Today it is with a heavy heart I write this blog. I have received news the little girl from across the street (she will always be little to me) has passed away of Invasive Breast Cancer. Diagnosed at age 29, died at age 30. See the girl in the blue singing with such passion….that’s her. Nobody knew at the time this photo was taken back in the 90’s what was to come. There she was, beautiful, pure of heart and thought, always happy. She dealt with her breast cancer the way she lived her life… with passion and always trying to help others if not herself. You can check out Ashleigh’s blog, to see her thoughts and prayers as she went through her journey. I know there’s a reason, but I don’t know it yet. For now we mourn. We pray for her husband and two young boys. We pray for her brother and wonderful parents who should be so proud to have raised such a strong, courageous young woman. But our hearts are so very heavy. We must continue to search for a cure, to make these losses a thing of the past.
If you have been through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment or surgeries, you know this is not a normal time in your life. While your body tries to adjust to everything it is going through, your mind must keep up. But it doesn’t always work that way. I have seen rational, educated people react in surprising ways when under what I call “medical pressure.” If you feel strange pains from surgery, ill effects of chemotherapy or radiation, it may not take much to put you over the top. Our bodies have a lot of self-preservation mechanisms built in, such as our fight or flight reactions. A sudden need to cry, sleep or be cuddled is our body’s way of creating a healthy release. It doesn’t feel healthy at the time, but its a pressure valve of sorts. And you know what? Pressure valves do in fact need to blow sometimes. Let it happen. Embrace it. Families be patient with it, because you see, anything can justify a meltdown. Don’t know what to do? Just be there. Be present. Be in the moment and know that it will pass.
Here is an article and radio link to a story I agreed to in 2014. It was at the time of my nipple tattoo, yes I said “nipple” and “tattoo”. I’ve learned so many women don’t know about what their surgical options are and they don’t understand the process of breast reconstruction. It pays to know your options and the pros and cons of each. Ladies in your 20’s and 30’s, listen up. Trust me, this conversation is just starting!
BY Lauren Silverman July 23rd, 2014 | 7:24 am
Diane never thought about getting a tattoo. Or plastic surgery. But this year she’s done both. For breast cancer patients who have a mastectomy there used to be few options after removal. There were prosthesis, implants that would eventually be replaced, and details that just didn’t look natural. – See more at: http://breakthroughs.kera.org/after-cancer-new-breasts-new-nipples/#sthash.2nUWfAXN.dpuf
For the growing number of women who choose mastectomies, there’s also the question about what to do for the nipple. No nipple is an option, but so is a nipple and an additional tattoo to add color and dimension.
Diane – who still hasn’t told people in her office about her breast cancer or surgeries – has gotten very used to talking about her nipples.
UT Southwestern Medical Center Plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Haddock talks with his patient, Diane, about the final stage in her breast reconstruction, the nipple tattoos.
“Let’s get over it, we have breasts. And you know what, we have nipples too,” she says. “The icing on the cake is the nipple tattoo.”
The Decision
In 2013, Diane found out she had breast cancer, and at 56 decided to have both breast removed – a double mastectomy.
For a while, she wore prosthesis. But she didn’t feel normal. Still, she says plastic surgery was a bit scary.
“I used to have such a bad opinion of plastic surgery,” Diane says, “Because to me it was the big lips, and the boobs and the Botox (…) but you know what? I remember the day I came in, Dr. Haddock took the bandages off, ran over to the mirror and I said, I’m starting to feel normal again.”
Not all women who have a mastectomy opt for breast reconstruction, although rates have gone up in the past decade. The women who do choose reconstruction have options that weren’t available to their mothers or grandmothers.
“It’s a lot like a tummy tuck,” Haddock explains. “If you had a tummy tuck that’s the tissue we usually remove, but in the tummy tuck we throw it away. In this situation instead I find those tiny blood vessels, bring it up to the chest and I plug those blood vessels into the chest.”
It’s a delicate surgery, reconnecting blood vessels that measure 2.5 millimeters, about the tip of a crayon. When Haddock finishes, a patient has both a breast, and skin in the form of a circle that acts as the areola.
