Congratulations on today’s outcome. I may have said before that I fired my first oncologist, who wouldn’t take the time to answer our questions but made sympathetic noises about me losing my hair. While yes, that is important for a lot of women’s sense of identity, it’s a lot less important medically than “Is there a statistical difference between the recurrence rates for tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor?” This, he had no time for. "Now, you’re going to lose your hair…" while leaning forward with his brow creased told me all I needed to know about the quality of his work. We canned him and went to an oncologist at a teaching hospital instead. So worth the many multi-hour drives.
No, I don’t think I’ve seen that from you. And I don’t blame you for firing that doctor! It’s not like you didn’t know this was going to happen to you.
Nor, really, did I care, but he was so smarmy and fake-concerned sounding that I was repulsed, and wouldn’t answer our questions about the actual chemo. There was more, but you get the flavor of it.
Ugh, just what your need when your have a cancer diagnosis, a condescending doctor who won’t educate your as to your options.
Fortunately, I had a good alternative. Some of my counseling clients didn’t, and died of or had their deaths hastened by inadequate care. I’ll never live in an area without a well-rated cancer center, and I’ll never sign up for insurance that gives me no choices.
I missed out on this entire thread until now! Congratulations on the clean bike of health!
Going on 7 years, and looking good! I even lost a few pounds since my last doctor’s visit.
Good stuff!
I had another mammogram today. Maybe it’s just the overall tenor of the times, but I don’t feel good about this.
I could look the results up tomorrow if I got the app, but I’ll wait for the letter (or phone call).
Fingers crossed!
Thanks, and I’m going to need it. They found abnormalities in both breasts that weren’t there before - calcification in the left (previously affected) breast, and asymmetry in the right one. I’m having additional imaging on the 27th. Wish me well!
Good luck!
Thanks. I do not want to go through this again.
I’m so sorry. Keep us in the loop as you wish, or just vent.
My mother died from breast cancer, so when they found an anomaly in one of my breasts, needless to say, I was a little terrified.
I went through all the stuff you’re having done, and it turned out to have been exactly what you suspect yours might be: a clogged milk duct.
Thinking of you and wishing you the best possible results.
Yesterday, I found out that a friend of mine, who has been dealing with myelodysplastic syndrome for a couple of years, is one of the 25% who had it turn into leukemia. Yeah, this is nothing (but it’s still my thing).
He’s on medication to stabilize his blood counts, and will be evaluated next month for a bone marrow transplant.
Update, T minus 2 days: I am a bigger nervous wreck now than I ever was before, but then again, I know what COULD happen to me, even though it probably won’t, and they said that last time too.
I rarely drink alcohol, but I had some wine earlier this evening. Did that on election night too.
Keep breathing! I know it’s difficult.
What do you mean, keep breathing? I don’t have a choice!
(I know what you mean.)
With you in spirit.