Lily Pod: All things Lymphedema
Lily Pod is dedicated to increasing much needed awareness of Lymphedema and associated health conditions. Through discussions with patients, therapists, associations, manufacturers and other supportive entities, Lily Pod is dedicated to improving care for those suffering with this relentless condition of lymphedema.
Lily Pod: All things Lymphedema
Lily Pod 8: Mandi Bishop of Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation
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As we approach for October is right around the corner. Breast cancer awareness is vital today as it was 20 years ago. There's still no cure. As a lymphedema therapist, I frequently work with breast cancer survivors who had developed lymphedema after their cancer ordeal. Lily clinics goal and mission is to raise awareness about lymphedema and that includes breast cancer awareness as well. Mandi Bishop from Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation to educate us about the foundation and how our benefits community member members. Please consider donating directly to the foundation at www.VBCF.org
I can't remember Virginia. No, I am not. I'm in Roan of Virginia. This is Alvin. Virginia Brothers Foundation. And today we have a very special part where we will be talking about the board of directors for Virginia Brotherhood Foundation. As well as there's going to be a one road that we will be attending. And we will also donate a good amount of money for their options and a lot of money to the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. And my goal is to sell a jar of money. And I want you to be that person who can buy the most expensive jar of money. Let's hear from Mandy Bishop and this lily pod about the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and how they benefit the community and where your money goes. Mandy, thank you for being here. Take it away. Let us know a little bit about yourself.
SPEAKER_01I appreciate that. I am Mandy Bishop, and I am actually a almost 22-year breast cancer survivor. So otherwise, I am a wife, a mom, a brewery and brew pub owner, business owner, entrepreneur. So I have I wear many hats and I sit on the board for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. This is um, I'm almost into my finishing my first year. So I have been doing that now for almost 12 months.
SPEAKER_00So as a fellow business owner, you have a lot on your plate. I can tell you that right now. I just have one thing going that's multiplied into a bunch of things, but um very busy, which is a good thing. Um so for someone listening to this podcast today who's never heard of Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, what is its mission?
SPEAKER_01Um, well, its mission is actually very simple, and it's to eradicate breast cancer. Um, but what they do is they provide advocacy and um access to diagnostic treatments, just to some funding for that for people that are underinsured or just uninsured. They have um programs that help them to get routine mammograms, any type of diagnostic treatment that they would need. Um, and then they also they work with the legislature in Richmond too to make sure that bills and laws continue to be passed and kept that will allow that funding to continue.
SPEAKER_00Can you that's amazing? Advocacy is is incredibly important um in my line of work too. The the lymphedema as a condition is very much underdiagnosed and and mistreated because of the ignorance um and just lack of awareness. And and the more awareness that we have with both of these conditions, the better off people are gonna be and the healthier we're gonna be as a whole as well. What are some um so other than the advocacy, which is incredibly important, uh, what are some of the specific services that if if a family were to call, yeah, well, what is that process like? So does a person call the agency or or they set up through their doctor, or how does that happen?
SPEAKER_01You can contact them directly. You contact Virginia Breast Cancer Cancer Foundation. Um, you can go on their website or you can call, it'll direct you as to how you want to do that. And you've got it's got education. So, I mean, if you are thinking maybe something is wrong, if you're not sure um if you would have would qualify to get some of the assistance, it will tell you that. It will walk you through some self-test tips um and then where to go from there. So, yes, you just contact them and they are gonna point you in the right direction, whether you are wondering about a diagnostic, excuse me, diagnosis, how to get um some testing, or if you're a survivor and just need some support groups or additional information on things that happen, you know, after your diagnosis and after your treatment is finished, because there's just there's things lymphedema plays a big part in that too for after the treatment is done. That's you know, that's something that can always arise after. So education and that's gonna point you every where you need to go from there once you get on the site.
SPEAKER_00So you you have an interesting perspective, and and um I like doing these because you know it's nice to meet somebody new and you and you you learn from them. But um, so as a breast cancer survivor um and also someone who's who's active within that community, um, what are some of the challenges that that these patients uh face?
SPEAKER_01Oh gosh, well, um they can start it from right from diagnosis. A lot of it, um, in my case, I was I was younger, and breast cancer is being diagnosed much younger now than it was in the past. Even getting that diagnosis is sometimes a struggle. So from the point of diagnosis all the way through, they need help and support throughout. So, I mean, there are there's aftercare if you've had reconstructive surgery, if you have lymphedema, there's lymphedema management that has to be done. There is a it takes a very big emotional toll on you. So there's some mental health support and just support groups in general. That's just a huge thing. And there's not um always a lot of them, or people don't know how to access them. So that's this will help with that, finding where you need to go to find some support that you need because it does, it carries through. It's not just affecting you, it's affecting your entire family. Um, anybody that loves you does not want to see you go through that and know what you're going through. And they want to help any way that they can. So it gets everybody some information that they can use to support throughout the treatment process.
