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“Get Your Squeeze On!” How One Woman Is Spreading Awareness about Mammograms

October 5, 2011 by

When we heard that our former patient, Lee McCracken was launching her own line of tees to help raise money and spread the word for breast cancer awareness, we were thrilled!

We interviewed Lee on her new endeavor with her fabulous “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees and also discovered a little bit about her journey through breast cancer and life after cancer.

Read this inspirational interview below (NOTE: all images in this post were provided by and are owned by Lee McCracken):

1. You started the “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees. Tell us a little about this unique tee and what inspired you to create it? Where do funds go for those who purchase the tee?

I admit it—I NEVER liked getting a mammogram. But then I discovered I disliked breast cancer even more! I’m a two-year survivor and a former patient of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction. This year, my girlfriends and I decided to be a little more organized for the Komen Race for the Cure in our home city of Charlotte, NC. We needed a name and a T-shirt.

So, I began brainstorming.

I tried to think of a fun phrase that was upbeat and also inspirational. “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” popped into my head one day in May. Of course, the apostrophe in ma’am is the pink ribbon! My girlfriends encouraged me to merchandise the tee on a local, regional—and, dare I say, national—level.

The face of the under-insured and uninsured woman has changed. Given this economic climate, many women, naturally, are putting their children first before seeing to their own healthcare needs. I want to help fund mammograms for women who don’t have health insurance. Locally, 15% (or $3 of every $20 tee sold) is going to the Carolinas Breast Cancer Fund to help women who are qualified by the Mecklenburg County Health Department.

Individuals, groups, and retail outlets who sell the tee in other cities may designate a charity in their community to receive the funds. Anyone interested should connect with me via e-mail: sales@yesmaamtee.com.

yes maam tees

2. What do you hope to accomplish through selling the “Yes, Ma’am!” tee? In other words, what is your vision for the future of the tee and its effect on women?

Wouldn’t it be fun if women all over started wearing their “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees to the coffee house, grocery store, and gym? It makes a sassy statement in Southern style, and people take notice. I’ve seen women look at my tee and then kind of shake their head, almost to say, “Oh yeah, I need to schedule that.”

The Facebook page is generating interest from all over the country. The tee has fans from California to Oklahoma and Florida to Vermont.

A cancer nurse once told me that when breast cancer is caught in Stages 0-1, treatment can be so much easier and survival rates soar. Let’s strive for 100% early detection!

3. What inspired you to start your own freelance writing / editing business, Joyfullee Written, at the age of 49 and what do you provide others with through this business?

I’ve been writing and editing for more than 25 years, sometimes as a freelancer and other times on staff with a local lifestyle or parenting magazine. The formal launch this summer of Joyfullee Written was my birthday gift to myself. I will turn 50 in October and, not only have I survived breast cancer, but I have also survived several other heartbreaking losses. I’m also working on a book—an inspirational memoir about self-discovery and spiritual preservation through motherhood and menopause. Joyfullee Written comes from the fact that all my inspiration and strength spills from the fountain of God’s grace.

Joyfullee Written provides professional writing / editing services to magazines and businesses. I enjoy meeting people and helping them reach their audience through a well-crafted, targeted message. And, with a passion for lifelong learning, this is helping me to keep discovering new things every day.

4. What is the one thing you want all women to know about breast cancer?

The earlier it’s detected the more treatment options women have! I HATE when I hear someone say “I’m a year overdue for my mammogram.” My Stage 1 breast cancer was caught by a mammogram, and I was fortunate not to have to endure chemo or radiation. I know everyone is busy and mammos sometimes are uncomfortable, but it’s crazy to take such a risk.

All my family members and friends know: Get Your Squeeze On!

lee mccrackenAbout Lee McCracken:

Lee McCracken lives with her husband, Stuart, of 28 years in Denver, N.C., a suburb of Charlotte. She has a 19-year-old daughter, Megan, and a 10-year-old Bichon Frise, Benny. She enjoys gardening, photography, reading and traveling. Lee’s girlfriends keep her sane!

Love the Yes, Ma,am! mammograms are a must tees? Buy one today and help spread awareness for mammograms!

