BFFL Co. As many of you already know, sharing tips with friends is one of my favorite things to do. One company that I have been meaning to tell you about is BFFL Co. BFFL stands for “Best Friends for Life”. Isn’t that the cutest name? Well, it’s a cute name with a very real and… Continue reading BFFL Co.
Breast Cancer Surgery – Mastectomy & Reconstruction
Rita Wilson Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment
Rita Wilson Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment Did you hear about Rita Wilson? FBC. Yep. I was as surprised as you are. Having been in her shoes – well, not exactly in her shoes as I certainly am not a public figure – I understand how hard it is to share personal and difficult news with family… Continue reading Rita Wilson Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment
Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery
Last night, I received an email alert from the New York Times with an article entitled, “Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery.” My first thought was “here we go again.” As you may recall (who in the world doesn’t), two years ago, Angelina Jolie (pre-Pitt) underwent a “preventative” double mastectomy. I wrote about it here shortly thereafter. Please allow… Continue reading Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery
Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy
Recently, I came across a fantastic article about choosing between having a mastectomy versus a lumpectomy for early FBC. Making any one of the seemingly bagillion decisions that have to be made after hearing the words, “You have cancer” can be overwhelming, confusing and twinkie-eating inducing. Just kidding on that last part. Sort of.… Continue reading Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy
Let’s Talk About Sex (During Cancer Treatment), Baby
Let’s Talk About Sex (During Cancer Treatment), Baby In the midst of a cancer diagnosis, treatment, or recovery, intimacy can easily slip to the bottom of the priority list (if it makes it on the list at all!). I know that this was the case for me. As a bald skeleton, the last thing in… Continue reading Let’s Talk About Sex (During Cancer Treatment), Baby
Clothes Shopping Post-Mastectomy – It’s the Junior High Locker Room All Over Again!
Clothes Shopping Post-Mastectomy – It’s the Junior High Locker Room All Over Again! Here’s something that I didn’t expect (and that no one tells you about!!!) post-mastectomy: the fear and anxiety of clothes shopping and more specifically, dressing rooms. Uh huh. Please allow me to explain. Last week when I was in New York, I… Continue reading Clothes Shopping Post-Mastectomy – It’s the Junior High Locker Room All Over Again!
How to Prepare for Surgery
One of my dear readers was unfortunately diagnosed with FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers). She is having surgery in the next couple of weeks and asked me if I would do a post on how to prepare. Absa-positive-ly! Having surgery – any kind of surgery! – is one of life’s most difficult experiences.… Continue reading How to Prepare for Surgery
The Girlfriend's Guide to Constipation Relief
There is nothing – absolutely nothing! – like being constipated after surgery. Oh dear heavens is it ever wretched. (Unfortunately!) I’ve had to walk several girlfriends through the process in the last month. So, I thought I’d share my (tried and true) step-by-step tips for preventing and eliminating constipation.* Post surgical constipation stems from taking narcotics.… Continue reading The Girlfriend's Guide to Constipation Relief
The Angelina Jolie Mastectomy Factor
The Angelina Jolie Mastectomy Last week was a full-ON Angelia Jolie kind of week. Because so many people have asked my opinion about her decision to have a double mastectomy, I thought I’d weigh in with my reaction to her Op-Ed piece in the New York Times. So many references have been made to Angelina… Continue reading The Angelina Jolie Mastectomy Factor
Guest Post: Not Just Another Body Part
Today, I am really excited to share a guest post by my colleague and friend, Dr. Betsy Bates Freed. In addition to being a clinical psychologist, she is also a medical journalist who writes a weekly blog for Oncology Report. Where breast cancer is concerned, every woman’s viewpoint is unique. And in each individual patient,… Continue reading Guest Post: Not Just Another Body Part