by Karen Kerr

I was 67 with 13 1/2 years of "clean" mammograms and I was feeling as if I’d beat the breast cancer rap well, until I’d go for a mammogram each year and I’d get that funny feeling and my blood pressure would go up.  But after all those years, it finally happened.  I got a call from the doctor’s office saying that I’d need to go for more tests.  What a whammy.

Luckily, (using the term loosely) I had a mass, not yet a lump, which meant that I would have a stereotactic procedure done the next week.  After an hour long needle biopsy the tests came back that something would need to be done soon.  By now I was NOT a happy camper.  The prognosis was that I could have other masses lurking since my body produces positive estrogen cancer cells.  I felt the best decision to make was to take the breast.

On the day of surgery, I went in early and had a procedure where they put dye into my breasts.  X-rays were taken periodically throughout the next four hours to see the flow of dye towards the sentinel node. When and if it reached that node would determine how many lymph nodes needed to come out to be tested. 

I try to attend as many cancer support meetings that I can. I may be a school counselor, but I need help too. Every time I dress for the day, I say a prayer of thanks, even as a tear falls because of my body’s appearance which is drastically different from most women.  It hurts me to see young women victims.  It hurts not to have found a cause or cure for breast cancer.  It hurts to hear promotions declaring "if you do this or do that you may prevent cancer".   Beans!  Not true!

I want to speak out and let others know that life goes on.  To any or all of you who have had to deal with a double mastectomy, please feel free to call me or come to the support group.  Please don’t sit at home as we all need your support and you may need ours.

I want to thank my husband, family members and friends who helped me to doctor appointments, sent well wishes and got me through it all.  I know that I must live each day to its fullest and be the best I can be.

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Taken from www.thebreastcancersite.com which is sponsored by Amoena

The impact of suddenly confronting a life threatening illness like breast cancer can overwhelm the most disciplined brain.  The mind enters fight or flight mode, where every decision is about survival with little thought for details.

Breast cancer survivors who have undergone surgery as part of their treatment often describe the entire period between diagnosis and surgery as "a big blur."  With their minds still stunned by the diagnosis, they attempt to discuss surgery with their doctor, only to find themselves unable to follow information or articulate questions effectively.

To help get all the facts down, many patient counselors suggest bringing along a spouse or friend who can help ask questions and retain answers.  Others suggest writing down all the questions you can think to ask before your scheduled appointment, then writing down or tape recording the answers.
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You may also find other professionals in the physician's or surgeon's office that can help answer many of these questions as well.

• What is the name for the type of breast cancer I have?
• Why is surgery recommended?
• Are there non-surgical alternatives?
• What is the alternative?
• What is the name for the type of surgery that I am to undergo?
• Will I be sedated or will I undergo general anesthesia?
• What are the risks of this type of surgery?
• Do I have any medical conditions that will make this surgery riskier?
• Will I need plastic or reconstructive surgery after this procedure?  If so, can it be done at the same time? If not, how long should I wait?
• Will reconstructive surgery make it harder to detect a recurrence of the cancer in the affected breast?
• If I do not have reconstructive surgery, are there prosthetic products available for the affected breast?  How about for a lumpectomy?
• How long will I be in the operating room?
• How long will I be in recovery?
• Will I then go home, go to a regular room or to ICU?
• How soon can I have visitors?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• How much pain will I be in?
• Will I receive medication for the pain?
• Do you have pictures of women that have undergone similar surgery?
• What kind of scar will I have?
• Are there steps I can take to lessen the appearance of my scar?
• Will I have lymph nodes removed? If so, how many?
• Will this put me at increased risk for lymphedema?
• How will we know if the surgery was a success?
• How soon after my surgery will I see you and get a progress report?
• Will I have a drain attached to the affected area when I am discharged? If so, will I get instructions on how to use it?
• How soon after my discharge should I come back to see you for follow up?
• What are the restrictions on what I can do at home?
• Will I be given written instructions for home care when I am discharged?
• Can you recommend a counselor for my emotional well-being if I need someone to talk to?
• Will I need physical therapy?
• What else am I likely to undergo as part of my overall treatment plan?

You should also take along some blank paper to jot down last minute questions or instructions as they occur. Remember, it’s normal to have a hard time staying focused when your health is threatened.  Making question lists like this one, and writing down the answers is a healthy way to keep your facts straight while you concentrate on the battle ahead.

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