Undergoing breast cancer treatment is an emotional and physical ordeal. Having a sympathetic doctor in a patient’s corner is a nice addition to conquering the disease. Indiana University’s Dr. Linda Camp, a plastic surgeon for the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, helps patients because of her own experiences.
Plastic Surgeon Inspired To Work With Breast Cancer Survivors
The Star Press posted a story about Dr. Camp’s journey from mother and housewife to medical school and becoming a doctor. She was inspired to become a plastic surgeon after she was frustrated by her children’s pediatrician. This fueled her desire to go to college and get a medical license, and her passion to become a surgeon—particularly a plastic surgeon—came while attending Northeast Ohio Medical University.
“I was lucky because I had a supportive husband … and I just believed the Lord gave me the skills to do this work,” she said. “Along the way, I discovered my sons’ pediatrician was actually a great doctor … and I became a plastic surgeon.”
Dr. Camp enjoys working with breast cancer survivors as she can help patients regain their sense of self. Masectomy or lumpectomy recipients seek breast reconstruction, and Dr. Camp takes pride in getting patients back to feeling whole.
Recipients like Linda Small sought Dr. Camp’s services during her breast cancer bout. Small was conflicted about her want for “full, round breasts. The kinds I had before I had cancer” because of the interpretation of being shallow about her appearance, and she found confidence in Dr. Camp and her services. “I used to feel bad about this, but it’s true … as a woman, your breasts help shape you, physically and emotionally,” said Small.
Dr. Camp hopes her patients can rebuild their confidence, and she gets satisfaction from helping them. “Even though I can’t give them their pre-cancer bodies back, I can give them something close. The patients are part of our team and we want to do what we can to make them feel confident with what they look like.”
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