Like everyone, I’m saddened by the death of Suzanne Somers. She was pure joy and delight and an early warrior for women’s rights and women’s health. Her death has once again opened the discussion about the treatment choices she made when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, and the wisdom of going public with her decisions. This week journalist Liz Szabo called me and asked my thoughts on it for an article she was writing for the Los Angeles Times.
As someone who’s had a lot of breast cancer surgeries and chemotherapy, Ms. Somers’ choices have always concerned me, not just for herself but for the millions of people she’s influenced.
This week, breast cancer researchers, media outlets, and patients who followed her advice have criticized Suzanne Somers for her outspoken comments and her books about skipping chemotherapy. The Los Angeles Times (if you can’t access the Times link above, you can read the same article here) wrote that Somers “almost single-handedly vaulted a fringe, untested medical hypothesis into the mainstream.”
In the transcript from Suzanne’s March 28, 2001 appearance on Larry King Live, she tells Larry that she went against the will of her oncologists’ prescribed treatment: She refused to stop taking hormones, (which could feed her breast cancer), declined chemotherapy, and “decided to find alternative things to do,” treatments that were not as harsh as chemotherapy. She opted for injections of European mistletoe.
I would never accuse anyone of making the wrong treatment decisions. I’ve known women whose breast cancer was no bigger than the dot at the end of this sentence; they received the recommended therapies, and yet their breast cancer returned with a vengeance. Breast cancer is a sneaky, evil disease, and the current treatments are often ineffective and can cause great collateral damage. I know because the chemo I had for breast cancer left me with heart problems that have only gotten more serious over time.
Years before either one of us was diagnosed, I met with Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski, the alternative therapy cancer researcher Suzanne brought on Larry King. She also featured him in her book, Knockout: Interviews with Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer. Like Ms. Somers, Dr. Burzynski has always been a controversial figure in the cancer world.
Based on my personal experience with Dr. Burzynski, the only words I can use to describe him are quack and conman.
In the late 1980s, a scientist friend and I flew to Houston to meet with Dr. Burzynski about whether his innovative treatments–he claimed they cured cancer–could help my first husband, Philip. At the time, Philip had been diagnosed with advanced Stage IV lung cancer. What my friend and I didn’t know was that Burzynski was in a fierce battle with the Texas Medical Board and the FDA over his questionable practices.
My scientist friend and I met Dr. Burzynski at his swanky new building a short distance from MD Anderson Cancer Center. When Burzynski unlocked the front door, we noticed the large facility was plunged in total darkness. There were no patients or lab assistants, not even a receptionist. It appeared as though we were the only three people in the building.
“What kind of cancer does your husband have?” Burzynski asked me in his heavy Polish accent.
“Stage IV, adenocarcinoma of the lung. We read where you’re doing promising studies with lung cancer patients.”
“They’re more than promising, Mrs. Ray!” (My married name at the time.) “My patients are being cured!” Burzynski’s tone was curt and arrogant.
He led us to a darkened hallway on one side of the building and flipped on the light. The hallway was empty. There was nothing on the walls, and again, not a soul around. He opened a door and turned on the light.
“It’s all very exciting! See for yourselves!”
Inside was a glistening new laboratory outfitted with state-of-the-art vent hoods, a cryogenic freezer, and sparkling glass beakers. He closed the door and showed us another room further down the hall, and when he turned on the lights, it looked exactly like the first lab, but again, no one was there.
“Very impressive,” my scientist friend said. “But we want to know more about your cancer studies, what the next step is and whether you can help Mrs. Ray’s husband.”
Burzynski leaned in, inches from my face and looked me in the eyes.
“The next step is for Mrs. Ray to write me a check for $60,000, and I will cure her husband of his cancer!”
My friend and I had read dozens of medical studies at the University of Texas Medical School library, but nowhere did we see the words cure and stage IV lung cancer together.
“Can we see the data from your studies?” I asked.
“Do you doubt me? Do you want me to cure your husband or not?”
“Where are your lab technicians? It doesn’t look like the labs have ever been used.”
“Before I can continue, I need funding for my research.”
“So how can you help my husband?”
He backed up and looked at me like I was a bug under a microscope.
“Write me a check for $60,000, and I will cure your husband of his lung cancer… Or you can watch him die.”