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Breast Cancer Survivor Shares Reconstruction Success Story

September 14, 2011 by

according to shirleyWe are so happy to share with you another In Her Words post, this time with Shirley Trainor-Thomas, a breast cancer survivor, Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, and reconstruction success story!

Shirley was a patient of ours at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction and we are delighted to share her story with you.

See below for the interview (*Don’t forget to download a copy of According to Shirley, a short story / information booklet written by Shirley about her breast reconstruction experience):

When you were diagnosed with breast cancer in your left breast, you chose to have a double mastectomy. What influenced this decision? In other words, what factors did you consider when deciding whether or not to have a double mastectomy?

“It’s not good, princess.” Those were the exact words Dr. Bob Flowers used when he called to tell me the results of my biopsy. I promptly informed him that it was not the right answer! And after I caught my breath, I asked what we were going to do about it. He said he would get me to a surgeon that very day. True to his word, my husband and I were in Dr. Stan Wilson’s office that afternoon and we started discussing options. I was a bit of a difficult case because many years ago I had Hodgkin’s lymphoma and radiation to my entire torso—which is what likely caused my breast cancer. There was a lot of discussion among physicians and tests that were taken to make sure we had all of the information we needed to make the best decision.

The waiting to get answers and opinions that would lead to a plan was excruciating. All I could think about was breast cancer and I spent endless hours on the Internet trying to learn everything I could about my diagnosis and choices. My husband and I were in a fog.

Long story short, it appeared that chemo and mastectomy was my option. But, Dr. Wilson wasn’t totally convinced chemo was the really indicated and sent my tissue to have the Oncotype test.   As we waited on those results, we were moving forward with the chemo option. On a Thursday evening, I was preparing for surgery to take place the next morning to have a port put in—and at 8:00 pm, Dr. Wilson called with the Oncotype results—they were great. We opted to not have chemo.

Because other cells in my breasts were described as “busy” by the pathologist, I knew there was a chance of cancer striking my other breast. Given the painful waiting and emotional impact we went through, my husband and I said that we need to eliminate the chance of having to go through this again. Playing into that decision was that I was aware of the DIEP reconstruction option. I’m lucky, not everyone knows about that option and most people have to do a lot of research to find it or the right surgeon. I knew right out of the gate that the only person I would allow to do this procedure was Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

2. What type of reconstruction surgery did you have and how do you feel about the results? Would you make the same decision again if you could go back?

I had DIEP. The great thing for me is that I went into surgery with bosoms and came out with bosoms—and a flat tummy. Bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction were done in one surgery.

Recovery was frustrating. As Dr. Kline kept telling me, “It’s a process.” No matter what he told me, I was convinced I would be back to normal in just a few weeks. Okay, so it took longer.  I got tired easily and couldn’t stand up straight for a while because of the stomach incision. But, my job requires travel and I was able to get on an airplane six weeks after surgery and get back to work.

My energy level took some time to return—it’s a big surgery. But, if faced with the same decision today, knowing what I know, I absolutely would do it again.

My bosoms are perfect.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough tummy fat to make them bigger than they were (my one chance—had I known, I would have eaten a lot more over the years!). Even my oncologist has marveled at how real they look and feel. But I would only allow Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie to do it. I’ve read some horror stories online about women who went to surgeons who either weren’t trained properly or didn’t have the skill level needed for microsurgery. I actually communicate with women around the country to share my experience and to alert them that they really need to investigate their surgeon’s success record.

3. You decided to write a short story / information booklet about your breast reconstruction experience titled According to Shirley. Why did you choose to write this book and what do you hope readers will get from reading it?

I love Dr. Kline and his entire staff. But, when planning for surgery they gave me a booklet of what to do and expect. After going through the experience, I let them know they left A LOT of information out! It was written by medical professionals who never actually experienced the procedure. When I told them that the information was technically good, but needed to include more practical information, they said fine—write one. So I did. It’s really meant to give women a better idea of what to expect throughout the process and to keep positive about the experience.

4. What advice would you give to women who have undergone a mastectomy or double mastectomy and are unsure about natural breast reconstruction?

