Myself: Together Again

07/13/2022

Hi friends, I haven’t been on this page in awhile since “Myself: Together Again” is no longer an active non profit. I wanted to come on today and share that I am 18 years cancer free and needing some major work done to my breast reconstruction. Because I’m going to take on an implant exchange surgery which will involve cleaning out scar tissue, replacing implants, fat grafting, liposuction under the arm pits, etc.. I thought I would let folks know here that if you want to follow along I will be documenting the surgery over on my Instagram
Most folks here on this page know that I started “Myself:Together Again” in 2005 because we created books to show women the true process of breast reconstruction- 18 years ago pictures of the process were not available so once I was diagnosed at age 32 in 2004 I decided that I would document my double mastectomy/breast reconstruction surgery and once we saw the pictures we knew they needed to be a resource for women and that was how the non profit began. From 2005-2015 I advocated for doctor’s offices and hospitals all over the world to carry our books for women so that women would not have to go through the uncertainty and unknowing that I did.
Six years after my book launched we worked to create our 2nd book “Sherri’s Story” which documented a prophylactic double mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction.
We worked to get that book circulating to keep up with all of the changes happening in breast reconstruction and we were so fortunate to have the backing of Allergan (Natrelle), (implant manufacturer, as our number 1 sponsor.
By 2015 I was tired and I missed time with my own family and I needed to stop working and focus a little more on me. Since 2015 a lot has happened in my life and this year I turned 50 and decided that it was time to address the wear and tear that is involved with 17 year old implants on a girl that was young when they were put in- skin elasticity changes, pregnancies, gaining weight due to medical menopause, etc.. My surgery is in 5 weeks and I decided that since not much is discussed about this “elective” procedure, maybe I should share the process on my Instagram.
I want to thank this group again for being so involved and supportive of our non profit all those years ago and I look forward to reconnecting over on Instagram.
- Debbie

03/27/2019

Words from a surgeon I respect below👇🏻 PLEASE ask questions about implant safety when you are consulting with your plastic surgeons. Not necessary for panic right now OR immediate explant for those of us who have implants BUT it’s important to stay in the know and I will do my part to keep folks informed.

06/03/2015

For women who have been told that reconstruction may not be possible due to radiated tissue- please read!
http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/lifestyle/health/2015/05/new-hope-for-breast-reconstruction.html

03/12/2015

Palbociclib is a drug for people with metastatic breast cancer that has been approved by the FDA! Palbociclib is to be used in conjunction with Femara.

02/16/2015

Trying to give someone peace of mind while waiting on results..

02/03/2015

Wonderful news for women diagnosed with TNBC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A major breakthrough could be coming for patients who suffer from a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer commonly referred to as "Triple Negative." Researchers at the Mayo Clinic

12/31/2014

Thought I would share this e mail I received today. Very proud moment:
Dear Debbie,
My name is Rachel, I am a breast cancer survivor, after a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.
I am also the founder and the director of Hadadi – the Center for the Breast Cancer Survivor in Jerusalem, Israel.
Hadadi is a comprehensive support center for women, from the moment of diagnosis onward. We provide accompanying volunteers, psycho therapy, support group, body-mind activities, and much more. All of the services are provided free of charge, to allow the women to participate in every program they want without the need to consider the expenses.
One of the things we do is meet with women prior to surgeries and help them make decisions that are right for them.
During these meetings we use your book a lot.
We got one copy of the booklet from a former patient.
As I mentioned above, we don't charge the patients, and we survive on very little donations.
I would like to ask you to give us a few more booklets so we can let the women take them home, look at the pictures and get used to the look, before the surgery.
I hope you can do this for us.
I can be contacted at: [email protected]
If you want to see a little bit more about us, you can watch what we do here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTmmZiKLXTo
All the best,
Rachel

הצצה לפעילות היומיומית שלנו בהדדי - המרכז למתמודדת עם סרטן שד A Peek at daily activities at Hadadi - the Center for the Breast Cancer Survivor

12/22/2014

Article applies to women over age 65 with early breast cancer:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/12/08/369346049/doctors-are-slow-to-adopt-changes-in-breast-cancer-treatment