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Archives for February 2018

5 Ways to Support Someone with Breast Cancer in Your Community

February 27, 2018 by

Breastcancer.org states that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.

Therefore, the likelihood of you knowing a family member, friend, or neighbor who has breast cancer is very high.

So, here’s the million-dollar question…

What can you do to help when someone in your family or community is diagnosed with breast cancer?

Certainly, there are many ways you can lend a hand to someone in need. However, here are a few examples of things that we’ve heard breast cancer survivors have found most helpful during their time of need.

Check it out…

Act of Service #1 – Take Care of Someone’s Yard Work

Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, trimming shrubs, weeding gardens…

Yard work is a big chore!

And if you don’t stay on top of it, it can get out of hand really fast.

Someone who is battling cancer isn’t going to have the strength and energy to mow her lawn or tend to her garden, which makes volunteering to do yard work a perfect way to serve a family member, friend, or someone in your community with breast cancer.

Grab some of your closet friends, throw on a pair of work gloves, and get to work! When everyone pitches in, it makes light work that will make a huge difference to someone in need.

Act of Service #2 – Make and Donate Oven-Ready Meals

Cancer treatments are draining and can make a person downright sick.

And feeling ill and having no energy makes cooking a dinner a really big chore.

That being said, people have to eat. And if the person who is battling cancer has children, skipping meals is simply out of the question!

A great way to serve a friend, family member, or someone in your community is by putting together freezer meals that can quickly be popped in the oven or microwave for dinner.

Having a freezer full of these meals ready to go takes the stress of someone needing to cook, prevents someone who is feeling tired or ill from having to grocery shop, and ensures that everyone will go to bed at night with a full belly.

Tip: We advise that you let the person you’re bringing meals to know that you’re going to do it in advance. That way she can give you a list of the meals they enjoy and can make sure she has room in the freezer for the meals you bring over.

Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started!

Act of Service #3 -Volunteer at Your Local Hospital

If you don’t personally know someone with cancer, but have the desire to help someone in need, we recommend that you volunteer at your local hospital.

Visiting patients, reading to kids, or bringing in a service dog to comfort people is a great way to bring some cheer to those in the hospital.

Give your local hospital a call and see what they need help with! We guarantee they’ll have something they could use your help for!

Act of Service #4 – Send a Happy Motivational Card to Someone

It’s always such a wonderful feeling when you go to your mailbox and pull out a letter from a family member or friend instead of junk mail or a bill.

So, we recommend you spread some joy while sending happy motivational cards to those battling breast cancer.

If the person you’re sending a card to lives a long way away, sending a card by mail is great.

However, if the person you’re giving a card to lives in your community, personally drop it off.

If you know the person well enough, this is a great opportunity to give her a much-needed hug, have a conversation if she needs to talk, or just brighten up her day with a visit.

We do recommend if you’re going in person that you call ahead of time to make sure the person you’re visiting is up for having someone stop by.

Act of Service #5 – Offer Transportation

Last, but not certainly not least, offering transportation is a wonderful gift for someone who is battling cancer.

If the person you know is undergoing chemo treatments, offering transportation to and from her appointment is a big help. Especially because it’s common for people to feel sick and tired after a treatment.

Offering to take someone to and from doctors’ appointments, to the grocery store, to the bank, or anywhere else is also a huge help as it can get tiring walking around a store.

And, of course, if the person you’re helping has kids, offering to transport to school, sporting events, practices, and other activities is a big help.

After all, anyone who has kids knows how demanding and time consuming their schedules can be.

What services do you think would be helpful for someone who is battling breast cancer? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness

Ask the Doctor – Is It Common To Have Breast Reconstruction Done At The Same Time As A Mastectomy?

February 23, 2018 by

This week, Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question about breast reconstruction.

Question: My dear friend has recently been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer – estrogen driven. Cells were found in the ducts but negative in lymph flow.  She has been scheduled for a mastectomy and she has decided to have both removed. She has been informed that she will need to have a hysterectomy soon after. I am an RN having worked in-house bedside with patients for 25 years. She is to be scheduled for surgery later this week and has been told reconstructive surgery for both breasts will be done as the surgery is completed. Is this commonly done? The patients I worked with generally had the reconstruction after chemo and radiation.  What is your professional insight?  She is terribly afraid and she has 11 and 8 yr old sons.

Answer: Yes, it is very common to have reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy. While there may be a slight increase in the complication rate doing it this way, most people feel that the advantages of doing them together outweigh any potential disadvantages. The one time that we would NEVER do immediate reconstruction is if the patient wanted natural tissue reconstruction, but we thought there was some chance that she would be radiated, as we NEVER want to radiate the transferred tissue. I do not wish to speak for your friend’s oncologists, but the two most frequent reasons for receiving radiation are 1) one or more positive lymph nodes, or 2) a tumor greater than 5 cm in largest dimension. Even if we know that radiation is to be received postoperatively, however, there is no problem reconstructing with implants or tissue expanders at the same time as mastectomies, and there may, in fact, be some potential advantages, primarily in terms of the quality of the final result.