Research, research , research. Unfortunately, not all plastic surgeons will present options that they are not capable of providing, such as DIEP. Talk to several surgeons and get a feel for the success rate of the surgeon. Talk to their patients. It’s a major procedure. Women need to know how many procedures the surgeon has done and what his or her success rates are.

Have you downloaded your copy of According to Shirley? If not, click here.

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

How One Cancer Survivor Embraces Life After Cancer

August 8, 2011 by
Debbie Woodbury

Debbie Woodbury

We are not only delighted, but we are also extremely honored to introduce our In Her Words guest blogger for today, Debbie Woodbury. As a cancer survivor, blogger, speaker, and advocate, Debbie has become an inspiration to all women—no matter their age or health history. In our interview with Debbie, she talks about her amazing blog, Where We Go Now, and discusses the benefits she, as well as her loyal readers, receive from reading her blog.

See below for our exclusive interview with Debbie:

1. Where We Go Now is a completely unique blog that acts like a community and resource for women. Who is Where We Go Now for and what benefits do you hope readers get from visiting your blog?

Thank you so much for inviting me to lend my voice to In Her Words.  WhereWeGoNow.com was created for cancer survivors exploring the gifts and losses of life beyond cancer. The idea for the site came from my own journey. About nine months after my mastectomy, I startled to realize I was keeping a tally in my head of the changes cancer was bringing me. Although I was excruciatingly aware of the losses, I was begrudgingly recognizing gifts. When I could ignore the gifts no longer, I decided to write them down side by side with the losses.

The losses were obvious, but there were a surprising number of gifts. Introspection, closer relationships, discovering yoga and meditation, making new friends, becoming aware of the present moment, learning to say “yes” to myself, and writing—just to name a few.

That list is now the heart of WhereWeGoNow.com. We’ve all taken major, earth-shattering losses, but I hope readers visiting WhereWeGoNow.com are inspired to recognize cancer’s gifts in their own lives. The most beautiful entries readers have posted are found at the Community Gifts and Losses List page. My Gifts and Losses List helped me find emotional healing and balance after cancer and I hope readers visiting WhereWeGoNow.com receive the same benefit.

2. What benefits do you receive from blogging about your life after cancer? (i.e. clarity, joy in helping others, etc.)

With each blog post I write, I still manage to surprise myself by writing down a thought I didn’t know I had until it hit the screen. Blogging brings me a deeper understanding of what I went through, and continue to experience, because of cancer.

Blogging also taught me that survivorship is a multi-faceted, life-long journey. I’ve blogged about my “beautiful,” eloquent cancer scars; yoga; how giving back to others helped me heal from cancer depression; awful summers and moving beyond them; my first survivors’ walk, the best thing anyone ever said to me about my cancer, and so much more.

Of all the posts I’ve written so far, however, I probably learned the most from the one I wrote about gratitude. I learned in writing that post, which I also gave as a speech, that I never would have recognized cancer’s gifts without gratitude, cancer’s first and most important gift to me.

The most wonderful part of blogging is getting comments back from my readers. It’s so gratifying to know my experiences have struck a chord with other survivors and perhaps made a difference in how they approach their survivorship. I will never say that cancer itself is a gift, because it is not. But recognizing the gifts it brought and continues to bring into my life is very healing for me.

Stay tuned for Part II of our interview with Debbie, which will publish this Wednesday, August 10!

About Debbie Woodbury:

Debbie Woodbury is a cancer survivor, blogger, speaker, and advocate. She entered the diagnostic and treatment phases of breast cancer in 2008. When she completed treatment in 2009, she was left to deal with cancer’s emotional impact. With the support of family, friends, and wonderful oncology therapists, she was able to create her Gifts and Losses List and eventually realize that “Survival > Existence.” The Gifts and Losses List became the heart of WhereWeGoNow.com, a community of survivors sharing the gifts and losses of lives lived beyond cancer.

Connect with Debbie on Twitter and Facebook.

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , ,

How One Entrepreneur Didn’t Let Breast Cancer Get In The Way of Her Success

July 25, 2011 by

Leslie with her girls.

When Grill Charms™ creator, Leslie Haywood, agreed to participate in a guest interview for our blog we were ecstatic to share her story with our blog readers. We KNOW you are going to love her story.