My friend and I got out of there as fast as we could. We have often talked about our meeting and continue to agree there was nothing on the up and up about Burzynski or how he hustled us. I even wondered if he was an actual medical doctor or had a real PhD. Although there are people who think Stanislaw Burzynski is a genius, he continues to draw fire from all sides.
Suzanne and her daughter-in-law, Caroline Somers who runs her company.
There are lessons to be learned from Suzanne Somers. She didn’t purposefully mislead anyone, but she’s an example of why celebrities should be careful about how they use their public platforms. From what I’ve read, Suzanne had a genuine love for people, and she wanted to share her knowledge and what she believed could work for her. However, we need to remember there are different kinds of breast cancer and they can behave differently from patient to patient. Treatment that worked for one may not work for another.
Suzanne Somers made a personal decision to defy her physicians and receive an unconventional breast cancer treatment, and she was the first person to say, “We’ll have to wait to see if I was right or not.”
Regardless of whether you think she should have publicized her treatment methods and come on so strong about them, she was a brave amazing woman who asked the hard questions and challenged convention. The world needs people like that. Suzanne Somers was loved and adored by many, and she will be missed.
58 Comments
I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and a strong proponent of medical freedom. Suzanne Somers was an inspiration to me – may she rest in peace.
I agree with you, Susan. I’ll fight for the right to say or write what I want, and yes… Suzanne Somers was an inspiration to so many. Thanks for reading and leaving me a comment. Brenda
Suzanne Somers was a more wonderful person than you’ll ever know. It might have been the statement out out that Suzanne died from breast cancer, but there’s more to the story if you watched her life, words, family very closely. There’s more to the story. She wouldn’t have died if she hadn’t broken her thigh/hip severely where she had to rest for a long time, after being very active, then not long after that, fell down many rock stairs and broke her neck and back, had surgeries, antibiotics, pain medicine, trauma. Her body wasn’t able to handle the inactivity and her system shut down. She has helped more people than she’ll ever hurt. My opinion, and interest in her books and choices with hormones is something I would look at before any traditional treatment. She was a deeply loving person and continues to be through her decision to make her daughter-in-law President of her company. Very wise. Sorry, not fond at all of her so called loving husband. May she Rest In Peace. ❤️
Of course as Americans we believe in freedom of speech and choice. Tho it has become very clear in recent years that there is a subset of people who are lemming-like in their inability to distinguish fact from fiction and this is because we as a nation have never prioritized education and critical thinking.
Hi Ella, You’ve hit on one of the things that’s concerned me since I was in my 30s: Most of us don’t have critical thinking skills, and it’s not taught in the schools. I know because I tried to raise venture capital to produce critical thinking skills on laserdisc for elementary school children. You’d be surprised how many investors didn’t want anyone teaching their children “how to think.” I don’t think they understood the concept of critical thinking skills or they wouldn’t have said that. Now we have children in pre-K being indoctrinated about sex, race, and a lot more than how to evaluate a statement. Thank you, Brenda
“[…]we as a nation have never prioritized education and critical thinking.”
Astute comment! As Brenda replied, “hit the nail on the head.” Thank you for sandwiching the two in my mind.
Oops. Actually Brenda didn’t use that phrase, but you get my point.
I do, Leisa. I tried to fund a company to teach critical thinking skills in school, but venture capitalists and investors didn’t “think” it was a sexy deal. Strange how they prioritize and evaluate deals. xoxox, Brenda
Brenda, I remember that Larry King show because my sister had just been diagnosed with breast cancer that week. Suzanne Somers and the doctor you mentioned turned convention on its head. My sister’s oncologist already knew about him and had the same opinion of him as you did. My sister had chemo and thank God she is fine now and I’m glad you are too.
Thank you, Nancy. I’m relieved your sister is well. For people who didn’t see that show or hear about it, I don’t think they realize what a huge deal it was. It was so controversial for an actress to take a public stand like that and write a book about it and come on that strong about her beliefs. I appreciate you, Brenda
That doctor would have scared me too! I can’t imagine any of my doctors when I went through breast cancer treatment saying things like that. Yes we have freedom of speech but celebrities have so much influence.They need to be careful about what they say about unproven treatents that can affect life and death. Suzanne Somers created a niche for herself that focused on products for healthy hair, skin and most recently Gut Renew and it made her very rich. That said I adored Suzanne Somers and watched her and her daughter-in-law and husband every week on Facebook.
