My first and only child, Simon, was born in December of 2007.  We couldn’t believe that this blond haired, blue eyed baby was ours.  He was perfect. We were learning to be new parents and were sleep deprived but happy.  We laughed at all of our missteps, like the time when… Continue reading →

Many of the prayers for the High Holiday season bring challenges when you may be in the midst of treatment or trying to figure out how to quiet that fear that always lives within you that the cancer may return.  Sometimes, though, a prayer can be turned over on its head a… Continue reading →

For breast or ovarian cancer survivors or women at risk, an insurance claim denial can feel like a setback, but it can feel empowering knowing you have options. If you have a private health insurance and your insurance denies a claim payment or terminates health plan coverage,… Continue reading →

For my Bat Mitzvah project I chose to collect toys for the Busy Box program because I see from my mother (who works at Sharsheret) what a great organization Sharsheret is and how she helps so many mothers and their families. My mom has told me that when the children receive the… Continue reading →

The lumpectomy procedure (sometimes referred to as Breast Conserving Surgery, or BCS) is the treatment of choice for many people with early-stage breast cancer. The surgeon seeks to remove the malignant tumor, while leaving behind as much healthy breast tissue as possible.  … Continue reading →

This summer I had the privilege to work as an intern at Sharsheret. Prior to my internship, I was familiar with Sharsheret’s mission, support programs, and resources. I had attended the annual gala benefit, participated in Pink Day and Sharsheret Cake Wars. I was eager to… Continue reading →

There are promising developments in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as new protocols, drugs and advances in immunotherapy provide more tools in combatting the aggressive disease. TNBC is more likely to spread and recur than other breast cancers, and its… Continue reading →

Pies for Prevention, our Thanksgiving bake sale benefiting Sharsheret that’s now in its 11th year, gets bigger and better every year. In 2006 our mother, Stephanie Sussman, died of ovarian cancer; three years later her mother, our Grandma Ann Nadrich, succumbed to ovarian… Continue reading →

Genetic testing may be done for two different reasons in women with cancer.  The first type of test looks for hereditary cancer – it assesses if a cancer is inherited.  This kind of genetic testing is always done on normal cells, and may be done on blood or saliva.  Looking… Continue reading →

Each summer I volunteer to serve on the faculty of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Olin Sang Ruby Institute Camp for two weeks.  In November of 2018, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, which made going to camp unpredictable for the coming summer. As I spoke with my… Continue reading →

Improving lives and saving lives is a tag line of Sharsheret.  During my summer internship at this amazing organization I have had the privilege of watching this come true on a daily basis.  Growing up in Teaneck, Sharsheret was always a household name and I have previously… Continue reading →

Breast cancer treatment seems to be full of unexpected “surprises,” and one high on that list is “cording” (or Axillary Webbing Syndrome, if you want to be fancy). The symptoms are best described as a really specific sensation of pulling, the kind you can pinpoint and… Continue reading →

I am a physical therapist who primarily helps women rehab from breast cancer diagnosis. Last week, two separate women made a very similar comment that prompted this blog post. Both had recently undergone reconstructive breast surgery and now have their implants, and when they… Continue reading →

Throughout every stage of post-reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation is a valuable tool to maximize outcomes.  Mastectomy and other types of breast surgeries, can result in impaired function of the upper extremities. Breast Rehabilitation can be integral during the healing… Continue reading →

Many women facing breast cancer have questions about types of breast reconstruction – “What type is best for me What choices do I have” Breast reconstruction takes two forms. The first type, which is known as partial breast reconstruction, can be performed after… Continue reading →

Mindfulness: A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment. My cancer diagnosis, and the months and years that followed, have taught me the incredible value of mindfulness, particularly for combating the emotional roller coaster of cancer treatment… Continue reading →

In the blink of an eye, your world is turned upside down. You barely have time to digest the diagnosis before you are inundated with more information and reality than you can process. Treatments begin and a cascade of challenges follow for you and those who love and care for… Continue reading →

Are you being exposed to toxins that may increase your risk of breast cancer Chemicals found in personal care products have been shown in studies to mimic estrogen and may be associated with breast cancer. During vulnerable lifespan stages such as in-utero, infancy,… Continue reading →