SPEAKER_00So it sounds like the support from Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation isn't necessarily just for the patient, but also the support system within around that patient.
SPEAKER_01Yes, absolutely. They've got pay they've got information for family members, caregivers, um, the patient themselves. Absolutely. It's got information that can help anyone surrounding that patient to help them get the care that they need.
SPEAKER_00Can you give us an idea of some specific supports um maybe a family might get?
SPEAKER_01Sure. They are if you're newly diagnosed, they send out a newly diagnosed kit, which has a lot of education and um unbiased medical information in there. So if you are thinking you want to go run one route, but everyone has said no, you're gonna get both takes on that. So you're gonna see. So that's got some information that a newly diagnosed patient newly diagnosed patient can go through and look at. Um there are there's information for the support groups, there's information for clinics, there's there's always educational webinars and events that they can attend and um caregivers, spouses, anybody could be a part of and just get more information. You'll also, again, with the support, you'll you'll find that that branches out into different things. You'll find um there's some people that do they do um caps, they make like caps and different different things like that. So I mean it's just all kinds of stuff that kind of branches off, one thing branches off into another. So you can find different stuff that you would need throughout the care process.
SPEAKER_00One thing that you just mentioned, which kind of really stood out to me because I do work with uh with breast cancer uh active patients and survivors both as a lymphedema therapist in my clinic. And it is interesting going through the medical uh history with these with these individuals because uh you said there's unbiased support and education on treatments, and that's one thing that I've kind of noticed. I've fortunately have never had to deal with that on a real personal level. I've had family members um that have had breast cancer and have gone through the treatments and things, but um there's there's a lot of options, and some of those options can be overwhelming and uh scary for some people. For example, I this morning um had a patient who told me that uh in no shape or form was she going to accept any type of radiation treatment. Um, and that was her decision. So it's really nice that people it sounds like people have the autonomy to be able to get the information that they need based on each treatment. Is that am I hearing that right? And make a better informed decision.
SPEAKER_01Yes, yes, they can get the information on each one, and then they can they can decide what path will work best for them. Yes.
SPEAKER_00And out of curiosity, um, because there's so many options, and treatment becomes overwhelming with the with a lot of different conditions. Um, is there support like if if you're going to one oncology group and you're not too sure about it, is there some sort of support where you could go get a second opinion from the foundation?
SPEAKER_01There is, yes. You can um, and that would be through the actual support. There's a support option there on online. You can look at that and see. And they've got access to different medical facilities that would be able to help so they could guide through that process as well, yes.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's um it sounds like it there's a it's a big scope that is offered to the public with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation from uh assisting with the understanding of the diagnosis to understanding the treatment to um getting stocking caps that help keep your head warm and everything in the middle.
SPEAKER_01Definitely, definitely. And a lot of it, a lot of it is to to make sure that those people that won't normally have access to those type things, like the like I said, the uninsured and the underinsured, they have access to that inform this information. Because a lot of times, if you don't have that, you're just you're too scared to even go get your diagnosis. So this is something that everyone can access and everyone is privy to it. So that's that's the good part of it. So if you're thinking that I can't, I can't even think about this because I don't have a way to to pay for this and get this even the routine mammogram. I just don't have a way to do it. Definitely don't not act on it. You need to make sure that you are doing your self-checks and checking and um taking advantage of this because if you are in that situation, there are things that can help you. So it is, it's a very vast and wide scope, but it is definitely for anybody. And if you don't have to worry if you think that you can't afford it.
SPEAKER_00So there's some financial assistance through the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation as well.
SPEAKER_01Absolutely, yes. They will get you through to um the funding and the financial assistance programs. They will definitely get you to those um through their site and through speaking to them directly as well to make sure that you can get what you need to have done.
SPEAKER_00Is that for anybody across the state of Virginia?
SPEAKER_01It is everything that is done through the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, all money's raised, it is kept in the state of Virginia. Yes.
SPEAKER_00Um, do you know offhand how many women um or men combined, right? Um, how many are are assisted by chance? I know I'm I'm throwing this out at you. I'm just kind of curious.
SPEAKER_01Um, not off the top of my head, no. I'm so sorry. I don't have that statistic. Um, I should know that. And so that's one thing I will research and make sure I do know, but I don't have that statistic. But as many, and our goal is to help as many as we possibly can. Um, so absolutely. And that's why we continue to raise funds as well, so um that we can help as many people as need need some.
SPEAKER_00So at Lily Clinic, we we I see a lot of long-term effects from breast cancer treatments. It's it's it's in my wheelhouse. That's why uh, you know, there's a lot of things that cause lymphedema, but that's that's uh one of the big ones. Um how important is it to continue supporting people after their cancer treatments have ended? Is the foundation continue like a continuity of cares, so to speak?