Hi Cindy, Yes, I’ve watched some of Suzanne’s shows as well. She was always selling something that was supposed to make your skin, hair or intestines function better. It sounds good, but it’s not just things SHE sold but products anyone sells like that. Infomercials, if you will. I have to do my own research first. I did buy some spices from Suzanne she used on her roast chicken, and it was yummy! Thank you, Cindy.
“Yes we have freedom of speech but celebrities have so much influence.”
So true. I’ve seen how celebrities took the autism* vaccine debate and ran any needed, legitimate conversation out of possibility forever. They de-legitimized necessary conversation so that anyone wanting to talk about exceptions and unknown immune systems and risks are fiercely ridiculed and shut up. By everyone. Mainstream, public, media. And by shutting off the conversation it threw gasoline on a denial culture in 2020+.
*I am the mother of a nearly 30/y/o autistic daughter.
Leisa, You must have been horrified when all of that took place. It sometimes seems as though every facet of life spins on the axis of celebrity. Celebrity sells, but we should all be alarmed at how easy it is for them to take over a discussion before the expert opinions are in and the data has been studied. xoxox, B
How could you not love Suzanne Sommers but I do think she put herself out there as an expert in a lot of areas she shouldn’t have. Gwyneth Paltrow is another celeb who should take s backseat. Wasn’t she recommending we put eggs in our vagina?
I don’t know about that one, Janet. Eggs in the vagina? LOL! But yes, Gwyneth Paltrow is another celebrity who’s controversial for some of her beliefs and the products she sells. xoxox, Brenda
Jade eggs. Not real bird eggs, of course. Made of the Jade stone. On the contrary I think we tend to badmouth Paltrow (not saying that’s happening here) because she’s giving a forum to alternative treatments and people love to hate on others, especially those in the public eye. I’ve used alternative remedies for 36 years, including bio-identical hormones with medical supervision for some of those years.
As for the jade eggs I’ve heard there’s a problem of bacteria if the stone is cracked. But, as I understand it it’s another form of using ben wah balls like Asians have for centuries to strengthen, in part, pelvic floor and increase pleasure. Part of the reason for jade may be the believed energetic properties of the jade stone, I don’t recall.
There’s much outside the realm of conventional western medicine that has been used for centuries by other cultures. Just because our science has been slow to come around (and I’ve watched it come around for 36 years) doesn’t mean it’s not true.
Not intending to sound argumentative here.
No, you’re not being argumentative. Just reminding us that not all so-called “alternative therapies” are crazy. I’m a big proponent of Guided Imagery and self-hypnosis and have personally experienced jaw-dropping benefits from both: needed much less anesthesia during surgery, my healing time was cut by orders of magnitude, and healed from depression and serious PTSD. xoxox, B
Happy to win Ex-Lover back. Via: (fixmybrokenmarriage) gmail…….com,,,….❤️
Thank you for addressing this difficult and controversial topic honestly and delicately! Each of us is unique genetically, biochemicallly, emotionally, etc, and every cancer is unique. We each choose our own approach to treatment. No one should assume that their approach is “right” for anyone else. Great article!
Thank you, sweet lady! I always love seeing you here. You and I’ve both had breast cancer and we know what it’s like to evaluate treatments that could mean life or death for us or a family member. Regardless of who tells us what worked for them, I know both of us research, research, research and get multiple opinions from doctors before we make a decision. xoxox, Brenda
Well stated here by Lisa and Brenda.
Thanks for addressing this. I would like to see the LA Times article. I have wondered. Of course, I remember Suzanne when she was on 70s TV. I read one of her weightloss books when I was pregnant. I’m not sure how I got ahold of it and no I wasn’t reading it to lose weight, but it gave me lots of delicious healthy cooking ideas that I use and recall to this day. (This was 1994.)
I recall there was speculation that her using bio-identical was a cause of the cancer? And then I sort of remember her saying she wasn’t going to stop taking them. I would disagree with that decision. With what little I understand about breast cancer, it makes sense not to. So, then I guess I just don’t know about the last part of her story of when her cancer returned and what type of cancer.
