The experience of viewing self in the mirror after a mastectomy

The purpose of this study was to talk with women who have had a mastectomy in order to discern the experience of viewing self in a mirror post-operatively. More specifically, the study sought to describe the experience from both a structural and a phenomenological perspective. The question guiding the study was: What is the experience of viewing self in the mirror after a mastectomy?;Twelve women, who had a mastectomy 3--12 months prior to participation in the study, discussed their experiences of viewing self in mirror in audio-taped conversational interviews. A structural analysis was performed on each transcript, followed by a phenomenological interpretation. A second interview was held with two women to validate the findings.;In the structural analysis, actants, actions, and opposing ideas in the text were uncovered. This analysis revealed the world of the participants. Key actants were: my body, my thoughts, and others in my world. These actants were further broken down into opposing actions: viewing and not viewing my body in a minor; my energizing and dispiriting thoughts, and supportive and non-supportive others. The phenomenological interpretation revealed the experience of viewing self in the mirror after a mastectomy from the perspective of a woman looking in a mirror. Four key themes were uncovered: I am, I decide, I see, and I consent. The theme I see was further broken down into seeing with the mind's eye, seeing with the eyes, and seeing the meaning. Seeing the meaning is a complex moment of both understanding and explanation.;Implications for nursing practice, education, and research were considered with respect to the results. Understanding this experience of viewing self in the mirror leads to sensitive nursing interventions including: discussion of the impact of the mirror experience before and after surgery; and offering a mirror when changing the dressing and teaching ongoing site and drain care. There is a need to develop educational materials for nurses and patients. This research project simply places a footprint on a vast, largely unexplored, field of nursing, with several opportunities for future research.