer Survivor’s Day I began the closed Facebook group, DiepCJourney: Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy in May of 2015 after my successful DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Being a two-time breast cancer survivor impacts my life daily. I decided support, finding resources, providing education for others would be my Continue Reading →

A Mother’s Day Tribute

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When I think of all the mothers who are involved with those having DIEP flap breast reconstruction or any kind of breast surgery, it warms my heart. There are those Moms who are no longer with us who are so deeply rooted to their daughters they have inspired them to make this tough choice when affected by breast cancer. They are worthy of a Mother’s Day tribute. Mothers Having Breast Reconstruction Your arms are used for hugging, wiping tears, working, cleaning, and caring. It may be tender moments, angry moments, gross and disgusting moments but you chose this title and roll with the punches. For Moms who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or having surgery to reduce their risk of getting breast cancer you are thrown into a world you never intended to be in. You wonder how you will even tell your children you may have to lose Continue Reading →

Episode 8: ERAS Protocol in Breast Reconstruction

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Are fear of pain and time of recovery after breast reconstruction surgery some of your biggest concerns? If so, Episode 8: ERAS Protocol in Breast Reconstruction, with Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo will give you information about ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) protocol many large volume centers are now using for DIEP flap and other types of breast reconstruction. Dr. C is the president of  PRMA in San Antonio and the developer of the Breast Advocate app. Both of these sites have more information about ERAS protocol as well as the DiepCJourney blog and  DiepC Foundation YouTube channel.  Why Use ERAS? There is a shared interest Dr. C and I share in having this conversation. He states it very clearly at the beginning of the podcast. The number one beneficiary is patient experience and patient outcomes. There are substantial data and evidence-based studies about results of using ERAS and the benefits it offers patients. In fact, follow the directions below and Continue Reading →

What Patients Can Teach You About Breast Cancer PTSD

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I wrote a blog on this topic regarding my own experience with PTSD after a breast cancer diagnosis. In fact, it was after my second breast cancer diagnosis. There are times when blogs are inspired in ways I did not see coming. After sharing it in my closed Facebook group my heart dropped reading the comments from others about their experience. I was amazed at what patients can teach you about breast cancer PTSD. I asked them how they deal with PTSD after breast cancer. They provided honest answers, some heart wrenching and some with resources to share within the group. Here is some what some patients shared about their own struggles. Sleep Deprivation and PTSD after Breast Cancer Sleep seemed to be illusive to some. They reported crying all day exhausting themselves into a nap. But then they did not sleep at night. This became a vicious cycle. One Continue Reading →

Episode 4: Coordinated Care in Breast Cancer

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Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer or at high risk of getting breast cancer due to a genetic mutation? Do you remember the day you heard those words and got the news? How many healthcare providers did you have on your team? In Episode 4 we discuss the importance of coordinated care in breast cancer. My guest is an educator, microsurgeon and Director for MedStar Plastic and Reconstruction surgery and Academic Chair for the Department of Plastic Surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, Dr. David H. Song. He chairs the BC3 Conference in Washington, D. C. The purpose of the conference as stated from the website: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. Diagnosis and treatments are part of the practice of a wide number of medical specialists and there are national initiatives calling for a multidisciplinary approach to the care of breast cancer patients. The multiple Continue Reading →

Episode 3: Breast Reconstruction and Breast Sensation

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In Episode 3 of the DiepCJourney podcast I discuss breast reconstruction and breast sensation with two surgeons who have performed this procedure together in their practice. Dr. Anne Peled and Dr. Ziv Peled work in tandem in the operating room to preserve and restore sensation to the breast for those affected by breast cancer. The paper published by Dr. Anne and Ziv Peled can be found in the PRS Global Open under the title, Nerve Preservation and Allografting for Sensory Innervation Following Immediate Implant Breast Reconstruction PRS Global Open Dr. Anne Peled, who was diagnosed with breast cancer herself, was torn about what surgical option to choose for her own diagnosis; a lumpectomy, oncoplastic surgery or mastectomy. She was aware, due to standard training of breast surgeons, a mastectomy would mean the likelihood of losing sensation to her breasts. Most patients who undergo mastectomy are left numb and as she Continue Reading →

Sexual Health after Breast surgery and Breast Cancer Treatment

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The words, “You have breast cancer” can be very difficult to come to terms with for women and men. Added to this and what follows is the aftermath from treatment, surgeries, and loss of body parts. Our bodies are physiologically designed for sex with nerves to sexual organs in both male and female bodies. Sex is often associated with an emotional experience for many. For those affected by breast cancer living with scars, loss of body parts, debilitating changes to sexual function, self-image, fatigue, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, to name a few, changes in sexual health after breast surgery and breast cancer treatment are often left to the patient to grapple with. Our guest, Liz O’Riordan, is a breast surgeon, breast cancer survivor, and author who discusses and writes about the topic of sexual health. We invited her for an interview. Liz tells us her medical background and shares Continue Reading →

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 →

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 →