I tried to Google some of this when she died. Thanks, as always, for lending your voice to the issues, Brenda. xxL
Leisa, I don’t know what type of cancer she had, but I’ve often wondered if it was estrogen-positive because of the controversy it raised between her and the medical community when she wouldn’t stop taking bio-identical hormones, which of course contained estrogen. Estrogen can feed estrogen-positive breast cancer. That’s what I had, and I still avoid all forms of estrogen, even phytoestrogens in food. xoxox, B
I would not say she was Rich but had a name.She lived outside of Palm Springs on a hill.I remember her for her Gut Healing not the breast cancer.She seemed to be a very happy woman.Brenda all that you describe about that building gave me SHIVERS!
Big Red Flag when money is asked upfront like that you did the right thing!
Enjoyed this article very much!
Xoxo
Thanks, Elizabeth, for weighing in. Dr. Burzynski was intense, and the darkened building was over the top, but even if I’d met him under different circumstances, he raised red flags all on his own. It was the way he looked at you, his lack of empathy, and his rude and shocking dogmatic style. Yes, he gave me the shivers. xoxox, Brenda
Very fair, balanced article. I think it is good to question your oncologist and even get a second opinion, but to disregard chemotherapy if recommended, a proven component of breast cancer therapy at that time, would not have occurred to me. I did like Suzanne Somers but I think her vanity lead her down a false, alternative road so she didn’t have to lose her hair, look and feel like shit. The continuation of hormones was truly baffling but she lived with her choices. Brenda, you are also kind.
No, it wouldn’t have occurred to me either, Orinda, but then it was a different day and age. We treated doctors more like gods and followed what they told us. The all-natural movement has changed a great many things about not just medical treatments but what we eat and put on our bodies and how we’re treating the environment. There has probably been more good than bad come out of it, but with each new thing, we need to evaluate it and make sure we don’t follow it by rote. And… I hope I’m kind. Thank you. If so, then your loving kindness has helped shape me, my friend. xoxox, B
I get what you’re saying, and even though I’ve never had cancer, I know treatment is brutal and doesn’t always work. I agree with Orinda. You are kind because while Suzanne Sommers had freedom of speech, I don’t think she was qualified to alter the course of someone else’s life like she did. And someone else said something about critical thinking skills. Those can be hard to come by when we’re fighting for our life. A familiar face like Suzanne’s and her sincere manner could have easily swayed someone to choose her route and from your description, the doctor in Houston wouldn’t have been my first choice. You handled this so well Brenda but then you’re always fair and balanced. I appreciate that about you.
Oh, thank you, Arlo. I do appreciate that. You hit on something important: When we’re fighting for our lives, I think we’re terrified and what critical thinking skills we may have might not be front and center. We may panic and choose the wrong things, like advice from someone we don’t know except for their public persona. I think Suzanne Somers was a wonderful person who truly believed she’d made the best decisions for herself. xoxox, Brenda
I was a Mammogram tech…and if she truly had a very aggressive form of breast cancer….i don’t think she would have lived to 77…do we know for sure she had cancer 23 years ago? Do your homework .
Eileen, I have done my homework. I never said Suzanne Somers had “a very aggressive form of breast cancer, ” nor did the Los Angeles Times article I linked. Best, Brenda
I did not say you said anything..however her publicist gave a statement to NBC.
Sadly, I have to say that I have a growing uneasiness about medications and medical research. Most research now is funded by the ones who will benefit financially from a positive outcome. Sometimes studies are cut short or only limited analysis is used, in order to obscure undesirable results. Early on in my practice we were shown studies indicating that OxyContin was less likely to cause opioid addiction. We were convinced that if we didn’t prescribe OxyContin, we would be guilty of promoting opioid addiction within our patient population. We now know the opposite was true. On the flip side, and for the most part, I have seen and personally benefited from the development of amazing medications and treatments. Each of us has to seek advice from our trusted doctors, our peers, and whatever literature we have access to, in order to make the decisions which are best for our health. Then we must be at peace with that decision, knowing we made our best effort.
I love your comment and the educated perspective you have on this, Barbara. I imagine you and your peers were horrified when you realized OxyContin wasn’t in the best interest of your patients. I’m facing something like that right now: I think one of my physicians is recommending I have a procedure and the data for this recommendation has been sponsored by the company that invented it… Follow the money. I was alarmed when it was suggested to me, and I continue to work on researching it, getting second and third opinions, and making the best decision I can, but I’ll tell you… It’s been flippin’ alarming!! Thank you, Barbara! xoxox, Brenda
I’m not very familiar with Suzanne. Shocking what she did to remain young looking – sexy. There again we all have our own opinion of what sexy is. I’m one who accepts ageing.
