I’m thrilled to be speaking with educator and two-time breast cancer survivor, Terri Coutee about empowering patients to make their own best healthcare decisions.

After knowing she faced a double mastectomy, there was hope. Her breast surgeon educated her and gave her all her options for her breast reconstruction. Terri shares how she was one of the minority of fortunate patients provided with education about implants as well as autologous reconstruction. Her breast surgeon proceeded to tell her that DIEP flap breast reconstruction was considered the “gold standard” because it uses your own tissue adding that it was also a highly intricate procedure requiring a specialist in plastic surgery called a microsurgeon. It seemed like such an easy decision for her but an easy decision turned into hours and days spent trying to find a highly successful and qualified microsurgeon to perform her procedure to restore what cancer had taken. The procedure and emotional support she received from the plastic surgeon and his office inspired Terri to begin supporting other women through their own reconstruction process which led to the founding of DiepCjourney Foundation.

For more about DiepCjourney Foundation visit here.