The next step is making that lump of skin look like a nipple.
The Tattoo
The inks and circle stencil template used to create realistic looking nipples.
While some women go to tattoo artists not associated with a medical facility, Diane chose to have her nipples tattooed at the UT Southwestern clinic where her plastic surgery was done.
Stacey Burden, one of the aestheticians trained to give women who’ve lost their breasts to cancer new nipples, says this tattoo is more superficial than a traditional tattoo.
“And our color palette is considerably different,” Burden points out. “More flesh tones and natural colors.”
The tubes of ink look like lip gloss or concealer. The pinks and browns have names like “Princess,” “Chocolate truffle,” and “Sinnamon.”
Burden starts with a larger 11-pronged needle to give general color, and twenty minutes later moves on to detail work, shading and adding tiny bumps called Montgomery glands.
“The first time I did a tattoo by myself,” Burden says, “the patient stood up and admired herself in the mirror and she looked perfect. And she cried and I cried.”
A Personal Decision
To some, the nipple tattoo may sound excessive, but Dr. Haddock says it’s part of the recovery process. Stacey Burden, an Aesthetician with UT Southwestern Medical Center, prepares the ink to tattoo Diane’s nipples.
If mastectomy is covered by insurance, which it is for Diane, breast reconstruction – including the tattoo – is included. Just as insurers are recognizing the procedure, Haddock says tattoo artists and aesthetician are stepping up their game.
“In the past it might just be one solid color,” Haddock says, “and then it just looks like a cookie on someone’s breast. Whereas now, at least our tattoo artist is doing definition, creating shadow for the nipple, creating Montgomery glands, and some of the normal aspects of a normal nipple.”
Diane says it’s a very personal choice.
“My point is, reconstruction is out there and if women are not told this by their breast surgeon, it’s like they’re choosing from a menu that’s been partially redacted,” she says. “My view is you get all the facts together and then you make a decision.”
For Diane, the nipple tattoo is the last step in her physical recovery. A final detail that completes the picture.
According to Kathy Platt, MS, LMT, HHP, an adept massage practitioner can greatly reduce pain, spasms, and lymph build-up associated with mastectomies. Many women complain of these conditions after surgery, or after tissue expanders have been implanted. A massage therapist trained in medical massage or massage for cancer patients will know how to exactly pinpoint the source of the pain and release it. The therapist can also locate chronic spasms and gently soothe and release them, and help them not return. A massage therapist trained in lymph drainage will be able to release the pressure and discomfort of lymph fluid build-up and ease suffering in this way. Loosening restrictive scar tissue can help to soothe inflammation. And a massage therapist trained in emotional release can help identify emotional stresses and patterns caught in the tissue and help this release, which eases the mind as well as the body, and greatly helps balance biochemical processes. Are you going through the journey that cancer creates? Would this not be the best time to experience soothing and nurturing massage…
If your mom or someone you know is going through breast cancer (or not), here’s a couple of ideas that will tell them you care about them, their health, and their well-being. All of the western medicine we use throughout cancer is very important, but there are some things that can help healing on the inside and outside.
No.1 – Consider Tulsi Tea, otherwise known as Holy Basil. This tea has long been revered as a healing tea that reduces stress, and has strong anti-carcinogenic and anti-oxidant properties. Drink it hot or cool with stevia. I did not discover this until I had breast cancer and it is now part of my “THE CANCER IS NOT COMING BACK” regimen. I highly recommend it for everyone.
No.2 – I recently started using an essential oil diffuser. I’ve used other products for air freshening, but none had the healing properties and earthy freshness of essential oils. I’ve learned there are some oils that are beneficial to fighting cancer. They have been shown to have healing properties…not to mention it smells awesome and clean and relaxing. If you use any of the following alone or in combination: Rosemary, Lavender, Frankincense, Cloves. I’m sure she will love it!
