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Wear Your Pink Shoes Proudly By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. On days that I am scheduled to operate (3 or 4 days a week), my attire is comfortably predictable - scrubs and my favorite pair of clogs. The clogs happen to be pink, and I am often asked, “Why the pink shoes?” I usually respond by simply tugging up my pant leg a bit to reveal the familiar pink ribbon logo used by so many worthy causes that support Breast Cancer research and education. I don’t think about breast cancer for one month out of the year -- I think about it every day. Reconstructive surgery makes up a good portion of my practice. I feel so fortunate that my practice allows me to actively participate in the care and treatment of many breast cancer patients. As a staff member at John Muir Hospital, I participate in weekly Tumor Board meetings, often as a panelist. The cases presented at these meetings help us coordinate excellent treatment plans for our patients, and they demonstrate that breast cancer does not spare any particular demographic. One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer including the elderly, the 28 year old newlywed, the healthiest fitness guru, the couch potato, the vibrant career woman, and the mother, pregnant with her first child. Like most cancers, early detection is key to a successful outcome in breast cancer patients. All too often breast cancer is discovered in advanced stages, requiring surgery and breast reconstruction along with radiation and chemotherapy. The physical toll of breast cancer is costly enough, but the emotional toll of losing our breasts can be devastating. I am fortunate to be part of the team of people who make a positive impact in breast cancer patients’ lives by giving back to them something they thought was lost. Through advances and innovations in technique as well as new surgical materials, artful reconstruction of the breast has become a reality. Reconstructive breast surgery is now routinely performed at the
Women Healing Women By Michael Anne Conley, MFT When women bond together in a community in such a way that ‘sisterhood’ is created, it gives them an accepting and intimate forum to tell their stories and have them heard and validated by others. The community not only helps to heal their circumstances, but encourages them to grow into their larger destiny. ~ Sue Monk Kidd, afterward to The Secret Life of Bees
In 1993, I noticed some of my women clients were seeking help for similar concerns. Wanting comfort and understanding, they brought experiences of busy lives juggling work, heath issues and, especially, relationships. Like most people, they were not mentally ill — even if they felt depressed, anxious, or used the word “crazy.” No, they were dealing with “problems in living.” So why did they invest their precious time and money in therapy? It turns out that they had some things in common: 1. They were committed to their own growth. 2. They didn’t want to do this alone. 3. They were familiar with the 12-step self-help programs. 4. Something was still missing and they wanted more. First, these women had made a decision to change their lives, usually triggered by pain such as a divorce or relationship breakup, the death of a parent, a growing attachment to alcohol or drugs, and/or co-parenting with a hostile ex-partner. Whether they were sucking on cigarettes or parenting by helicopter, feeling victimized in relationship or trapped in a job that fed the family but didn’t nourish their souls, no matter what their individual concern, they knew their patterns and habits did not serve their future. Second, they were around people — kids, partners, co-workers, fellow volunteers on school, church or community projects, friends, and family, and yet they felt alone and wanted companionship for their growth. Third, my clients had discovered groups that offered something they didn’t get elsewhere. In these gatherings, they could share their pain with others who had experienced their own variation of that pain. Whether it was
Lafayette Today ~ November 2012 - Page 19 same time as the mastectomy in close coordination with the general surgeon, enabling women to wake up from surgery with breasts. In some cases the nipples and surrounding areolas can be saved as well. The emotional testimonials and thanks I receive from my breast cancer patients feed my soul. I am continually amazed by the strength and courage these women possess through such tragic circumstances. I recently had the pleasure of seeing a 60 year old woman who was told she could not have her breast reconstructed after mastectomy 10 years ago because of thin skin. Now, with new techniques and materials, she will soon have breasts again. She will feel whole. The theme behind the breast cancer campaign is education and awareness. Realize that breast cancer affects us all. Please take the time to educate yourself, perform self breast exams every month, and please don’t delay your routine mammogram screening. To find instructions on how to perform a breast self-examination, please visit our website at www.personsplasticsurgery.com. Support the efforts of wonderful organizations like Susan G. Komen or the Avon Foundation. Join me in wearing your pink shoes proudly every day. Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Come Taste Our Award Winning Wines! 5700 Greenville Rd, Livermore | www.redfeatherwinery.com | 510-861-2722 drinking, drugs, gambling, sex, finances, food, or controlling others who had these problems, they had found relief. Some of them were newcomers, and others had been participating for years. Some were joyfully committed to their recovery, while others were reluctant visitors who didn’t trust the “God” thing, the “powerless” thing, or any number of other things. Fourth, many of these women felt lost. Something was still missing. Meetings, the steps, having sponsors, and being sponsors weren’t bringing them the rewards they wanted or had previously experienced. They were sure that something was wrong with them and that they were destined to relapse. They didn’t know they were ready to benefit from talking with other women and sharing feedback, which self-help programs discourage for a good reason: Great power comes from telling one’s truth and not have anyone else put their spin on it. But there is also power in speaking, listening, and responding, especially when you have a guide who manages any spin. Listening to them, it seemed this was one reason some of them wanted even more anonymity — a place where they could talk, know that their concerns would not go anywhere else, and also learn how others experience who they are. Listening, I heard some of them wanting to honor the sacred without being linked to religious beliefs. They had sought therapy for this, and they needed to keep it affordable. I realized they could learn so much more from each other and that I could be their guide. I invited them to come together. For 19 years, incredibly awesome women have entered the Women Healing Women group, nourished themselves, and offered the same to others. They have left and re-entered their own lives more whole, and sometimes returned for replenishment. The Women Healing Women group is here for you. Michael Anne Conley, MFT, supports people in transforming old habits into new behaviors. She is a health educator, licensed marriage and family therapist and director of Stillpoint integrative health center in Lafayette (http:// wellnesslafayette.com).You can listen to her weekly podcast, Habits Into Health, at www.habitsintohealth.com. To find out more about the Women Healing Women group or her other services, contact her at maconley@wellnesslafayette. com or 925-262-4848. Advertorial