Thank you EASTMEADOWPATCH & Michael Ganci
Greatest Person: Sharon Stanley Teaches by Example
Despite undergoing multiple surgeries due to having the BRCA1 gene, she spends her time educating young people.
- By Michael Ganci
- September 14, 2011
Not even multiple surgeries could slow Sharon Stanley down.
Stanley, 53, and a Westbury resident whose son attends W.T. Clarke Middle School, has the BRCA1 gene, which gives women a higher than normal chance of having breast cancer.
After losing both her mother and grandmother to ovarian cancer, being tested was a "no-brainer."
"When my mother was dying, she told me to have my babies and then get tested," Stanley said.
Sure enough, doctors found the gene, which led to Stanley getting her ovaries removed in 2003. That wasn't all, though, as doctors found something on a mammogram in 2008. The doctor referred her to a surgeon, who recommended a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction.
"I was blown away," Stanley said. "Suddenly my odds of getting breast cancer went from 30 percent to 60-80 percent. Normal women only have a 12 percent chance of getting breast cancer."
In June of 2009, Stanley had the initial procedure to have her breasts removed. Expanders were put in. Then, in October, Stanley had a second surgery to put in silicone implants.
"I don't regret having the surgery," Stanley said. "I regret that I had to have it."
Stanley says that she was often in pain throughout the process and several months after, but she found support groups that helped her get through the process. One such group, previvorsandsurvivors.com, is based on Long Island, and Stanley is now the second vice president.
Stanley works as an elementary school teacher in Queens. She helps children with learning disabilities and language difficulties "function in the regular education classroom setting."
Stanley's son is involved in the music programs at Clarke Middle School, and she's proud to be in the East Meadow School District.
"When my husband and I were researching school districts, we were looking at reading and mathematics scores," Stanley said. "It never occurred to us to investigate music programs! We feel like we lucked out in this district."
Stanley, who admits she loves Eisenhower Park, and especially the Carltun, says there is one way you know you're from East Meadow.
"You no longer can eat chicken from Boston Market or any other place," she said. "Now we have Zorns!"
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THANK YOU Sewanhaka H.S. Cosmetology-A JOB WELL DONE!
YOU & YOUR STUDENTS ARE THE BEST….THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU…We are so grateful!
You put alot of time and effort into this ♥ and we all had a good time.
Most of all…
WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR MOST GENEROUS DONATIONS
#BRCA #BREAST CANCER #OVARIAN CANCER #PREVIVORS #SURVIVORS
BRCA PREVIVORS AND SURVIVORS—-check this out!
 I just finished reading a book from one of our BRCA previvors and survivors members and I wanted to recommend it to anyone facing the preemptive decision of having a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and or oophorectomy.
The book is: BEYOND THE PINK MOON by Nicki Boscia Durlester. You can follow our link for all information. If you would like an autographed copy of the book, you can e-mail her directly at: nicki@beyondthepinkmoon.com. Shipping will also be free.
Please order her book, as it is a very inspiring account and honest look at the issues we face. Nicki, has also offered to give back to our previvor and survivor community, by donating 25% of the books sales if you mention previvorsandsurvivors.com.
 It is her personal memoir of legacy, loss and survival.  I found the story to be unbelievably riveting. No matter how many stories I hear from our members, it always moves me to hear someone’s journey and what brought them to our site. We, who are diagnosed positive with the BRCA gene mutation, all have the same fears for ourselves and our families, and somehow having this sisterhood here, brings us all together.
As always,
Be well you all…..
Tobey
IT’S CALLED NEOPEC
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Melbourne Trial of Breast Regrowth Surgery Neopec
11/11/09 reported by: Grant McArthurfrom perthnow
There’s a STEM CELL BREAKTHRU STUDY going on in Australia to help breast
Cancer patients, BRCA patients GROW BACK THEIR OWN BREAST TISSUE.
If this study is successful it could replace implants & breast reconstructions going on today.
The procedure uses the stem cells of our own fat to regenerate the growth of new breast tissue.
