From the category archives:

Diagnosis

Surgery Day Hurray

August 15, 2009

The day I have worried about, fought for, and pushed for, is finally here. Last time I had surgery, 26 years ago,  two healthy full-term babies, a boy and a girl, were removed from my body. This time the surgeon will remove a specimen of malignant neoplastic tissue, surrounded, I suppose, by normal grizzle and [...]

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Not Too Soon: Pre Op

August 14, 2009

Pre-op at 2.30 P.M. I  wait for 50 minutes although the enormous waiting room is practically empty. Finally,  I walk up to the desk to find out how much longer before they can see me. The attendant  flies up from her chair, returns right away, and assures me “only a few more minutes.”  She comforts [...]

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Full Circle In One Month

August 12, 2009

In the morning, as soon as Dr. Guru’s office opens,  I call to nail down my surgery date.
“We can not plan anything until we have your MRI results,” his assistant sounds tired. “We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. Yes, you can have a lumpectomy next Tuesday.  Anything more involved, requiring more time, will [...]

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Dr. Guru, I Am Mad. Where Are You?

August 7, 2009

Thursday, I only have one thing on my mind, one thought circling my brain like a  hungry wolf.  I want to go under Dr. Guru’s scalpel, I need for him to get rid of my nasty, ugly tumor. Now.
Not a word from Dr. Guru’s office.  Not a word about the MRI results.  Not a word [...]

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The Stereotactic Biopsy Procedure

August 4, 2009

After the MRI, I am scheduled for a biopsy of my left breast. Do I have cancer there also? The Breast “Care” Center, where I had my annual mammogram less than six weeks ago, did, of course, not even mention these calcifications. Did they see them?  I guess I am lucky they finally noticed the  [...]

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“Ask an Expert” – It May Save Your Life

August 1, 2009

You don’t understand your doctor’s mumbo-jumbo, or have doubts?  You are confused about the correctness of your diagnosis or your pathology report? You are too scared to wait six months to find out what may lurk inside your boob?  You have a family member, or a friend, with breast cancer and you want to figure [...]

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MRI Designer Should Design Airline Seats

July 30, 2009

It is strange to begin one’s day by driving to the “Magnolia Cancer Center. ”
“This place cannot be for me,” I think. My husband admits that he, too, gets a jolt at the sight of the large blue sign with white text. The cafeteria, the halls, and the waiting rooms are filled, mostly with old [...]

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Seven Sick Reasons Not to Check Your Breasts

July 27, 2009

I. Nobody in my family has breast cancer.
But: Eighty percent of  post-menopausal breast cancer patients do not have a family history.
II. I need to wait until my son’s wedding, my husbands 50th birthday, our 20th anniversary trip/my daughter’s high school graduation/until after my high school reunion.
But: What could have a higher importance than your health?
III. [...]

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My Medical History Is…Lost

July 22, 2009

My medical records have evaporated. Buried in some nuclear waste site? My “health file” at home contains a brochure regarding an ancient, and expired, insurance plan. Not a single piece of paper refers to past doctor’s visits or mammograms. Not a single reference to the benign findings of my earlier biopsy. Certainly no pathology report.
How [...]

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The Elusive MRI

July 9, 2009

Up till now, I have played the waiting game. I have waited for the diagnostic mammogram,  for the ultrasound and the biopsy, and the biopsy results. I have waited to pick up my x-rays, waited  for an appointment with my surgeon, and for the MRI appointment. Now the time is finally here for the procedure [...]

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