I would not go for untested medical hypothesis. Write a cheque – what next – hadn’t heard of that so called doctor before but I’d classify him probably as a quack. Tho would need to read more about him to make an informed decision. Cancer treatments have developed over the last 20+ years as my husband was told with his recent diagnosis – same as Philip. I feel it’s up to the patient to get all the info re their cancer/planned treatment plan to make an informed decision and to not be influenced by media/stars.
You have undergone so much with breat cancer – sorry to hear re heart problems.
Thank you, Rosemarie. I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s diagnosis. It’s scary, isn’t it? Then add the pressure of coming up to speed with the medical lingo, learning to read and interpret medical papers, getting second opinions, and then praying you’re making the most informed decision you can. I know what it’s like to be the cancer caregiver and the cancer patient. This will be hard for both of you. Sending you my love and prayers, Brenda
Hi Brenda,
I’m not familiar with the approach Suzanne Somers did to cure her breast cancer. Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski sounds like his entire practice should had been in question. Everything that you shared about him would make you immediately feel distrust. I’m so sorry your first husband Philip passed away.
Brenda, you have been through so much with your chemotherapy and I recall how sick you got. Bless your heart, you are a survivor.
People have good intentions when wanting to share advise that they believe could help you when you have a chronic condition. They really need to be careful. It should always be followed up with……discuss this with your doctor first.
It’s sad that Suzanne Somers passed away, she is out of pain and resting in peace now.
My thoughts turn to Israel. Our Noah is in Jerusalem for 9 month course study, taking Judaic classes which include Hebrew and Torah learning. When he returns (if he stays for 9 months) will be attending UCLA. It was a huge honor that he was chosen. He’s extremely intelligent and has a remarkable background. Still it’s near to impossible to get accepted.
Pray for ️️️Peace. It’s been a very hard two weeks.
Take TLC of yourself.
Thank you, Katherine, for a balanced and thoughtful comment. I appreciate that you read my blog and the link I included. Now your son! Oh, dear God! You must be worried about where he is. I’m worried for him. He sounds like he’s a brilliant young man. I don’t know what his immediate plans are, but I imagine you’re hoping he comes home. Perhaps he can resume his studies there when the region is not so embroiled in conflict. I’m a woman of faith, and I have many Jewish friends, and I will add you and Noah and your family to my prayers for peace and safety. I can’t imagine being in your position as a mother. Sending you love and strength, Brenda
I was going to comment about how easy it is to be overwhelmed by a serious health diagnosis and reach for an answer from someone you don’t really know but like from television and the movies. But I’m more dismayed that someone left you a comment regarding something you didn’t write! Amazing! I’d like to say more but I’ll keep it classy Brenda because you’re classy. I’ve been reading your blogs for years and you never point fingers, you’re not reckless and you don’t write about things you haven’t researched. Xo, Barb
Thank you, Barb! I love you for your support all these years. Thank you. It can be difficult to write about some subjects, and this was no exception. Suzanne Somers was so loved and inspired so many people. Pointing a finger was not my intent. Her interface with Dr. Burzynski dovetailed with my experience with him, and I thought it was an important topic to cover. Thank you, again. xoxox, Brenda
What a thoughtful and though-provoking post Brenda. I’d like to think I’ll make good decisions when faced with a life crisis like cancer. I just love your blogs and look forward to them.
Thank you for reading and letting me know! You’re a bright spot in my day! Thank you, Brenda
Thank you Brenda. This needs to be heard. I’m still mourning a dear brilliant friend who went to a similar doctor and was dead a few months later. While going to this doctor shunning a regular oncologist the cancer just kept on growing.
That’s horrifying, Sandy! I’m sad to hear this, but it happens every day, and it’s easy to see why. People are scared. Scared they’ve been diagnosed with cancer. Scared of the side effects of conventional treatment with no guarantees it will work. They’re desperately reaching for a miracle, but sometimes they find an open door to hell. xoxox, Brenda
Hi Brenda,
I’m back to clarify a few comments on our Noah. Our Noah, is our nephew. He feels like a son. Thank you so much for your prayers. I sincerely appreciate your support.
You have a warm heart and I appreciate you.
