It often takes a game of telephone to connect you to the right people, who then in turn connect you to the right doctors. It is my telephone chain that I want to thank first: Luisa Marciano and Andrew Levy, Stacie Caplan-Kiratsous, Michelle Steinberg, Pam Kohl, and Myra Biblowit. Each of you (some who didn’t even know me at the time) helped get me into the right medical hands with one act of compassion. Phone lines became lifelines and for this I am forever indebted to you.
To Dr. Eliza Port and Dr. Leo Keegan, my guardian angels on earth. It’s rare to find doctors with your level of knowledge, expertise, and skill. Rarer yet, to find ones who are modest, compassionate, and will go above and beyond for their patients. I considered myself blessed to have been in your care. You gave me back my life—and with it—hope for a better future. I’m not even sure how to properly thank you for this. Hopefully, sharing your unparalleled advice is the way I can pay it forward.
To my fellow breast cancer “thrivers”: Joan Lunden, Hoda Kotb, Sandra Lee, Suleika Jaouad, Elena Tavarez, Laura Rubin, Dayna Christison, Torva Durkin, and Elizabeth Myers. Thank you for lending your names and platforms to help me with this project and, ultimately, other cancer patients on this journey. Your strength, positivity, and ability to spread the love are inspiring. The world is a better place having you in it.
To my glam gang who was with me from the beginning of the journey: Ted Gibson, Ramy Gafni, Sonia Kashuk, Dr. Doris Day, Dr. Heidi Waldorf, Elle Gerstein, Dr. Brian Kantor, and Dr. Josh Zeichner. In many ways, I credit you for this book—because you reminded me that I had the right as a living, breathing human being to care about myself and my physical aesthetic while battling cancer. You empowered this ideology with knowledge, love, and product suggestions. You reminded me (often) that looking good isn’t about vanity but about feeling better—emotionally and physically. This idea hasn’t always been encouraged in the medical community, which makes your words more vital and reinforces why you are visionaries in the industry. I am a lucky girl to have you by my side—then and now.
To all the experts and institutions who took the time to be interviewed for this book, your contribution is impactful and appreciated: Dr. Richard Doty and the Smell and Taste Center at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Avery Gilbert and the University of Pennsylvania; Lisa Lewis and Givaudan; Dr. Mindy Greenstein and Memorial Sloan Kettering; Cutler Salon, Andrew DiSimone, and The Hair Place; Dr. Donald F. Richey and Brighter Days; Dr. Heidi Waldorf and Mount Sinai; Dr. Doris Day and NYU; Karen Hohenstein, Dr. Michele Halyard, and the Mayo Clinic/Mayo Medical School; Dr. Jeannette Graf; Dr. Brian Kantor and Lowenberg, Lituchy and Kantor; Dr. Ilene Bernstein and the University of Washington; Elle Gerstein; Dr. Dana Stern and Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Doug Schoon and Schoon Scientific; Dr. Jill Waibel and Baptist Hospital of Miami; Vinnie Myers; Wendy Williams; Daniele Hollywood; Dr. Jennifer Litton and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Dr. Lauren F. Streicher and the Feinberg School of Medicine/Northwestern University/Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine; Dr. Elizabeth Eden and the New York Gynecological Society; and Cindy Barshop.
To Tom “ Mazz” Mazzarelli: You’ve been the same since high school—funny, sharp, and kind. Thank you, friend, for your never-ending generosity and support.
To Mark Weiss: Your iconic photographs of Ozzy, Debbie Harry, Eric Clapton, Journey, Boy George, Zappa, Kiss, U2—just to name a few—have had such a visual impact on my relationship with music and pop culture. Had anybody told me that I would one day get to sit for you—I wouldn’t have believed it. But dreams do come true! Thank you for turning your lens on me and capturing this meaningful time in my life. It was a thrill I will never forget!
To Mike Levine, Terry Egan, and Dan Wakeford: You shaped my career as a journalist by teaching me how to channel my voice into written word, to tell stories and see the bigger picture—and most importantly—to learn my value in the process. This book is a direct result of your impact on my life. (Mike, wherever you are, I hope you are looking down beaming with pride.)