I certainly understand your concern and your friend’s concern, but there is every reason to think that she will do well. If I can be of any assistance by talking to her or anyone else, please let me know, I would be happy to do so.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , ,

5 Family-Friendly Movie Ideas for a Cold Day

February 20, 2018 by

We’re all for having fun outside and enjoying the great outdoors! But, during the winter months, there are days that are just too darn cold!

So, what do you do on a day where you don’t feel like braving the weather?

Personally, we love a good indoor movie, complete with popcorn, warm blankets, and the ones we love.

If you’re looking for a few movies to add to your family-friendly movie list this year, here are a few of our favorites! Check them out.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins, produced in 1964, is an oldie but a goodie.

Both adults and children can enjoy this fantasy-musical based on the story of a magical nanny that was sent to care for a pair of mischievous children.

Not to mention, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke star in this classic film. You just can’t go wrong with a film that stars both of those actors!
 

 

 

 

 

 

The Incredibles

Love superheroes and animated movies? Then The Incredibles movie is a great choice for you!

This very funny Disney Pixar film follows the adventures of Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) and his wife, Helen, (Elastigirl)–the world’s greatest crime-fighting superheroes in Metroville.

Will they ever get to live the quiet suburban life they desire? Or will an evil villain get in their way?

Watch the movie to find out!
 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is a very famous story of a pig and a spider who become friends while living on the Arable’s farm.

Throughout the movie, Wilber the pig also forms a relationship with an adorable little girl named Fern who saved Wilber when he was just a tiny piglet.

This movie is originally based on the classic Charlotte’s Web book written by E.B. White.

So, if you have a few more cold days heading your way, we also recommend you check out the book.
 

 

 

 

 

The Iron Giant

The Iron Giant is a very cool animated science fiction comedy-drama film that was created using both traditional animation and computer animation.

This movie tells the story of a 9-year-old boy who discovers a robot (The Iron Giant) after an object from space crashes into the earth.

Over time, the Iron Giant and the little boy form an inseparable bond. Check out the movie to see what adventures they will have together!
 

 

 

 

 

The Sandlot

Baseball fans…if you haven’t seen the classic movie The Sandlot, you’re missing out!

This 90s film follows the adventures of a kid named Smalls who learns to play baseball so he’ll fit in with a group of neighbor kids.

One day, Smalls hits an amazing homerun. However, the ball (a signed trophy ball) unfortunately lands in a yard that contains a giant beast that Smalls and his friends are all afraid of.

Will they ever get their ball back? And will Smalls get in major trouble from ruining his dad’s autographed ball? Watch the movie to find out.
 

 

 

 

 

What’s your favorite movie night movie? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness

Ask the Doctor – What Options Do I Have When Removing My Breast Implants?

February 16, 2018 by

This week, Audrey Rowen, PA-C, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question about breast reconstruction.

Question: I had silicone implants in 1988 under skin, which ruptured. In 2012, had bilateral implant exchange with saline implants under muscle. In 2016, the right saline implant ruptured; it was always hard with capsular contraction. I have been trying to find a plastic surgeon who will do a capsulectomy on Rt & Lt… and ideally tissue transfer from my body. (I read the FDA has 356 MDRs of lymphoma including 9 deaths, with saline implants, mostly textured but also smooth.) So, as long as I have a rupture (the right breast is flattened), I may as well have both saline’s removed. Does the fat transfer go under the skin or muscle? Would this be a good option for me at this point? Is the capsulectomy better than the explant-ation? Of course, it also depends on cost! Thank you.

Answer: Thanks for reaching out! I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had quite a lot of trouble with implants over the years. Were your implants placed for reconstruction or for cosmetic purposes? We do a lot with both implant reconstruction and natural tissue, both of which are almost always placed above the muscle. Our office also mostly prefers to use smooth silicone gel implants instead of saline, and we choose not to use textured implants often for a few reasons, one of them being what you researched about the Anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

The biggest question that determines what your best options would be whether you had a breast cancer diagnosis or other factors that would make your case reconstruction vs. cosmetic. Once we get that information from you, I feel we can better give you an idea of what we might be able to do for you.

I look forward to hearing back from you to see how we can help you!

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , ,

3 Delicious Homemade Pizza Recipes

February 13, 2018 by

Did you know that, according to pizza.com, Americans eat over 100 acres of pizza each day?

Sounds crazy!

But, as pizza lovers ourselves, that number doesn’t surprise us.

In fact, we love pizza so much that we often make it from scratch at home.

