Tag: Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day

What is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day?

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Each year in October, a day is set aside to provide education to women and men about what options are available for breast reconstruction. Medical practices, plastic surgeons, and organization across the country host various events inviting those who need resources and information about breast reconstruction. Attendees to BRA Day events include those affected by breast cancer. Let’s take a closer look at topics covered and answer the question of what Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day is and the information it provides. Options for Breast Reconstruction Autologous breast reconstruction: Using the patient’s own tissue to reconstruction the breast. Implant-based reconstruction: Using an implant filled with silicon or gel to recreate the breast. Autologous tissue and implant combined I had autologous, DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The lower tummy tissue is disconnected along with the underlying blood vessels (deep inferior epigastric perforators). It is then reconnected to the breast area to create soft Continue Reading →

Reflecting on the Pink of October and Breast Cancer

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October and the color pink have been symbolic of breast cancer for many years. It is a color both embraced for its meaning and at the same time despised by what many consider over use and misuse. I understand since I have survived breast cancer twice myself. This year brings me to a personal point of reflection on the pink of October and breast cancer. It has been one of the most rigorous months I’ve experienced in quite some time; mixed with emotions of gratitude, anticipation, new friendships, farewells, sadness, and letting go. The Shared Decision Making Panel at #PSTM18 It began with one of the proudest moments of my professional career as I sat on a panel with my breast reconstruction surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, a dear friend and patient advocate colleague, Kirstin Litz, and a new friend Dr. Hani Sbitany speaking about the importance of shared decision making Continue Reading →

#IAmTheFaceOfBreastReconstruction

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#IAmTheFaceOfBreastReconstruction #IAmTheFaceOfBreastReconstruction.  October 21, 2015 is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day 2015 in the United States. I have been an advocate and educator for all choices of Breast Reconstruction for just over a year since being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in April of 2014. I knew I was going to be faced with a double mastectomy, but, I was informed, I was educated the day I was told I had to have a mastectomy. I was told about my options for breast reconstruction by my breast surgeon. I was fortunate. This year I learned that many women are not given that information and are not as fortunate. They are not given a referral to a plastic surgeon at the time of diagnosis. But, I also found a community of women who work tirelessly to educate and inform others about what they have gone through, what choices they Continue Reading →

October & Pink

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October is the month that you can find pink in a vast array of merchandise in every imaginable form. You find it in retail stores, on websites, the shoes of NFL football players, pink M & M’s, pink, pink and more pink. Some of the very products that slap the pink ribbon on their merchandise contain chemicals known to increase the risk and occurrence of breast cancer.  A bit unsettling, right? October vocabulary Pinktober, Pinkaholic, Pink outs, Think Pink. I think breast cancer patients who have had it with the whole pink thing might even come up with a new slogan: Pink Stinks! Don’t Forget the Guys and Be True to Blue! We all read stories about what having breast cancer does to the men and women who are diagnosed. Yes, men! Don’t forget to wear blue for the guys! You can read this blog summary of a podcast I Continue Reading →