We’ve known Leslie Haywood for over a year now and, to date, she has been one of our favorite patients! When Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she came to the team at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction to receive a breast reconstruction procedure from Dr. Craigie. And something sort of funny happened. She made her first Grill Charms™ sale topless in the doctor’s office! But I won’t spoil the story for you (and there’s even a SPECIAL OFFER, just for you, our blog readers, at the end of this blog post!).

Read below for Part I of our exclusive interview with Leslie:

1. You are truly an inspiration to women who have been affected by breast cancer! You started your own company, Grill Charms™, and had mommy responsibilities, all while you were undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Tell us how you managed to stay positive and what inspired you to keep moving forward with your business during this difficult time.

Yes, two months into starting my company I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I can’t say it was much of a surprise. My first introduction to breast cancer was 1989 when at the tender age of 16 my 30-something-year-old parents told us that my mother had breast cancer. By the time they caught it, she was stage IV and the doctors told her she had 6 months to live.

In the months that followed,  my parents along with their best friends stayed up nights and weekends trying to figure out how my father, who was a master chief on nuclear submarines in the Navy, and only home 6 months out of the year was going to raise his 10, 12 and 16 year- old daughters alone. I had been living with the reality that there was a high probably that someday; I too might be facing this disease. The fact that it happened shortly after I started on my quest to conquer the world one cookout at a time, was a bit of a nuance however!

It wasn’t long when the sentinel node biopsy showed that THIS cancer would not kill me. We knew early on that I would not have to make plans for my daughters’ lives without a mother. I think it was during this time that people started thinking I was in denial. Here I was, diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34 with 1 and 3 year old daughters, a brand new company and yet I was truly the happiest women on earth. “You mean to tell me doctor, that I have breast cancer and you didn’t give me an expiration date??!?!”

Non terminal breast cancer . . . what a precious, precious gift I was given! Now that it is all said and done, I’ve got two brand new pieces / parts (and let’s face it . . .  after nursing two babies, they weren’t much to write home about anyway), a bonus tuck (THANK YOU DR. CRAIGIE!) and most importantly . . . I get to live. I always viewed them as a pair of B-sized ticking time bombs anyways, so good riddance. There was certainly no time to dwell on THAT, I had steaks to save and taste buds to rescue! By the way . . . about my mom . . . the doctors underestimated her… my mother is still here, 23 years cancer free!

2. Grill Charms™ are adorable and perfect for individuals who love to host outdoor parties. What are Grill Charms and how do they work?

Why thank you! Grill Charms™ offers an entirely new concept in outdoor entertaining. They are dime-sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in your food BEFORE grilling. The serrated stems hold them in securely while flipping, moving, and grilling food like you normally do. Grill Charms™ are you use in food prior to cooking to distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures, or to avoid health or allergy issues. Grill Charms™ identifies your food before, during, and after grilling so when dinner comes off the grill, simply look for your Grill Charm™, and everyone knows which one is theirs. With four collections for different purposes, they are the perfect gift for Father’s Day, birthdays, groomsmen, Valentine’s Day, other holidays, and housewarming or hostess gifts—you name it!

3. You started a Pink Collection of Grill Charms™, which we absolutely love! Tell us about these charms and where the proceeds go.

For a truly unique grilling and dining experience, The Pink Collection has six different charms so food can be personalized prior to grilling to distinguish spices and flavors, to avoid health, or allergy concerns or for any reason you can dream up! There is a hot new party trend with this collection, and that is the “Season Your Own” cook-out. This is where the host provides the meat, the guests pick their Grill Charm™, then choose from a variety of sauces or rubs that the host has set out. Guests flavor their meat any way they wish and nobody, including the grill master, needs to know or care how it’s seasoned.

 

The Pink Collection

The Pink Collection of Grill Charms™

When the food is served off the grill, folks simply look for their Grill Charm™. With people watching every penny, it’s more important than ever that when they splurge on buying that filet, or carefully choose that chicken breast to spend their hard-earned money on, that it’s cooked and seasoned exactly the way they want it.  And with The Pink Collection, I donate 10% of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as well as my local Komen Foundation.

