Care and Confidence: One Woman’s Breast Cancer Journey at Saint Luke’s 

After spending much of her career in health care working for a pacemaker manufacturer, 52-year-old Annmarie Neal didn’t expect to have a health scare of her own. It was 2023, and after her mother became ill, Annmarie decided to move from Denver, Colorado, to Kansas City, Missouri, to be closer to her parents. She was looking forward to a slower pace of life—but life had other plans.

Six months after moving, Annmarie noticed a lump on her right breast near her collarbone. Although concerned, she wasn’t alarmed at first.

“I found the lump and thought, ‘Oh, that’s interesting,’” Annmarie says. “I thought it might be a fatty deposit or something, because I had my annual mammogram not too long ago. But I know these self-exams are important, so I wanted to check with my doctor.”

Annmarie made an appointment with her primary care provider at Saint Luke’s, who ordered an MRI, which revealed an 8-centimeter tumor. “And just like that, I became part of the fast-paced world of oncology,” she says.

Even with her health care experience, Annmarie didn’t allow herself to process everything at first. “You’re so motivated by everything you have to do,” she says. “You’re always thinking about the next thing until one day it hits you, and you think, ‘How did I get here?’” 

Following a series of consultations with her care team at Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute, Annmarie had radiation therapy and elected to have a double mastectomy to remove both breasts, address her current diagnosis, and significantly reduce her risk of future cancer. As part of her treatment plan, Annmarie also elected to have breast reconstruction surgery. She met with Dana Rioux-Forker, MD, board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon at Saint Luke’s Plastic Surgery Specialists, a moment she described as nothing short of fate.

“I don’t think things happen by coincidence,” Annmarie says. “I met with Dr. Rioux-Forker and I immediately felt at ease. He gave me hope. He looked at me and said, ‘I’m sorry you have breast cancer, but I’m going to take very good care of you.’”

After meeting with Annmarie and reviewing her imaging results, Dr. Rioux-Forker determined that she was a candidate for direct-to-implant reconstruction. In most breast reconstructions, a surgeon will implant a temporary tissue expander on the day of the mastectomy, and the patient comes back months later to receive the final implants. This innovative surgery would allow Annmarie to have her mastectomy and reconstruction in one day, saving her months of recovery time.

“To have all of that done in one day and go home feeling like yourself—it’s incredible,” Annmarie says. “There can be a lot of mental anguish with breast cancer and how some people feel their breasts impact the way society sees them. This same-day surgery spared me a lot of those feelings.”

Today, Annmarie says her confidence is unmatched. “I look amazing, but what’s important is that I feel amazing,” she says. Dr. Rioux-Forker helped Annmarie build confidence in herself after an unexpected diagnosis. “You’re going to be better than you were,” he told her.

Now in remission and looking back on her journey, Annmarie feels physically—and emotionally—rebuilt. “I have a new perspective on life,” she says. “The gratitude I have for everyone who supported me along the way, especially Dr. Rioux-Forker, is unlike anything I have ever let myself feel before.” 

Saint Luke's Plastic Surgery Specialists offer cosmetic and reconstructive surgery customized to your specific needs. Working across all major body parts, our expert team of board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians is here to educate and guide you in your journey. 

To learn more about Saint Luke's cosmetic and reconstructive surgery expertise, visit the Saint Luke's Plastic Surgery Specialists page.