For women diagnosed with breast cancer, there are many concerns and choices to be made. 2 months ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 78.
Because the spots were caught during a routine exam and they were small, the prognosis was good for a complete recovery. In fact the doctor, waited nearly a month and a half before scheduling surgery.
This lack of concern angered some of us. Finally 2 weeks ago, my mother had the surgery.
She opted to stay awake and use only a local anesthesia. She requested this because she doesn’t like feeling nauseous after surgery. She also wants to be aware of what is going on. Her request is unusual. They usually put you out completely for this operation.
She came home the same day and was doing her chores. This was because she was still numb. Once it wore off in the night, she was in a lot of pain. She took a pain pill which makes her head spin. She resisted taking more than one pill per day for the next 5 days. This isn’t meant to scare you. She is stubborn. If you don’t want pain, take the pills.
3 days ago, she went back in for her followup checkup. She is still sore and bruised from all the cutting that is required even for small lumpectomies. Remember the doctor gave her 100% recovery odds and dragged his feet on getting her in for surgery? He didn’t get it all. The cancer is there.
Waiting 6 weeks to have breast cancer removed is very stressful.
Every waking minute, any woman is worried. She wants it gone. Once you go through the surgery which includes not eating the day before and arriving at the hospital at 6am for prep 6 hours early, you are pretty glad it is over. Imagine being told 2 weeks later, you have to do it all over again.
She is in pain. She is now more worried than ever. She is angry at the doctor. She has already paid her deductible on fixed income.
In fairness to doctors, maybe even this one. It is actually very common to have 2 surgeries. What the average surgeon misses are small breakaway pieces called floaters.
E host Giuliana Rancic had a double lumpectomy last October. It too, like my mothers was unsuccessful. I would think, that she had a doctor of great reputation do her surgery. So whether it is one of the best surgeons or the local doctor more concerned with making tee off time, this failure has a good chance of happening.
My mother is going to opt for a second lumpectomy.
Giuliana opted for a double mastectomy. A recent study by Virginia Commonwealth University, concluded that 2/3 of women diagnosed with breast cancer, prefer to be given options and make the decisions themselves. Only one third agree to just do what the doctor wants do regardless.
I hope and pray to end this article in a month with a happy update. For any women diagnosed with breast cancer should know what to expect. There are choices you should make, not your doctor.
Update 1:
It took over 3 weeks to get a new surgery. This time the cuts were bigger and deeper. The doctor planned before the surgery to take out 1 lymph node. He said take out too many and mom would lose the use of her right arm. They ended up taking out 5 lymph nodes.
Fortunately, mom can still use her arm. 4 of the lymph nodes were perfectly normal upon inspection. One of them looked a bit suspect and is currently being tested in the lab.
Once again, they think they got all the cancer. This time however she is scheduled for radiation treatments. they have not ruled out chemotherapy. Seeing her dad go through chemo 30 years ago and him just dieing anyway – it is unlikely she would agree to it.
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