This collection also helps with health or allergy issues. With Grill Charms™, if someone has a specific health or dietary need (such as needing a no-sodium, low-sugar, or possibly a gluten-free spice alternative), Grill Charms™ makes it easy for people to identify their food before, during, and after grilling, without any confusion or effort on the part of the grill master.

About Leslie Haywood and Grill Charms™:

Leslie Haywood is founder and President of Charmed Life Products, LLC, and inventor of Grill Charms™. Leslie was a stay-at-home mom when a very spicy light bulb moment thrust her into the entrepreneurial ring. During the start up phase of her company, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but still managed to launch her product on store shelves within 18 months and is now sold in over 400 stores internationally. She has been featured numerous times on CNBC, various local and regional news programs, as well as ABC’s prime time reality TV show Shark Tank seasons I and II. Her story and product have publicized in such magazines as Everyday with Rachael Ray, Parenting magazine, Health magazine, Inventors Digest, and was also featured on The Today Show. All the while she is mindful of “the cause,” whether it’s giving back through “The Pink Collection” of her gift and grilling accessory Grill Charms™, or her work as Honorary Chair for The Race for the Cure .

Leslie’s Special Offer:

***Put “natural” in the coupon code of www.grillcharms.com for 10% off!***

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Journey You Don’t Have to Take Alone

April 27, 2011 by
breast cancer survivor

Shirley's book cover

Dear Sister in this Journey,

My name is Shirley. I have just undergone a double mastectomy and breast reconstructive surgery as a result of having breast cancer. I am one of the fortunate ones who did not have to endure chemotherapy, as well.

My cancer was in my left breast, but I chose to have a double mastectomy to mitigate future risk of recurrence.  Based on the reputation and firsthand knowledge I had of Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie, I chose the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction to take care of my small, but precious bosoms.

Once the decision was made to move forward with bilateral DIEP reconstruction surgery, I was given a patient handbook that provided information about what to do pre and post surgery. No offense to the medical team that put together a technically comprehensive document, but boy did they leave out a lot of information that would have been helpful! The kinds of things that, really, only a patient would know.

So, I thought I’d write about my personal experiences to share with others—maybe it will help those who are about to undergo a DIEP reconstruction procedure to be more prepared and know more about what to expect. If you would like a copy of my booklet, get in touch with the center at www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com, they’ll be happy to give you one.

It’s all from my perspective and I hope it helps in understanding what will happen. And I hope it helps keep others positive as they face the surgery.

Good luck on your Journey!

Most sincerely,

Shirley Trainor-Thomas

Breast Cancer Survivor

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor

Reconstruction Success Story

Did you find Shirley’s story inspirational and know of others who will? Share it with your friends on Facebook.

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Celebrating Those Who’ve Won the Battle Against Breast Cancer

April 4, 2011 by

It was an afternoon of motivation, education, and celebration at the Annual Komen Lowcountry Survivor Celebration held at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Charleston, SC, on March 27. Survivors, along with their friends and families, gathered together for some afternoon tea to celebrate those who have won the battle against breast cancer—both here, in the Lowcountry, and around the world.

Guests enjoyed entertainment by singers from the Charleston County School of the Arts and Jazz Saxophonist Devon Gary. Survivor, Alex Costanzo, provided some laughs and good cheer with her “Top 10 Perks of Being a Breast Cancer Survivor.” Dr. Gretchen Meyer from Lowcountry Hematology & Oncologist provided the medical update portion of the program while Mona Palmore-Haynes stirred the crowd’s hearts and minds with her motivational speech about her own breast cancer experience.

The program closed with a moving candle lighting ceremony honoring the survivors in attendance. Congratulations to Gene Glave, who was the well deserved recipient of this years’ Charlene Daughtrey Award for her work with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure—Lowcountry Affiliate.

Thanks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure—Lowcountry Affiliate for such a truly beautiful and memorable day and The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction for their sponsorship.

See more images from the event below:

breast cancer events

 

breast reconstruction surgeon

Dr. Richard Kline and Chris Murkami RN

Dr. Richard Kline

Dr. Richard Kline and his nurse, Chris Murkami RN

Visit our Facebook page to view videos from the event!

Filed Under: All Things Charleston, Upcoming Events Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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