Follow this link for the entire story & video: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26338552-5017320,00.html
Breast Reconstruction Study Out of Toronto
10/18/09 submitted by: Toni Zhong M.D. FRCS(C)
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
If you are living in Canada and need to have a mastectomy in the near
future, you need to know about this new breast reconstruction study out of
Toronto. This study is especially suited to BRCA carriers. We have just
opened enrolment at University Health Network and Women’s College for an
exciting randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes following one-stage
direct to permanent implant using Alloderm compared to the traditional
two-stage TE/implant reconstruction at the same time as skin-sparing
mastectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy. This is a fully funded study that
is supported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and we have full
ethics approval at our four participating sites (Mount Sinai, Women’s
college, Princess Margaret, and Toronto General Hospital). Currently in
Canada, only very limited hospitals have the authority to use Alloderm
because of its high price, but it is approved by Health Canada and has been
used in the US for many years with an excellent track record. The
bottomline is that Alloderm has the potential to convert the traditional
practice of 2-stage implant recon to only one stage with better safety and
aesthetics than without this material. If you join this study, you will
have a 50:50 chance of receiving the Alloderm implant reconstruction. But
even more importantly, there are many benefits to being in a high-quality
clinical trial including being treated by the most experienced implant
breast reconstruction surgeons in Canada.  In summary, this study will give
high level evidence that can have important implication on QOL of breast
recon patients and potentially influence our current surgical practice.
Please visit our website at http://www.torontoalloderm.ca or call our
research coordinator Mrs. kate Butler at 416-340-4800 ext 2343 or email:
kbutler@uhnres.utoronto.ca.
ORAL HEALTH & YOUR BREAST HEALTH
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
As a dental hygienist, I’ve been meaning to put this article together for some time. Since it’s breast cancer awareness month—now is the time!
Your breast implants & premedication – or the necessity to take antibiotic one hour before your dental appointment:
Some Doctors feel this is necessary & some do not. Your mouth is full of bacteria (some good-some bad) & when you have dental work that causes bleeding the bacteria in your mouth travel through your blood & can cause an infection to your breast implant. ASK YOUR SURGEON IF YOU NEED TO “PREMEDICATE” BEFORE DENTAL TREATMENT!
See your dentist BEFORE chemotherapy treatment. If you need dental work during chemotherapy treatment your oncologist & your dentist need to speak prior to treatment. Chemotherapy lowers your white blood cells (which protect you against infection) & again, some dental procedures stir up bacteria which can stir an infection in your bloodstream. If your immune system is lowered because of lowered white blood cell counts your dentist needs to know! ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR ONCOLOGIST WHEN YOU ARE UNDER TREATMENT BEFORE YOU DO DENTAL WORK!
Sometimes chemotherapy can also cause mouth sores & inflammation. When the mouth is dry bacteria act up & can cause gum & teeth problems. It is very important to practice good oral hygiene (brush, floss, rinse) so you can keep your bacteria levels as low as possible in your mouth. Advise your dental professional if you have any problems. Sometimes a fluoride treatment or dry mouth therapy can be recommended or applied during your visit. Biotene or alcohol free mouthwashes may help.
Lastly—bisphosphonates (drugs used to fight bone loss!) All I can say about this is again…let your dental professional know if you are taking any. If you notice any changes in your mouth while taking bisphosphonates let your medical professionals know.
Be well you all!
Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction:
There are two popular types of reconstruction – Implants and Tram Flap. We can discuss other options in the forums, but as a recap, I am only discussing the more popular procedures. With implant reconstruction there are three different stages of surgery. Stage one happens initially upon mastectomy. A tissue expander is put in to stretch the skin. The second stage of surgery is the implant exchange, and the third stage of surgery is nipple & areola reconstruction. The tram flap procedure involves you getting your breast reconstruction from your belly fat. You get new boobs and a tummy tuck too! Other doctors may use different techniques during reconstructive surgery. Always check with your physician! You should also discuss pros and cons of one reconstruction over another. Tram flap is one big surgery and then another procedure for nipple and areola reconstruction, implants are three surgeries. Tram flap has a longer recovery time than implants- do you want that? You could discuss possible complications of the surgery. You could discuss lifespan of one procedure over another, recovery time of one procedure over another, pain involved. Which procedure will give YOU a nicer figure afterwards? Where will your scars be? Do you want grafted nipples, or tattooed ones? If you choose grafted- where is the donor site? Saline or silicone implants? This is YOUR choice! Enjoy yourself—this is your new bod!