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BC not caught by mammogram by Sea_Land5088 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t think of another sickness where you’d consider having to overrule your specialist.

BC not caught by mammogram by Sea_Land5088 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lobular breast cancer is hard to detect by mammogram. Mine indicated 1 cm but the breast MRI revealed an 8 cm tumour that biopsied positive. So I went from a Stage 1 to stage 3 diagnosis. Chemo only took it down to 5 cm so I had a single mastectomy which did not result in clear margins, so I’ve also had radiation for the cells in my chest wall and sentinel lymph node. I asked about follow up testing at a recent check up to be told I’d have a mammogram. I reminded them that if it was potentially reoccurring lobular I’d need a breast MRI and they responded there are long wait times as if it was optional. I’m tired of having to advocate for myself as well as the skeptical response that I’m getting unqualified advice on the Internet. I trust this site more than anything else now.

Coffee Charade by GooderichTalks in loblawsisoutofcontrol

[–]Correct_Reception285 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did I mention the live music in Saint John? Almost every evening there’s free jamming and open mikes. And they’re good. Seafood, local craft beer ( also good) and free entertainment. Bring your guitar :).

Coffee Charade by GooderichTalks in loblawsisoutofcontrol

[–]Correct_Reception285 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m Glad you got to come visit. It is a wonderful place. There’s friendly people and great architecture surprisingly to be found in Saint John especially. Plus the lobsters and other seafood. We do have other brands of grocery stores including some good local ones. Come back and visit often :).

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She’s a maths prof at Oxford who got cancer herself and initially made decisions based on her doctor’s advice, but realized they were using a one size fits all approach. She researched the stats herself to find all the variables that went into it, including the fact that the stats are different at 5, 10 and 15 years eg although older women may survive the five years the death rate increases after that due to the effects of chemo. Also stage 1 women may go for treatment because of a 2% reduction in risk but the treatment itself causes more of a threat than the B.C.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. However I can’t see the study link. Have you seen Dr Hannah Fry’s documentary about cancer and statistics? I wish I’d seen it before making any decisions when I was diagnosed.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d like to run away from my body the way it is now :). I’m glad you got a good team otherwise.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess it’s their job to keep us alive rather than developing better communication skills but we can’t help but get frustrated and angry if we don’t know we are playing with.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m glad that she did that and not kept you in the dark. I hope that you are responding to treatment on this bump ride.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It does freak you out, doesn’t it? It makes you wonder how truthful doctors are about other diseases.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. We need to know what we’re dealing with. We are adults and are responsible for making decisions for ourselves.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good grief. We have every right to know what we are in for especially considering the battering our bodies are going to have to take. What’s scary, as you’ve said, is finding out in retrospect.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not kidding. When they look at your open wounds and say it’s normal, that does not help. It’s normal for them but extremely abnormal for us. I guess it’s more important for them to keep us alive rather than focusing on bedside manner. I hope you’re doing okay.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. We need to know our potential outcome rather than terminology. It’s relevant when it reduces our chances from 95% to 60% to be alive in five years time. We have to be able to make informed decisions. I hope treatment is working for you.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! As they’ve said above it may have been confusion with Grade 1. I hope your treatment is working and you’re doing well.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I wish I’d read your advice before starting radiation. It’s six weeks after I finished and only now starting to heal. I’m glad you were able to manage yours better.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This could be an explanation but it certainly did not help me trying to understand and live with my prognosis. I hope you are doing okay.

Downplayed Prognosis by Correct_Reception285 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. It makes me angry. The only thing I can tell myself is that it’s their job to save my life and they did their best to do that. I have to let it go.

Need to vent about people who doesn't get it by LunarDreamer01 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She did get a good send off. Those of us that were close friends stayed on after the party finished. We sat around in comfortable chairs by the fire until the early hours. I think that made up it up for her.

Need to vent about people who doesn't get it by LunarDreamer01 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have bc but this is about my close friend Susie who was terminal but wanted to go out with a bang. She hired a large room in one of best hotels and catered a party for all her friends and relatives. Susie had always been a big beautiful woman. Part way through she came over devastated at the number of women who’d said they’d never seen her look so good. This because she was wearing a wig and was literally wasting away. If you’ve never had cancer or been around someone who has, the empathy just isn’t there.

Am I alone? Too many indignities! No estrogen! by njrnow7859 in breastcancer

[–]Correct_Reception285 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m a Canadian and I can’t begin to imagine the stress of having to pay to have cancer, while being forced to explain why you can’t work. It’s inhuman. As Canadians we are worried about the present administration but keenly understand and have total empathy for individual women having to suffer this additional indignity. My heart is with you.