If you’re looking for some delicious pizza recipes, we suggest you give these a try!

Enjoy…

Classic Margherita  Pizza Recipe

In 1889 during a visit to Naples, the Queen Margherita of Savoy, chef Raffaele Esposito of Pizzeria Brandi, and his wife created a pizza resembling the colors of the Italian flag, red, white, and green.

They named the pizza after Queen Margherita, and the rest is history…delicious history!

If you love melty cheese, tomato sauce, and basil, give this recipe a try.

Ingredients:

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 1 pinch white sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour for dusting
  • 2 cups pizza sauce
  • 20 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 20 leaves fresh basil
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt to taste

Directions:

  1. Stir flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Mix water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let stand until yeast begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir half the flour mixture into yeast mixture until no dry spots remain. Stir in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When dough pulls together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
  4. Lightly oil a large bowl, and then place dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F or 27 to 35 degrees C) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  5. Punch dough down, divide into 4 equal pieces, and form each into a ball.
  6. Preheat oven with a pizza stone to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
  7. Stretch out and pat 1 dough ball to form a circle 10 to 12 inches in diameter. Place dough on a lightly floured pizza pan. Top with 1/2 cup of tomato sauce and spread to cover within an inch of the edge of the dough.
  8. Arrange 5 slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce, and then place 5 basil leaves on top.
  9. Drizzle pizza with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt to taste. Repeat for 3 remaining dough balls.
  10. Bake until cheese is bubbly and the underside of the crust is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.

Recipe Source

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

Packed with protein and lots of flavor, this grilled buffalo chicken pizza recipe is always a hit whether you’re cooking it up as a game day appetizer to share with friends or your family dinner.

The best part…this versatile pizza can be customized with pickled jalapenos, banana pepper rings, black olives, and blue cheese crumbles so everyone can get the flavor they desire.

Check out the recipe…

Ingredients:

  • 1 large skinless, boneless chicken breast
  • 2 pinches Montreal steak seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
  • 2 pieces tandoori naan bread
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
  • 2 tablespoons diced red onion
  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese,
  • 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 roma (plum) tomato, seeded and chopped

Directions:

  1. Season chicken breast with Montreal steak seasoning.
  2. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag and pour 1/3 cup hot pepper sauce into the bag. Seal bag and rub hot sauce into chicken.
  3. Transfer bag to the refrigerator and marinate for 12 hours or overnight.
  4. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
  5. Remove chicken from the bag and discard marinade. Cook the chicken on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 5 to 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  6. Dice chicken into bite-size pieces. Toss chicken and remaining 2 tablespoons hot sauce together in a bowl.
  7. Brush each naan with olive oil; cook on the grill until golden and toasted on one side, 3 to 5 minutes.
  8. Reduce heat to medium-low and transfer naan pieces, toasted-side up, to a baking sheet. Spread blue cheese dressing on the toasted side of each naan. Top each with diced chicken and red onion.
  9. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top.
  10. Return naan to grill and cook until cheese is melted and bottom is toasted and golden, 5 to 10 minutes more.
  11. Remove from grill, slice into pieces and top with lettuce and tomato.

Recipe Source

Breakfast Pizza Recipe

The only thing better than a delicious slice of leftover pizza for breakfast is a pizza that you actually make for breakfast.

This breakfast pizza recipe, filled with cheese, ham, breakfast sausage, and bacon, is a hearty meal that will keep you energized all morning long.

Check out the recipe…

Ingredients:

  • Pizza dough
  • 3 eggs
  • 1⁄4 cup milk
  • 6 ounces shredded yellow cheddar cheese
  • 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 ounces deli ham, sliced into 2-inch strips
  • 3 ounces cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 5 breakfast sausage links, chunked
  • 1⁄4 minced onion (optional)
  • chopped chives

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F
  2. Lay out premade pizza dough on a sheet pan.
  3. Beat the eggs with the milk, and pour over the center of the crust. Use your fingers, or a pastry brush to evenly disperse the egg.
  4. Evenly cover the egg with the strips of ham.
  5. Scatter the sausages, and if you want to have them, add the onion. Salt and pepper it lightly.
  6. Add a blanket of the Mozzarella cheese, then the Cheddar.
  7. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon.
  8. Put this wonderful pie in the oven on the center rack and check it after 15 minutes.

Recipe Source

What is your favorite kind of pizza? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness

Ask the Doctor – Who Do I Ask About My Cancer Treatment, My Plastic Surgeon, Breast Surgeon, Or Oncologist?

February 9, 2018 by

This week, Audrey Rowen, PA-C, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question about breast reconstruction.

Question: Who do I ask about my cancer treatment, my plastic surgeon, breast surgeon, or oncologist?

