The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook

The recently published 4th Edition of Kathy Steligo’s The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook provides information on the most advanced techniques available for women facing a breast cancer diagnosis and is endorsed on its cover and filled with helpful contributions from our very own “Dr. D”. To find out more information, you can order the book here.

“Now in its fourth edition, The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook remains the definitive resource for straight talk about restorative breast surgery. Kathy Steligo’s overall message is wonderfully positive and should serve as a north star within the surrounding sea of information. Empower yourself with knowledge and be encouraged,” says Frank J. DellaCroce MD, Founding Partner of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery.

Pink Lemonade: A Jubilant Survivor’s Inspirational Story about Overcoming Life’s Challenges and Emerging Triumphant!

At the age of 45, with no family history Tamara received the staggering news that she had malignant breast tumors in both breasts. With a sense of humor and sarcastic wit Tamara shares the story of her 3 year struggle to accept the things she cannot change (her health), change the things she can (health care) and the wisdom to seek out the best treatment available. Now a jubilant survivor, Tamara, a patient of our Center is telling her story. The story of God’s faithfulness and fortification as she overcame serious health obstacles all while rearing a teenager! Not only does Tamara prudently share the gripping details of her battle, she provides insightful understanding to those facing a life-threatening disease. Perhaps even more importantly; to those who love them.

“After many nights of researching the web, reading everything I could get my hands on and attending conferences, I found an amazing website: BreastCancer.org. The discussion boards were full of women discussing their experiences. I must have read over five hundred discussions about Dr. DellaCroce and his team and what they were doing for women around the world. Women were flying in from all over the country as well as from Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil just to have him perform this surgery. This amazing doctor and his teams were rebuilding women who had been told they were damaged goods and couldn’t be rebuilt. The women were raving about this amazing place called the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in Louisiana. As soon as I went to their website, BreastCenter.com, I knew I had to get in touch with them immediately.”

Silver Linings Finding My Way Through Life’s Storms

This is a story of survival and self-discovery featuring one woman’s riveting, bluntly honest, and inspiring journey through an abusive childhood and a series of terrifying health crises that ultimately lead to a fulfilling family life. Hope, faith, perseverance, and humor are woven into the tapestry of this tale. Phoebe suffers through a childhood that is saturated with abuse; the ramifications persist into adulthood with more abuse and a sense of loss. But with courage and a strong drive to transform herself and her circumstances, she becomes an undaunted survivor, prepared for the challenges life continues to pose. She faces the terrifying, chaotic, and unpredictable effects of an invisible neurologic disease, multiple sclerosis, and diagnosis of a BRCA breast cancer gene. Though these medical crises force her to dip her toes into Hell on occasion, she finds a way to fight her way back–with instant gut-rolling humor, with deep empathy for other sufferers, and with a reliance on a rock-solid marriage, and faithful friends. Through her determination, resiliency, and hope for the marvelous things life can offer, she forges her physical weaknesses into an unconquerable super-ability to surmount the obstacles that block her way.

“In the Silver Lining, Encounters with Angels, Phoebe Walker courageously shares her life’s journey with others. It is sensitive and insightful, and serves as a beacon of hope for other who have their own crosses to bear.” – Dr. Scott Sullivan

Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction: What’s Right for You

This is a new book about one of the least-addressed issues women about breast cancer: the surgery nearly all women have and the reconstruction choices they face. The book, one of only a few written about breast cancer surgery options, features moving photos of women by Emmy-award-winning photographer Kathleen Galligan. It covers a wide range of issues, including the choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy; living flat-breasted or one-breasted, without reconstruction; and reconstruction breakthroughs of the last decade, including nipple-sparing mastectomy and tissue-based breast reconstruction. Anstett visited top centers to observe cutting-edge techniques and see how model programs operate.

P.S. You are Loved.

Living the Life of Inspiration, Living with Poland Syndrome

Living with a rare congenital condition that causes disfigurement can be both isolating and depressing. P.S. You are Loved is a collection of inspirational stories from real people all over the world that are living and thriving with a rare birth defect called Poland Syndrome. Included are stories from parents with children, men, women, and teens; tales that will touch your heart, move your soul and remind you that you are loved! There are also educational pictures and chapters from top doctors in the field of Poland Syndrome reconstruction, that offer behind the scenes knowledge you need to know. With 100% of all proceeds going to support people with Poland Syndrome. order the book here.

The Miracle Worker: “The female form is one of God’s greatest expressions of artistry in the universe. The effects of breast reconstruction, and the restoration of form lost, has the capacity to transcend the techniques themselves, providing a reclaiming of beauty and physical harmony, a return to wholeness that is greater than the sum of the individual efforts. I continue to be humbled by the impact this work has, both on the women I am privileged to take care of and those that are near and dear to them.” -Dr. Frank DellaCroce

The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes

How far would you go to save your life?

Superpowers stem from incredible sacrifices in The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes, a feisty and frank solo musical from performer/composer Eva Moon. Upon learning she had the BRCA genetic mutation, which spikes the risk of breast cancer to 87% and ovarian cancer to 55%, Moon had to make a life-altering choice: remove her healthy breasts and ovaries or face terrifying odds of cancer. Live music, warmth and generous amounts of humor are all expertly woven in this story of her decision — and the extraordinarily empowering results of that choice.

A one woman show delivered with so much raw emotion and intimacy that the audience may wonder whether they have accidentally wandered into a room where they overhear her private and innermost thoughts after learning of her BRCA gene mutation. Her journey carries us through the loss of her mother, to the discovery of her own personal superpower. Her presence on stage reflects the solace of the inner struggle, but the humor that she wraps around her musical delivery pulls the audience into her story as her life changing choices deliver triumph. It is about life, it is about death, and it is about the beauty of the human spirit, a must see.