SPEAKER_01Definitely, definitely. And they will, you can um, there's all sorts of information and education on how to help after your diagnosis and your treatment is completed because it doesn't stop there. You've got, you've still got, like I said, the lymphedema management may be something that a lot of patients are going through. Um, I actually was fortunate enough not to have any issue with that. Uh, we thought I did, but it was a blood clot from my reconstructive surgery. So um, I didn't have to continue with that, but it it's such a big thing for a lot of people. And so many people don't even know where to start with that. So, yes, there's the there's information on anything that could happen, past treatment, and um when everything's finished. So, yes, and definitely for your um, it's great to have it for your the mental health as well with the support groups.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I was gonna, I was going to um that was gonna what I was gonna bring up next was there's the the physical diagnostic testing, there's the um the education component, but there's also um equally, in my opinion, equally as important is the emotional mental health component. Um as a therapist and going through the trainings I've gone through, everybody talks about, you know, you hear the big C word, you know, and and it's it can be devastating. So what kind of there's there's um support groups, is there other types of of support in that arena at all?
SPEAKER_01Uh it's mainly just the support groups that we would have access to, but I mean there's all kinds of the educational, I think is important too, because you can go and you can learn not only what is like pre-diagnosis and during treatment, you learn about that, but you can learn more about things to do for after treatment as well. Um the support groups, I think, are the are the biggest as far as that goes. Um, but you can learn what to do after because it's not, I mean, it's like you said, with the mental health, when you hear that C-word, um, it is, it's it's a devastation. And until you have heard it, I don't think anybody can truly understand what you're going through with that, besides other people that have gone through that. Um, so if you can get a coalition of survivors, if you will, that can help you get through and say, hey, look what we did. This is how it's gonna help, um, that's a huge thing to have. And that's always it's always great to meet and talk with survivors that have been that are out there um and have been for years and years. I mean, if you you get everybody and you're kind of in there like, okay, well, I was it was six months ago or it was two years ago. That's that's that's great. It's wonderful. But then when you have more and longer, that's always fantastic for people to have access to as well.
SPEAKER_00Are the support groups um, I assume they're throughout the the state, they're in the communities. Are they also virtual as well?
SPEAKER_01They can be, yeah, either, either or, yes. They can um there are virtual support groups out there, there are ones that meet, and I mean, and anyone can actually start one. I mean, you can just go say on a Facebook, um, Facebook event and just create it and say, I'm gonna be at this coffee shop um Thursday, 7 p.m. If you uh if you have ever thought about it or you're experiencing this, whether you're a caregiver, a survivor, you know, anything like that, let's meet up and talk. We'll have some coffee and and go from there. So yeah, I mean, it's very easy to start. Um, and yeah, absolutely. They can you can do them virtually as well. Because not everybody can be out and about, especially if they're still going through treatment. And it's they've got the challenge of, you know, transportation, can they drive? Where are they in their treatment process? Can they actually be so um be out and about? I mean, and so the the virtual option is a wonderful one for that.
SPEAKER_00Are there also supports um that are available to family members?
SPEAKER_01Yes, yes, there are support groups um for caretakers and family members and those that are um experiencing alongside the patient everything that they are going through.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Um so Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation um is having a luncheon at the Hotel Roanoke in October. Uh, do you know the date off the top of your head?
SPEAKER_01I believe it is the October the 18th. Umday, yes. And um, it starts, I believe, at 11:30 that day.
SPEAKER_00And tickets are available for purchase on the website for uh Virginia for Panzer Foundation.
SPEAKER_01Yes, they are.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so um Lily Clinic will be there. We we will be bringing a basket of honey for the auction um to auction off. Very excited about that. Um, I'm I'm looking forward to my attire. I'm not quite sure what that is going to be yet, but I am excited for that luncheon. So for the public who wants to support Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, especially if you're local to the Roanoke region, um, they can purchase tickets and there's an auction, and I believe there's a fashion show as well.
SPEAKER_01Yes, um, they can go to the VBCF.org and you will find the Power of Pink luncheon for Roanoke, and you can purchase your tickets there. Um, and yes, there is the auction there that will be live that day. There will also be uh the key for a cure option there too, which raises additional money. Um, and you can purchase those keys. I think you can actually get those now too when you purchase your tickets, or you can purchase them there. And there is a fashion show that is full of either those that are going through treatment currently or survivors. So, yes, they will be modeling several outfits from local boutiques. So it's bound to be a fun and wonderful time. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_00And I know for myself, Lily Clinic, uh, we started a fundraiser page for um Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, and we set a goal, uh, maybe a little low at $1,000, and we surpassed that. And I could change that goal, but I want to blast that goal out of the water. I truly, truly do. But uh, people could also go to your website, the foundation's website, and create their own fundraiser page and try to help raise awareness and raise money to benefit the foundation as well.
