Last edited Wed Mar 7, 2012, 11:05 AM - Edit history (1)
You are an inspiration to me. Your comments mean so much.
Our struggle with breast cancer-related issues started with me in 2000. "This is a cardinal sign for breast cancer!" my GP shouted when I told him I had been bleeding from one breast. A highly recommended doctor did a biopsy that put me in the hospital for four days with a staph infection. Worse still, even though the biopsy showed me as clear, she didn't pursue the source of the bleeding, despite the fact that the radiologist urged me to talk to her about it (and I did).
I transferred to another wonderful doctor. She immediately fixed the bleeding and had a plastic surgeon reconstruct my breast, which had been ripped open due to the infection and had healed without sutures.
From then on, like Carol, I was on the "high alert" list, which resulted in fairly frequent biopsies for a while. I am deeply grateful for the follow-up. The process is emotionally and physically draining, however. My cancer center is quite posh, and they provide a very supportive physical environment for their patients. It's still difficult to sit in a roomful of tense women who know they might get grave news at any minute. It's also tough to know that you might be the next person to draw the roulette bullet. Fibrocystic disease runs in my mother's family, so I guess it is my lot in life. It was wonderful news, however, when I was put on a once-a-year mammogram schedule.
Betty spoiled and supported me through all of this. I cannot be too emphatic in stressing how strong she is. We noticed some things last year -- she got greenish circles around her eyes, her breath was sour and she was tired -- but we attributed them to an especially demanding time at work. As I said, her physical exam was fine and her bloodwork didn't trigger any alerts. I was so shocked when I saw her X-rays. They were far different from mine and I knew right away we were in a life-changing situation.
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