Public Story
Sandy's Breast Reconstruction
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Sandy's Breast Reconstruction
Location: Sacramento
Nationality: American
Biography:
Jim Koenigsaecker dedicated the first 10 years of his adult life to newspaper journalism. He worked his way up from a copy boy to an editor, but, his passion was always photojournalism. During the glory days of newspapers, Jim covered everything...
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Focus:
Photojournalist
Covering:
Africa,
USA & Canada
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden in the bathroom of her home in Westwood, California. Sandy had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy after being diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Like many women Sandy did not realize that breast reconstruction surgery was covered by insurance after a mastectomy. Sandy eventually looked into that option because it made her sad to see her scars in the mirror every morning.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden keeps a picture of herself before breast cancer with her son Jimmy Lopez and daughter Shania Lopez on her phone.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden and her daughters Tymika Lopez, left, and Shania Lopez, right, in a motel in Sacramento, California the night before Sandy’s breast reconstruction surgery. Sandy is thankful for all the support she has had from her family and friends during her fight with cancer.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden and her daughters Tymika Lopez and Shania Lopez in their car in a motel parking lot in Sacramento, California. Sandy lives in Westwood, California, a small, remote town hours from the nearest doctor, so she has spent countless hours driving back and forth for medical care.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden had the word hope tattooed on her arm after being diagnosed with cancer.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Dr. Michael Wong marks up Sandy Holden before her breast reconstruction surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden holds her daughter Shania Lopez’s hand just before Sandy’s breast reconstruction surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Dr. Charleston Chua, left, Dr. Heath Charvet, center, and Dr. Michael Wong, right, perform Sandy Holden’s breast reconstruction surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Surgeons perform Sandy Holden’s breast reconstruction surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Dr. Michael Wong comforts Sandy Holden after her breast reconstruction surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden and her daughter Tymika Lopez react after seeing the results of Sandy’s breast reconstruction surgery at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. Sandy says it makes her feel whole for the first time in years and that she is looking forward to moving on with her life.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Dr. Michael Wong shares a laugh with Shania Lopez in a waiting room at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. Dr. Wong had just completed a breast reconstruction surgery on Shania’s mother, Sandy Holden.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Dr. Corey Bascone examines Sandy Holden during a post-operative appointment two weeks after Sandy’s breast reconstruction surgery at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. This is a work in progress so check back for updates.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Dr. Michael Wong examines Sandy Holden's reconstructed nipple during a post-operative appointment at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden enjoys a cup of coffee and a laugh with her family in the kitchen of her home in Westwood, California after Sandy recovered from breast cancer and breast reconstruction surgery.
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© 2022 Jim Koenigsaecker
Sandy Holden and her daughter Tymika Lopez at Lake Almanor near Sandy’s home in Westwood, California. Sandy and her family enjoy going to the lake but Sandy felt awkward going there after her mastectomy until she had breast reconstruction surgery.
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