SPEAKER_01They can, yes, yes. There is an option on that to do that as well. And you can do you can do it through that, or you can do just a fundraiser in general, um, and just say bake sales. Um, oh gosh, just like a pink day in your office to raise money, like you have to put in so much money to be casual or however you want to do that. Um, any type of fundraiser like that, and you can make the donation right online, it's all tax deductible, everything like that.
SPEAKER_00So is there a donation that's too small?
SPEAKER_01No, absolutely not. Anything helps, everything helps. So, no, not at all.
SPEAKER_00And for someone who wants to support the Virginia uh breast cancer foundation but may not be able to make a donation, the things that they could do to help in a meaningful way.
SPEAKER_01Volunteer. Volunteer. Um, do you can always go on there and see the activities that we have going on? We've got the Power Pink luncheon, we have walks, we have different things that go on. Volunteer to help out with a function like that. Um, we're always looking for volunteers to we can we usually can set up at health fairs and just different activities throughout um locally and then the state. And anything like that that you could volunteer to help out with would be tremendous. So just volunteer um at or do a fundraiser. Something like that is it's always fantastic.
SPEAKER_00After everything you've have seen through your work, and um now that I also know that you are a survivor as well, um, but being a survivor in your work with the Breast Cancer Foundation, what is one thing that if you could wish that everybody knew um about breast cancer and the people that are affected by it? What do you wish people understood? What's the takeaway?
SPEAKER_01Don't wait ever on a to get a diagnosis. Do your self-checks, get your mammogram. Do not wait to do that if you think you cannot afford to do it, because we can make sure that we can get some help for you to make sure that's taken care of. That's one early detection absolutely saves lives. The earlier you know about it, the better. And don't don't ever think that you don't have an option because you absolutely do. If you need some help, definitely go to the website and start looking to see what you need to do to get that help that we can provide.
SPEAKER_00Um, how often uh should the self check be performed?
SPEAKER_01Uh monthly. That's a monthly, monthly thing that should be done, yes.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so now I'm going into my clinical brain, so I can't help it. Um, because I want this information to be out there. Uh self check. Um, does it matter if if the if if it's uh menstruation time or not, does that have any role in in that?
SPEAKER_01It does. Um I think you're supposed you're you're supposed to do it and please forgive me. I haven't had to do it for so many years now. I do I think it's right before or it's either right before or right after. However, there are cards that you can request um on the website and you can get the information on the website about the self check itself too. So it will tell you when to do it exactly what to do. You can request a card be mailed to you so you have it a physical card there. If you're ever out and about at any of our events we have them um that you can just pick up and always have with you as well.
SPEAKER_00I I will try to get a hold of some of those and and put them in my clinic for for people to to have access to as well. And thank you so much for for being here. It's really important even if it's present I like the idea what you said about don't wait, do not wait. If there's a a concern don't wait and that's that's for really any health thing um it's really easy for us to think and believe that it's not happening to us. And that's a that could be a dangerous mindset. So if you're concerned it sounds like you could reach directly out to uh Virginia Breast cancer foundation even for guidance if you are scared or concerned about what you think might be happening.
SPEAKER_01Absolutely yes absolutely and I mean and they and they can talk to you and gather information and know where you are whether you do need financial assistance whether you need just to support just to say hey let's go um get that get that testing done let's go see what's happening.
SPEAKER_00Yes absolutely reach out to them and they will help in any way that they can well Mandy Bishop I really really appreciate you taking the time out of your extremely busy day I will have to stop by there for a beer at some point in time. It's been a while since I've been over there now that I know the owner um maybe I'll get a discount on the teasing as far as uh as far Lily Clinic is so proud to be able to support this Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation um your your foundation was provided to me by a a friend who unfortunately lost his spouse a year ago to breast cancer um and he had recommended that hey if you're gonna raise money please help uh raise money for this foundation so it's my honor uh to help with this um and I hope we can raise a lot of money if you want to support them you could go directly to their website which is what Mandy uh vbcf.org um and you could donate it's a tax write-off you'll get the receipt it's almost the end of the year so don't wait till all those emails come donate now before the end of the year donate now right now right now uh to Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and if you want you could also purchase hopefully the most expensive jar of honey ever in October from Lily Clinic and all of that money actually you're gonna pay Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation directly and I'm going to mail out that honey to whoever wins that that auction so um hopefully uh we're gonna help a lot of people um in the future so again Mandy Bishop from the uh breast uh Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation board of directors thank you so much for being here thank you for having me and thank you so much for your support we really appreciate it