Dr. Kat Smith, Diane Taheri, Marjan Babahaji, Beverly Biehl
Mark Soto, Diane Taheri, Breelan Statham
We love you all!We wanted to pause for a moment and give thanks. Too often our lives are spent looking forward, but today, we will look back to last Thursday. My Breast Choice held our first fundraiser at the Kendra Scott Store in Preston Center in Dallas, TX. You are never quite sure if you are making a difference when you hope you are. But when you exceed your goal, receive positive feedback, and connect with others, you realize why we are here. Take a lesson from Kendra Scott herself, who has learned that giving back is the best thing you can do. It certainly worked out for us. We want to thank all of those that came and shopped in the store or called in orders. It was great to see so many of you and meet others. We treasure each and every one of you and thank you for your support. We also thank Kendra Scott on the Plaza Preston Center for so graciously allowing us to host for them.
Monica So, Julianna Lee
Diane Taheri, Marina Chim, Marjan Babahaji, Bijan Taheri, Sheila Taheri
Let’s face it, no one wants to dwell on what they would do “if” they were to get breast cancer. In addition, why would you spend time on getting educated about surgeries you don’t need. Until….. The fact is, after a breast cancer diagnosis, the first decision you will need to make will probably have to do with your surgical options. And at that point, you’re not thinking clearly, you’re upset and you may feel you’re in a hurry. I did. So I have some information to make this easier for you. Tuck it in the back of your brain for when someone needs it. First you can check out the CHOICES page of our website. There it will tell you the three main choices for surgeries: Lumpectomy, Breast Reconstruction with Implants, and Breast Reconstruction using Natural Tissue. We list the PROs and CONs in a simple format to help you in your decision. If you are inclined to go for natural tissue breast reconstruction, there is a team in Dallas that is pushing the envelope to make this available to more women than ever… Check out this article. Advancements in Breast Reconstruction
Below, Dr. Nicholas Haddock presents on the advancements discussed in the article, the PAP Flap and Four Flap, exclusive to his team!
If you recall, we talked at the beginning of the year about “Phocusing on our Ph” Why do we do this? It’s because we are managing our bodies and making it less likely to sustain cancer. Let’s take a moment and look into this more deeply.
PingPing Zhang, LAc says:
Drink Water: Before breakfast drink 8 oz. of water with either a lime or lemon slice or with half a Teaspoon of baking soda. This will clear toxins from the body and help to alkalize the body to prevent the cancer cells from coming back. You want to continue to drink more water throughout the day, as much as you want. This nourishes the body’s cells to prevent dehydration.
PingPing also says:
Avoid sugar because it causes toxicity and acidity. Instead, use natural sweeteners like stevia or ask your acupuncturist for supplements to reduce sugar cravings.
By adding baking soda and lemon and eliminating sugar, you are managing your acidity and therefore managing the health of the cells in your body.
It is great when passions overlap! Let me explain. What if you were an avid cyclist that loved beautiful scenery, great exercise and the moving meditation that comes with riding. Let’s couple that with wanting to support organizations helping families going through breast cancer. If you think this is a cool as I do, then you need to check out www.mammajammaride.org. This is a grass roots organization that raises money doing what they love—cycling! Ride on Mamma Jamma!!!
Cure Diva is definitely on to something! Think about how you feel when you get a new dress or shoes, or perhaps some new jewelry. I’m sure there is an extra bounce in your step and a feeling of pride. Why should that stop just because you have cancer?
In fact, that is all the more reason to treat yourself to something that will help you look better. Imagine help finding a beautiful outfit and a nice head wrap to complement. If a cancer patient has an extra bounce in her step and more pride about her appearance, that sounds invaluable to me. I wish I would have had that while going through my breast cancer journey.
See the girl in the blue singing with such passion….that’s her. Nobody knew at the time this photo was taken back in the 90’s what was to come. There she was, beautiful, pure of heart and thought, always happy. She dealt with her breast cancer the way she lived her life… with passion and always trying to help others if not herself. You can check out Ashleigh’s blog, to see her thoughts and prayers as she went through her journey. I know there’s a reason, but I don’t know it yet. For now we mourn. We pray for her husband and two young boys. We pray for her brother and wonderful parents who should be so proud to have raised such a strong, courageous young woman. But our hearts are so very heavy. We must continue to search for a cure, to make these losses a thing of the past.