Katherine, While I’m glad you’re not worried as a mother, it’s obvious you love Noah a great deal and he’s a special young man. My prayers will continue for him and for your family. I appreciate you, too. xoxox, Brenda
Thoughtful post, surprising and glad you got away from that Dr!
Yes. I’ve always thought of him as the doctor from Hell. BTW, there are two documentaries that have been made about him. I watched both, recently, and if I had to guess, I’d say he funded them. Thank you, Carol. Brenda
This is wise writing! I had ovarian cancer, took the chemo. No issues for 28 years. Our beloved son had glioblastoma, tried chemo and radiation but as we all know they is very little chance of survival. He lived 11 mos. My sister had incurable small cell lung cancer, tried chemo but died in a year. Some cancers are so aggressive that nothing works. But they chose chemo in hope! And we all did hours of research and consultations with many experts to learn all we could learn.
Oh, Gayle! I’m sorry to hear you and your family have been down this road. It’s heartbreaking. Even knowing the odds with your son’s glioblastoma and your sister’s lung cancer, had you tried alternative therapy instead of the standard available treatment, you would always have wondered if you did the right thing. What would have happened if we’d gone with the recommended treatments? There are no easy answers and the questions are too terrible to hear, much less comprehend. You’re a strong woman! Be well. Stay strong. Sending you my love, Brenda
A new subscriber, here.
I am grateful for trustworthy information.
My baby girl of only 35 years old had a bilateral mastectomy five weeks ago.
First chemo this week. We interviewed four oncologists until we found the perfect fit,
Intuitively. Thankful to read success stories.
Hi Gina, Hold in your heart that there are success stories out there! The end of my story hasn’t been written, but I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and had a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy. It’s a bitch, but you get past it, and life will be sweet again. If you’re a woman of faith, ask God for help and healing. And if you’re not, ask him anyway. He will hear you. xoxox, Brenda
My boyfriend started taking de-worming pills purchased on Chewy for his pancreatic cancer based on a friend’s recommendation who had the disease. He also took a train to Tijuana to seek alternative treatment that his insurance didn’t cover. He didn’t sign up for it. People get desperate and are easily conned by frauds like Dr. B. Sadly, nothing worked.
Hi Rebecca, I’m horrified to hear the details. I remember when your boyfriend died of pancreatic cancer and I smile when I see you on social media and know you’re engaging in life again. His story reminds me of the actor, Steve McQueen, who went to Mexico and checked into a motel… they called it a spa… and put himself under the care of an orthodontist… Yes, an orthodontist! Daily this quack gave him coffee enemas and injections of pulverized apricot pits, and Steve McQueen died. He was desperate, and don’t you know the quack charged him an outrageous amount of money to torture him like this and get his hopes up? Sending you lots of love, Brenda
I had no idea that Suzanne Sommers took an alternate route with her breast cancer treatment? I don’t follow celebrities closely so when she passed away I was surprised…
I would follow the advice and recommendations of my primary doctor and oncologist if I were under their care…they are the professionals and I would rely on their guidance and expertise….BUT we all have a choice so it seems that Suzanne made her decision in good faith and so be it.
Leslie, You’ve evaluated the situation correctly. We all have a choice, and Suzanne made her decision in good faith. I can only wonder if she regretted it. Wouldn’t that be painful, not knowing if it would have made a difference if she’d followed her oncologist’s advice? Thank you, Leslie. Brenda
I had breast cancer, double mastectomy and reconstruction from my own body tissue at MD Anderson 42 years ago… It was a worrisome and difficult recovery… but I kept working at my regular job after about two weeks following the surgery. I followed the instructions laid out by my eleven doctors to a T. I’m now 84 years old, and enjoy feeling very good for my age. I would never have chosen my own treatment…those brilliant doctors are so much smarter than I’ve ever been. I eternally grateful for every one of that genius crew that gave me a much longer life than I expected.
Dorothy, I’m so happy to hear from you. In 2004, I, too, had a double mastectomy with reconstruction from my own body tissue. DEIP Flap from my abdomen, and yes, it was painful, followed by chemo. Now, I am 74 and feeling great and praying my cancer never returns. Like you, I never would have turned my back on the advice of the best oncologists in the world. At the time, I remember being shocked at Suzanne Somers’ decision. Learning we have cancer is terrifying, but to think we know best how to proceed is foolhardy in my opinion. Here’s to a long, healthy life for both of us. xoxox, Brenda