My Nonprofit Reviews

I was diagnosed with DCIS in the left breast in March of 2021. Just when life felt like it was getting back on track after the big COVID shut down, this bomb was dropped on me. No one in my immediate family had been diagnosed before, and most of the older women were not so great on getting mammograms regularly. And here I get diagnosed, the year I hit the big 5-0, got my last kid getting married and about to be a true empty nester with my hubby. Being from a science focused background, I craved the knowledge, the data, as much as possible. I wanted to know the good, the bad, and the ugly to face this head on. What were my options? When could I get to an oncologist? How many biopsies, mammograms, and MRI's would it take to get the full understanding of what I was facing? The oncology breast surgeon I was referred to was very adamant that a lumpectomy would be the right choice for me along with 12 weeks of radiation after. I was not so sure. With a history of heart disease in my family, and my own battle with high blood pressure, I was worried about radiation on the left side near my heart. Despite the statistics quoted and advancements in technology, I started leaning toward a mastectomy, remove the offending cancer and be done with it, move on. As I started researching this and talking with other women in my family, I found out that my Cousin's wife had a preventative mastectomy since she is a gene carrier with a high rate of breast cancer in her family line. She recommended I look into DIEP Flap procedures and recommended the Diep C Foundation Facebook page, which helped get information to women like me who were searching for a path, a decision. I joined the page in April, one month post diagnosis, and I felt that the information I now had at hand was 10-fold what I had been provided by my surgeon. I had read all the materials the doctor had given me, and yes, DIEP was mentioned as a reconstructive procedure. But when my surgeon recommended a plastic surgeon, that's when I found out the huge differences on material given versus information shared from this awesome Facebook group. When I saw that plastic surgeon, I was prepared. I knew all the surgery options for reconstruction and knew I did NOT want implants. In our consultation, I was advised that I did not have enough tissue for DIEP, maybe enough for SGAP, but would most likely get best results from implants. In short, this doctor was not a Microsurgeon and was not capable of performing DIEP, only SGAP and implants. I left that appointment and immediately started making calls to the 2 big DIEP outfits referenced on DIEP C Foundation, I also took time out to search the Facebook group for my home state of Oklahoma. It was there that I found Dr. Masters and Dr. Habash, with good feedback from patients, who were partnered with Integris out of Oklahoma City. An hour later, I had 2 other appointments set to meet with other doctors (both microsurgeons), one virtual and one in person in Oklahoma City. After meeting Dr. Habash in OKC, and an initial consultation, I knew DIEP would be the route I would take and Habash would be my doctor. I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction in early June, only 2 months post diagnosis. I chose a bilateral to assure the lowest stats for breast cancer, and upon pathology results, Atypical lobular cells were found in the healthy right breast, confirming this was the right choice for me. Recovery from surgery was not easy, but I had a good understanding of what to expect, when to worry and knew that I could count on the Facebook group to answer any questions I might have. I read through the posts often, commented and messaged other women who were at my same post-op stage. We supported each other when we felt no one else could understand what we were going through. Despite those tough first weeks post-op, I turned a corner. I could do more, felt better, was weaning off meds and felt like myself again, except with new "girls". I returned to my full time job at 10 weeks post op, even though by the end of a full day I was wiped out. My journey is still ongoing, as I am 6 months post-op and going to all my annual appointments and surgical follow-ups. I will be a "one and done" reconstruction. I have had 3D tattoos, which look great from 4' or more and am very happy with my results. I sought out Physical Therapy on my own with a certified Lymphatic massage therapist which helped me regain range of motion, something I would have not known without my Facebook support group. I have continued to encourage Women in my circle (family, coworkers, friends) to get annual mammograms, and to always seek a second opinion when faced with cancer. No one doctor has ALL the answers. Seek out resources and survivors! Just recently, I gathered all my "tools" that I used post surgery, including a lift recliner, and gave them to a co-worker who is about to undergo DIEP due to a recent diagnosis. That is why I am sharing my journey, to help others in this battle, to know you are not alone, to provide support, or just a shoulder to cry on and listen. Praying for all those still continuing the battle...and the Facebook Group DIEP C Foundation that continues to battle with them.

Lynn A. -survivor