loading
3 Tips to Help a Loved One After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis PRMA Plastic Surgery

A cancer diagnosis overwhelming. It can also be devastating to hear that a loved one has received this terrible news. Once the initial blow of the news of a loved one’s diagnosis has passed, many are left with the question of “What can I do to help and support them?” Below are some tips on how to help carry your loved one through this journey, without overstepping your boundaries and ensuring they have a village surrounding them with a willingness to help navigate the inevitable storms to come.

Do your research:

Learning about the specific disease that your loved one has is a great place to start. Cancer is not a one size fits all disease.The treatment options and timelines can vary greatly between cases. Understanding their diagnosis will help equipt you with the knowledge you need to discuss their diagnosis with them. Having a loved one to talk to helps patients like they are not alone and have a team of support. The caveat of doing your research is this: unsolicited advice about treatment decisions is a no-no. Always leave this in the hands of their team of doctors, surgeons and medical professionals!

Cancer isn’t convenient: 

A cancer diagnosis always comes at a terrible time. Cancer does not wait until you are an empty-nester or retired. Cancer does not wait for your schedule to be available for the countless appointments. After a diagnosis, your loved one will need help. This may be taking a child to or from school or extra-curricular activity, bringing over a home-cooked meal, helping with housekeeping or a simple car wash. These little details are often the ones that get left behind and can greatly improve a patients’ quality of life during this time.

Don’t let sadness overstay its welcome: 

There will always be times that both your loved one and you will be sad about the diagnosis, but a positive light will do wonders for your loved ones’ morale. It doesn’t have to be persistent positivity, but moments of light can brighten any burden—even for a moment. It is extremely important to let your loved one know that their feelings of sadness are validated and very real, but it shouldn’t be the only topic of discussion. Bringing up topics that will bring your loved one joy, whether it be hobbies, children, family, sports, etc. are great ways to bring joy to the mind of your loved while navigating through a cancer diagnosis.

While cancer is never a fun journey to take, there are often many ways to support your loved one to remind them that they are more than this disease!

Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Delaney Crawford

A cancer diagnosis overwhelming. It can also be devastating to hear that a loved one has received this terrible news. Here are 3 tips to help a loved one after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter

Online Form – Newsletter Signup

Continue Reading

Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period

Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period December 02, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin During our pre-operative appointment with patients, a topic that occasionally arises is menstrual cycles.  It is completely normal for women to experience changes with their periods throughout breast cancer treatments.  These can be temporary or permanent.  Periods can be unpredictable following […]

Read More

 

What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery November 17, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, many patients want to know what types of bras and abdominal girdles they should plan to wear after surgery. Although every surgeon has slightly different preferences, we have put together […]

Read More

 

My 5 DIEP Flap Realities | A Guest Blog From Julie

My 5 DIEP Flap Realities October 28, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hi everyone, my name is Julie from It’s a Bosom Thing. I am so happy to be here as a guest blogger and have this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts about life after DIEP Flap Surgery. I was diagnosed […]

Read More

 

bra day 2020
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap

PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yesterday we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness day! Although we missed seeing everyone in person this year, we were still able to spread education and awareness on ALL reconstructive options through our virtual efforts.  We were also able to share information on […]

Read More

 

Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery

Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP flap breast reconstruction is typically comprised of at least two stages for the best outcomes.  The second stage of surgery is commonly referred to as the “revision” stage and is usually performed about three months after the initial reconstruction.  The purpose […]

Read More

 

flaps good option for breast reconstruction_ PRMA Plastic Surgery
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them?

If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Flap-based breast reconstruction procedures, like the DIEP flap, offer patients a safe, natural implant-alternative option to reconstruction after a mastectomy.  Flap surgeries are permanent and are associated with fewer complications after radiation when […]

Read More

 

Skin Island in Breast Reconstruction _ PRMA Plastic Surgery
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction?

What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is a “skin island”? The term “skin island” is used to describe the remaining visible skin from a transplanted “flap” of tissue. In the setting of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the skin island […]

Read More

 

comparing apex and diep flap
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction August 10, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin We have been receiving numerous inquiries about the “APEX flap” recently.  Patients want to know what it is and how it differs from the DIEP flap. APEX is an acronym that stands for “Abdominal Perforator Exchange”.  Many patients believe […]

Read More

 

Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery PRMA Plastic Surgery
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery

​Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Autologous flap (or tissue) breast reconstruction procedures represent today’s most advanced options for rebuilding a breast(s) following mastectomy. The most commonly performed method of flap-based reconstruction at PRMA is the DIEP flap. During this procedure, surgeons transplant skin […]

Read More

 

COVID-19 and the Impact on Cancer Patient’s Mortality PRMA Plastic Surgery
​COVID-19 and the Impact on Cancer Patient’s Mortality

​COVID-19 and the Impact on Cancer Patient’s Mortality July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin There is still so much we do not know about COVID-19. Likewise, there is little known about how this disease impacts mortality for cancer patients. A study published in The Lancet evaluated and characterized the outcomes of patients with cancer […]

Read More

 

post-img
Prev post

Is DIEP Flap Surgery the Same as a Tummy Tuck

Next post

What Does The Term "Dog Ears" Mean?

post-img