The Setup - Part I

Please be aware that this blog incorporates discussions of surgical procedures and post-operative conditions that may include graphic detail or relevant images. Also please note that there will be images of female breasts. Additionally, articles and references that are not directly linked are cited at the end of each blog entry.

Dr. Molly Niedermeyer before diagnosis & treatment

Back in August 2011, Dr. Molly Niedermeyer was diagnosed with Stage III-B breast cancer, a severe diagnosis (cancer diagnoses range from Stage I - IV) that not only included immediate breast tissue but lymphnode involvement as well. A prominent naturopathic physician in the Seattle area, she underwent a radical mastectomy in addition to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Throughout her treatment, she recorded her journey on a blog to keep friends and family updated of her progress in addition to using her writing to process her experiences. After completing nearly a full year of treatment, she was faced with a choice: whether or not to replace the mastectomy scar and radiation burns on her chest with a reconstructed breast. 

What was interesting about Dr. Niedermeyer's discussion around such a very personal decision was her considerations to not only her psychological well-being (i.e. would she feel happier/ better if she decided to undergo breast reconstruction) but also the physiological ramifications (i.e. would she compromise her immune system after undergoing a second extensive surgery). She periodically debated with herself whether she was emotionally ready to have her body transition again, whether "symmetry" was important to her, and whether a breast prosthesis would suffice. Most of her postings relating to breast reconstruction focused around three concerns though: the physiological toll, concern for her husband's preference, and her sense of physical attractiveness. Wanting to make an educated decision on the matter, Dr. Niedermeyer engaged in extensive research ("Breast Reconstruction 101" - 10/1/2012 posting), consulting with three surgeons and various other medical colleagues, because according to her initial research "there just is NOT great, pragmatic, heartfelt, informative treatise on the subject.  There are bits of that but not in a comprehensive way." Dr. Niedermeyer found how reconstructive surgeries were performed but there was limited information that was directed at informing consumers/patients. Finding her perspective and approach interesting, I was inspired to investigate the history of breast reconstruction and if psychological research supported the assumed benefit that the surgery could provide to breast cancer survivors.