Testimonials

"... I am a 32 year old mom of 3 with stage 3 breast cancer. I was diagnosed in July of 06. I wanted to tell you that your book and pictures helped me so much. I was thinking of doing the  same thing for my community. I know that when I was looking into reconstruction, I could not find any pictures or information telling what to expect or what it looked like during each stage! I just had my double mastectomy Nov. 21st 06 and did the soft tissue expanders. It was nice to be able to see your progress and relate to it! If I can help in anyway or "donate" myself in anyway to do anything please let me know.  Thank you so much for making this book!!"  -- Emily

"First of all I would just like to thank you all for the work you are doing and the awareness you are bringing to the subject of mastectomy and reconstruction. I am a 28 year old woman, married with 3 children, and a BRCA1 gene mutation carrier. I am in my 1st year of law school at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and after my 1st set of finals in December, I will be having a double prophylactic mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders. I am scared to death, but also know that this is the best decision for myself and my family to reduce my risks. Watching the slide show was extremely emotional but also comforting. Thank you. I am more than willing to help spread this message in ANY way that I can. I would use any materials to help Omaha and its surrounding areas to be more aware and accepting of this subject. Please let me know what I can do. Thank you again" -- Tricia

"I am not asking for information or to share my story. I do not have breast cancer, but I saw your slide show and heard your age and was truly amazed. I am 35. I just wanted to tell you that I think you are absolutely amazing to be willing to share in the way you have. While I don't have breast cancer hearing your age is frightening to me and I want to thank you so much." -- Catherine

"Dear Debbie, I just saw your feature on the lumptolaughter.org website. In July I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was diagnosed 5 days before my 44th birthday. I was scared to death about how I would look after the surgery. I had opted to go the implant route w/ immediate reconstruction. Somehow, I found the myselftogetheragain website (this was before I knew about LumptoLaughter.org).  I just want you to know that seeing those pictures of how you looked right after surgery, and how you looked at the end did so much to comfort me and ease my mind. People do not realize how totally foreign and mind boggling the thought of having your breasts taken off is until you have gone thru it. You think about it and try to wrap your head around it, but it is totally out of the realm of your experience. Trying to imagine what it feels like to be without breasts for me was kind of like trying to imagine what it would be like to walk on Mars. You think you might know what it could be like, but you know ahead of time that you really dont know. Reading about your experience gave me a glimpse into what I would be going through, and it helped a lot.  I am a Christian, and I had a lot of people praying for me, and I am doing very well now. I am going for permanent implant surgery on December 12th and am having a hysterectomy on Dec 19th. If you are a praying person, please pray for me. Thank you so much for opening up your personal experience to other women. It was a very generous and unselfish act..."  -- Elizabeth 

"Dear Debbie: Thanks for your strength and insight. While I am almost done with the reconstruction process (following a bilateral mastectomy in September of 2004), your photo journal will help others tremendously (I have my permanent silicone gel implants and hope to finish the tattooing and nipple reconstruction before the end of the year). I too searched the internet/publications for such documentation and was unable to find anything comprehensive. Peace, Blessings and good health!"  -- Monique

"Your book and story have been very helpful to me.  I was diagnosed on Sept. 18 at 35 years old.  I had my double mastectomy on Oct. 5.  So far I have had two expansions and I am due for the third just before Thanksgiving.  My plastic surgeon is Dr. Rhett High and his nurse gave me your book.  I am a Social Worker.  I am married with 
one son and I live in Louisburg.  Thank you for being brave enough to give so many of us that visual image that 
I so needed."-- Velvet