Answer: Thanks for reaching out to us! That is typically a question we would defer to an oncologist to answer as they can calculate your overall risk for recurrence and how different surgical vs. medical treatments can impact that risk. Technically a lumpectomy is only removing the cancerous area, leaving the rest of your breast tissue intact, so by surface area, a lumpectomy leaves more breast tissue that could potentially develop a new breast cancer, where a mastectomy is an attempt to remove all breast tissue.

The options for reconstruction are much more plentiful with mastectomy vs lumpectomy, but that shouldn’t necessarily sway you either way. If we can answer any reconstruction questions about whichever option for cancer treatment that you may choose, please let us know. But definitely, chat with your oncologist about what they feel is your best option for overall survival.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , , ,

Valentine’s Day Date Night Ideas

February 6, 2018 by


We can’t believe it’s already February and that one of our favorite holidays–Valentine’s Day–is just around the corner!

This super fun, love-filled holiday certainly snuck up on us. And it’s possible that it snuck up on you, too!

Not to worry though.

If you haven’t had the time to think about what you want to do this Valentine’s Day with the ones you love, we’ve got you covered.

Today, we’re going to share some affordable, fun, and easy-to-put-together Valentine’s date night ideas that can be enjoyed with anyone–from your significant other to friends and family.

Check it out…

Enjoy an At-Home Movie Night with Your Favorite Takeout

Going out for dinner and to see a show is always a great Valentine’s Day idea.
However, in an effort to make this classic date night activity a little more intimate and a whole lot more affordable, we suggest ordering your favorite takeout and renting a movie.

After all, what could be better than eating your favorite food in the comfort of your own pajamas while cuddling up in front of a fire and watching your favorite movie?

Not much if you ask us!

Turn Back Time with a Retro Date Night

Looking to turn back the time so you can relive every precious moment you’ve ever spent with the ones you love?

Well, unfortunately, we don’t have the technology to send you back in time. But, we can suggest you turn back the clock by going on a retro date night.

Going to the drive-in movies, roller skating rink, or out to your local speakeasy or soda shop are all great retro date night ideas that we think your partner, kids, or group of friends would love.

Cook a Swanky Homemade Dinner

Night after night of cooking spaghetti, grilled cheese sandwiches, or mac-n-cheese gets boring fast!

This Valentine’s Day, put down the macaroni and pick up some filet mignon, lobster tails, or whatever decadent food you desire.

It’s okay to splurge a little on the ones you love!

If you’re cooking for your partner and have kids, we advise that you put the kids down to sleep before you eat so you can enjoy a romantic dinner together.

If you feel bad leaving the kiddos out, cook them their own special meal earlier in the evening.

Or, if you’re hosting a Valentine’s dinner with friends or family members, we recommend that you ask everyone to bring a side dish or drinks, or chip in for the expensive entrees.

This way everyone can partake in a fun Valentine’s celebration without anyone being burdened by food costs.

Take an Overnight Road Trip

There’s nothing more fun than getting out of town for the night–which is exactly why we think an overnight road trip is a great Valentine’s date idea.

It’s as easy as finding a fun or romantic destination that’s only a few hours or less away from your home, packing up your bags, and hitting the road.

And, with many nice hotels averaging around $100 per night, it’s a surprisingly affordable activity as well!

If you’re traveling with a significant other, we recommend going somewhere you can book a couple’s massage, enjoy a spa day, or spend time doing an activity (like hiking or skiing) that you both love to do together.

If you’re traveling with your kids, spending the night at an indoor water park or visiting a museum is a great choice.

And last but not least, if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your best girlfriends, traveling somewhere you can get mani-pedis, grab a nice brunch, and do some shopping is always fun!

At-Home Spa Night

An at-home spa night is a great idea for both ladies and men!

And with so many spa products available at your local store, it’s easy to host an at home spa night without breaking the bank.

We recommend you grab these items at your local grocery store…

  • Candle
  • Nail polish
  • Bubble bath
  • Face mask
  • Massage oil

If you’re spending an evening with your significant other, break out the candle and spoil your partner with a luxurious massage and a warm, cozy bubble bath.

If you’re celebrating with your kids or girlfriends at home, mani-pedis and face masks are always a fun activity.

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day activities? Share them with us in the comments below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ask the Doctor – I Have Implants But They Feel Horrible And My Reconstruction Looks Terrible. Is There Any Hope After Reconstruction?

February 2, 2018 by

This week, Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question about breast reconstruction.

Question:  I have implants. Do not like them they feel horrible and my reconstruction looks terrible. Is there any hope after reconstruction. I have appointment 2/23/2018.

Answer:  Fortunately, your previous unfortunate experiences with implants in all probability do not affect our ability to get you a satisfactory reconstruction using only your own tissue.

I look forward to meeting with you!

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , ,