Episode 32: Patient Advocate, Storyteller, and Lobular Breast Cancer Survivor
Release Date: 05/10/2023
Episode 55: Breast Reconstruction Surgery in New Orleans at CRBS
DiepCJourney Podcast
Have you searched endlessly for days and weeks for a microsurgeon to perform breast reconstruction? Access to care is a real concern for patients who are affected by breast cancer. Finding a plastic surgeon who specializes in tissue reconstruction in the area you live in is not always a service afforded to all patients. Traveling for breast reconstruction is not out of the ordinary. It was something I did myself for my DIEP flap. I want to bring awareness to microsurgical services in various geographic areas and interview surgeons to help patients who are looking for a reconstructive...
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Episode 54: Lymphedema Treatment and Surgery from London
DiepCJourney Podcast
I have been fortunate to have discussions with surgeons in the U.S. on lymphedema. This is a topic I feel should be discussed with international surgeons as well. As part of my work with I am fortunate to meet surgeons from around the world at various plastic and microsurgical conferences. I will be talking to one of these microsurgeons on the We need to know all we can about lymphedema, lymphedema surgery, how microsurgeons across the world are treating breast cancer patients for this condition, and so, this is our topic of discussion from a guest in London, in the United Kingdom. is a...
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Episode 53: The Value of the Co-Surgeon Model In Breast Reconstruction and Insurance Coverage Concerns
DiepCJourney Podcast
The two-surgeon model in microvascular breast reconstruction and concerns about insurance coverage is a topic we are tackling on the . I have NOT come to understand the complexities of insurance but have gained a great deal of empathy for those in the breast cancer community who deal with these complexities, and that includes patients and surgeons. I was certain I needed to invite a guest I was completely comfortable discussing this topic with. We go back a bit. I have built trust in his principles over time and his focused passion on patient education. You have heard him on the podcast...
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Episode 52: A Patient Story: Transitioning from Implants to DIEP Flap
DiepCJourney Podcast
Whether you have had a breast cancer diagnosis, have a genetic mutation placing you at high risk of getting breast cancer, have had or are facing a mastectomy due to either of these situations you will want to listen to this episode of the . The time has come to share a personal story of a woman I interviewed twice about her decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy and implant reconstruction. This is the continuation of her Journey. She came to a decision to exchange the implants she never quite felt comfortable in and transition to DIEP flap breast reconstruction and use her own tissue this...
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Episode 51: The Many Facets of Microsurgery
DiepCJourney Podcast
Have ever been you curious about the networking, conversations, and education that happens among colleagues at medical conferences? Or are there topics you see online but are not aware of the stories behind the social media posts from these conferences? I invite a returning guest to give you a behind the scenes look at one such conference, the annual conference of . We chose a few highlights and topics from the conference to share our experience so you can learn more about these rich learning events. Here to share the highpoints and a few of our favorite topics is one of the presenters at the...
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Episode 51: Lymphedema Treatment and Surgery for Breast Cancer Patients
DiepCJourney Podcast
This episode of the t is well-timed to publish on March 1, 2024, the first day of lymphedema awareness month. We hope you will share this in your community for breast cancer patients affected by lymphedema to provide them with the resources needed to treat this condition and let them know there are specialists in surgical treatment options as well. My guest is one such specialist. is Chief of Plastic Surgery and faculty surgeon at and works as a microsurgeon with , , in San Antonio. It is important for listeners to understand the function and importance of the lymphatic system. Dr. Fries...
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Episode 50: A Young Nurse and Her DIEP Flap Story
DiepCJourney Podcast
This episode of the shares a fascinating story of a young woman who graciously and professionally takes us through her Journey from being diagnosed with breast cancer, cold capping, the affect on her family and young daughters, and to the story of her DIEP flap breast reconstruction. She never felt a lump. She was enrolled in a high-risk program based on her family history. Because of this, she found the cancer early. My guest is Lacey Terpstra-Reid. She is a registered nurse residing in Guthrie Oklahoma. In November 2022 she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer at...
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Episode 49: Fat Necrosis: What to Know and Look for in Breast Reconstruction
DiepCJourney Podcast
With any type of surgery there are risks and possible complications. We are tackling a topic on this episode of the that is frequently discussed in the community served at DiepCFoundation. I reached out to an expert in the field for our discussion on fat grafting in breast reconstruction. founded in Spokane Washington in 2010 after completing her surgical training at the prestigious University of Washington Plastic Surgery Residency. She works with a group of five other surgeons performing various aesthetic and plastic surgery procedures including like DIEP flap. Preoperative patient...
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Episode 48: NAPBC Standards in Exercise Oncology
DiepCJourney Podcast
There is hard science to support the benefits of exercise for those who are affected by cancer of any kind. We will discuss this on this episode of the . The good news is that now the introduced new standards in January of 2024 for exercise oncology. Supporting this initiative is . Nationally there are around sixty-five hospitals and locations Maple Tree Cancer Alliance is partnering with to help patients and the medical community implement these changes to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. I am speaking to the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, , PhD, and their...
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Episode 47: BIA/ALCL Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
DiepCJourney Podcast
Millions of women across the globe have undergone breast augmentation using a medical device called a breast implant. This is done for reasons such as cosmesis, sometimes called enhancement of the breast, but also for trauma to the chest wall or for oncological reasons meaning breast cancer. Any surgery is not without risks. Using a medical device like a breast implant is not different. This is the focus of our discussion on this episode of the . My guest is a leading expert in the field. We are going to discuss the medical definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment BIA/ALCL. This stands...
info_outlineMegan-Claire Chase is a breast cancer survivor who deals with a lot of effects from treatment and being diagnosed with lobular breast cancer at a very young age. But she excitedly begins our conversation by saying her pain melted away at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium when she was able to meet patient advocates in person for the first time. Social media connects many of us but the conference we both attended in early December of 2023 allowed us to sit down together to share intimate conversations, ask each other how we are doing, and share our advocacy work. I was fortunate to be one of those advocates to finally meet her in person at the meeting.
Megan-Claire experienced strange symptoms for about two years that were left without a diagnosis. Her mother had ovarian cancer when she was pregnant with Megan-Claire. She states she felt this made her a miracle baby for her parents. Megan-Claire felt certain at some point in her lifetime she would get cancer because she has a strong history in her family. Because of this she was able to get a mammogram at age thirty-five and have it covered by insurance.
Being hyper aware of her body due to family history of cancer, the signs she saw were concerning. She noticed tiny green bruising on her legs, weight gain, loss of hair on the left side of her head, and a “zit” on the outside of her left breast. She knew something was not right. Megan-Claire shares with us she would like the medical community to be more aware that black women and other women of color will present with different symptoms that her white counterparts.
This leads us to a more in-depth conversation on health disparities, implicit biases in breast cancer care and what Megan-Claire accomplishes in her community and advocacy work to improve the communication between the patient and physician. Megan-Claire will be participating in a community event to connect patients and provide these resources June 15-21 of 2023.
The event and other ways to join Megan-Claire on social media can be found here.
National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week started by the FDA through the Oncology Center of Excellence.
Megan-Claire’s Linked Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-claire-chase/
Breast Cancer Program Director: Share Cancer Support