Episode 50: A Young Nurse and Her DIEP Flap Story

This episode of the DiepCJourney podcast shares a fascinating story of a young woman who graciously and professionally takes us through her Journey from being diagnosed with breast cancer, cold capping, the affect on her family and young daughters, and to the story of her DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

She never felt a lump. She was enrolled in a high-risk program based on her family history. Because of this, she found the cancer early.

My guest is Lacey Terpstra-Reid. She is a registered nurse residing in Guthrie Oklahoma. In November 2022 she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer at age 33. Lacey has over 10 years of bedside experience as a nurse from working in a cardiac ICU where she cared for countless ECMO patients to her current role as an outpatient surgery recovery RN. She is a young mom to 3- and 2-year-old girls. She has spent this past year navigating her cancer treatments while chasing toddlers.

Lacey was familiar with the science behind the T-Stat flap monitoring system. In her work as an ECMO nurse she understands the parralels and how the oxygenation and blood flow that the T-Stat monitor used to monitor her flaps. 

Links to other topics we discuss in the podcast:

ERAS Protocol in Breast Reconstruction with Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo

DiepCJourney Facebook Support Group

Dr. Nabil Habash

How to Prepare for and Have a Shared Decision-Making Conversation