To Tara Parker-Pope: Thank you for taking the time to read a pitch sent in by random freelancer about the final phase of her cancer reconstruction. You saw the heart and guts of my story—long before it went viral—and gave me the opportunity to share my message. My NYT byline was the springboard for this book and I have only you to thanks for that.
To Kassie Bracken: We were strangers when you began chronicling my journey for the New York Times and today I am happy to call you my friend. I don’t know anybody else who could make me show my tits to ten million people but that is the magic of your charm. Thank you for lending your talent to raising awareness about the final stages of reconstruction for cancer patients and for telling my story with such empathy, love, and visual genius.
To my amazing illustrator, Jamie Lee Reardon: From the first moment I saw your work, I hoped that one day I would be able to collaborate with you. Your talent is beyond breathtaking. Thank you for lending your vision, talent, and time to this project. I know your illustrations will make those who are sad and struggling, smile and feel a happy. This book wouldn’t be the same without you—and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
To my publishing team at Grand Central: They say it takes a village to make a book but a few talented and hardworking women are all you really need. Thank you to Jamie Raab, an early champion of this project, Deb Futter, Karen Murgolo, and Katherine Stopa. To the ladies who flipped through these pages countless times scrutinizing every little detail, I am beyond indebted: editor Brittany McInerney (OMG—what would I have done without you???), production editor Yasmin Mathew, and copy editor Justine Gardner. A big thanks to Daniella DeSanto, Nick Small, and Amanda Pritzker for all of your hard work spreading the love. To designer Danielle Young, for using your talent to bring this book to life—your work is truly spectacular. And a special thanks to my editor, Sarah Pelz: Your intuitive ability to offer advice with just the right amount of autonomy is something even this neophyte knows is both respectful and rare. I am proud and honored that you made me a part of the Hachette/Grand Central family. I hope we get to do this again soon.
To my agent, Lynn Johnston: You saw something in me, took a chance, and provided vital guidance throughout this intricate process. You are sharp, funny, and know your craft. You have been an inspiration to me both as a mentor and as a woman in business. I also know that I have only been able to achieve this dream of mine because you were in my corner. I am forever grateful.
To my publicist, Jennifer Fisherman Ruff: You were by my side during my darkest days when I was living this book. And here you still are! You are a class act in couture and I feel blessed having you in my life. Thank you for your unwavering love and support.
To my Girl Gang, Jesse “The Original JLo” LoBreglio, Carly Abel Ritter, Dana “D-Nice” Mendelowitz, Randi Friedman, Leah “Ginzy” Ginsberg, Juliette Levy, Nicole Martinez, Lara Eurdolian, Damian “Judy” Irizarry, and Victoria and Valentina Sanford. It’s easy to call someone a friend but very few step up and do what it takes when shit gets real. You saw me through my worst and helped me be my best. I love you each of you so much.
To my family: The soldiers in the trenches with me. Your love and support mean everything. A special thanks to my sister, Moira Kiernan, who sat with me in chemo, held me in the shower when I was too weak to stand, brought me munchies, cozy pjs, and really depressing books (no doubt to make me think my life was not so terrible; smooth one, Mo) and when I was too high on meds to read, turned me onto the best bad TV. We may fight like cats and dogs but you are my blood and I will love you into our next lives. Until then, “Meet me in Montauk.”
To my father, Paul, and Patty Kiernan: Watching the two of you handle Patty’s cancer with fortitude, grace, and calm set the example for me during my own battle. I know I wasn’t the easiest child but I hope I made you proud in the end. Thank you for your support.
To my mother, Deirdre “What Is Deirdre,” and Bruce “Brudad” Birnbaum: Even when you were a single parent struggling to raise three girls, your devotion, love, and support never wavered. I truly believe that is the reason why we turned out to be smart, hardworking, and compassionate women. Thank you for always being there. (Pulling on my earlobe now.)
And lastly, to the love of my life, Kenny Kaplan: You changed the trajectory of my world with your love, patience, calming presence, thoughtful advice, encouragement, and support. And you have shared with me the greatest gifts—Carly and Jonah, who fill my life with such unimaginable joy. Thank you for being a wonderful father and partner.