lizartist's Cancer Blog
November 25, 2006
| More tests as you (all must know better than I) | Views: 783 |
So then my doctor makes an appointment for me to meet with a surgeon. Dr. Chang. Nice lady, head of the Revlon Breast Center here. She puts my mammogram up, pointing out a few more areas of concern.
I am drowning in fear.
They talk about “saving the breast” and what they do if they “can’t save the breast”. I am still terrified of surgery. What if I die during surgery? What will happen to my daughter?
They tell me I have to see a pulmonologist because of my asthma, have an MRI done, see a geneticist, and have ANOTHER biopsy.
My boyfriend is at my side, which is good, because I can’t put a sentence together. I talk to a psychologist, who tells me everything I am feeling is normal. How can it be normal when everything is so abnormal?
There’s nothing normal about this!
My daughter, who now knows about as much as I do, asks me every day if I’m going to die.
I’m not certain, but I tell her no.
You see, I still don’t know the extent of what I have. My daughter turns thirteen in two hours. She was born on Thanksgiving.
More tests as you (all must know better than I), 
2 comments)
09.13.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Hang in there Liz – this is one of the hardest parts. There are so many appointments and everything is new. Try to take one day at a time and not get to overwhelmed by everything. If you are not sure of anything be sure to ask questions. This is a good forum or any place where you can reach out to other survivors. There were so many things I found out from fellow survivors that helped me along the way. so please don’t hesitate to ask.
Dear Liz,
Wow, such bad news and I know it SUCKS. What a terrible welcome to your forties, and equally bad for your newly teenage daughter.
Once the shock wears off a bit, it’s time to tackle the big learning curve. Well, for me, anyway, learning all about the process gave me back the tiniest sense of control.
#1 piece of advice: in spite of medi-cal, you absolutely, positively must get at least a second opinion before you decide what treatment path to pursue. You are the captain of your cancer ship and one doctor’s point-of-view is not enough to give you the full perspective.
My heart goes out to you and your daughter and your boyfriend.
Jane