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If your loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you will want to support her through treatment, which may include DIEP reconstruction surgery. Perhaps your mother, spouse, sister, or friend is the patient. You may be worried about her wellbeing and want to do everything in your power to help her through this process. For your loved one, your support means a lot and can truly help her heal. The Diagnosis After your loved one receives a breast cancer diagnosis, she may react in an emotional way. Getting this sort of news is a difficult thing and most women definitely need a shoulder to cry on. This is a time to listen, give extra TLC, offer to drive her to appointments, and most of all, give her your time and attention. Tell her that you are there for her and will be by her side during the treatments which may include chemotherapy, radiation, mastectomy, and DIEP reconstruction. The Treatment Treatment varies from patient to patient and will depend on the type of cancer, what stage it's in, and the individual circumstances. The typical regime includes chemotherapy, radiation, mastectomy or lumpectomy, and a form of reconstructive surgery. Chemotherapy is medication given to kill the cancer cells and is delivered through a shot, or inserted into the veins through an I.V., or given in pill form. Radioactive waves are used to shrink tumors and kills cancer cells, as well. Mastectomy and lumpectomy are surgical options to remove the tumor and cancerous cells by scalpel. During this time, your loved one may lose her hair and be more tired than usual. It's helpful if you can drive her to appointments, cook her favorite meals, and bring her flowers. Reconstructive Options There are different options when it comes to rebuilding the breast. Some patients opt for using implants to create a natural looking bustline. Others choose a flap surgery such as DIEP reconstruction. These initials stand for deep inferior epigastric perforator. This method involves relocating some of the patient's abdominal skin to the chest area to create mounds to replace the lost breasts. In order for this operation to be a possibility, the patient must have enough belly skin and fat to spare. She also must have a healthy blood supply to have an optimum outcome. One of the benefits of this type of flap procedure is that the woman ends up with a flatter belly in addition to having natural appearing breasts. There are cosmetic procedures that can be performed to create a nipple including tattooing the area to resemble an areola. You can show support for your loved one by admiring her new figure and reconstructed breasts. When a woman's diagnosed with breast cancer, it makes a huge difference to have a supportive loved one helping her get through the treatments. From the diagnosis to the DIEP reconstruction, having you by her side will help her keep her spirits up and heal more quickly. A DIEP reconstruction can be an important part of the recovery process. Before you help your loved one make a decision about this procedure, you should visit: http://www.breastcenter.com/breast-reconstruction-procedures/stacked-diep-reconstruction/.
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