Fighting Breast Cancer

I went for my yearly exam at my OB/GYN this week.  In addition to the usual humiliations that one normally endures during a GYN visit, I intended to have the doctor drain a so-called cyst in my right breast.  A pap smear and a giant needle stuck in my boob all in one wonderful day.  What could be more fun?

A little backstory: 

At my previous visit with my doctor, I had pointed out a lump that I had found in my breast. He told me that it was Fibrocystic Breast Disease and that I had nothing to worry about.  He said that if the cyst grew, that would mean that it was filling up with fluid, which he could easily drain in the office.  Because of this benign diagnoses, I didn’t feel a sense of urgency as the lump grew in my breast between appointments.  It wasn’t until I developed a constant, dry, hacking cough that I began to worry…or should I say, my husband began to worry.  

My cough was so bad that I could barely talk on the telephone.  I thought that my cough was allergy / asthma induced, so I made an appointment with my doctor a few months early to take care of the cyst in my breast and to get an inhaler for my cough.

During my exam, I reclined on the table and lifted my arm over my head as the doctor requested.  I knew something was wrong by the look on his face.  He led me to another room where he had an ultra-sound machine set up for pelvic exams.  He then reached for a prescription pad and ordered me to get a mammogram at a nearby radiologist’s office.  I was shocked by how easy it was for him to do that.  If all he had to do was write my name at the top of a pre-printed prescription pad, why hadn’t he done that the year before?

You see, the year before, like many young women, I was not offered a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy- nothing.  This was a terrible mistake on the part of my doctor, but again, all too common in younger women.

Check out this article.  It explains that misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of breast cancer is the most common medical malpractice suit.  Now, before I get any hate mail:  I am not condoning or condemning the suing of doctors.  I love doctors.  I am simply posting this for everyone’s best interest.  I would hope any doctor reading this would download the article, read it, and pass it on to a colleague.  It could save a life.  Take all lumps seriously doctors; follow them closely or stick a needle in it!  Please! (and thank you)   

3 Responses to “The Dreaded Look”

1. mike.d Says:
   June 29th, 2007 at 2:01 am

   I was delighted to come across this wonderful Blog. Thank you for putting it together. I wish you health, wellness and the very best in your fight.

   Just thought I’d share a recent discovery with you at UC Berkeley that you and some of your readers may find useful. Scientists at Cal have recently discovered that Diindolylmethane from Brassica vegetables is a potent activator of the immune system with very potent anti-cancer properties.

   More information about this breakthrough discovery is available at:

   http://www.diindolylmethane.org/

   http://www.activamune.com/

2. carmen Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 5:38 pm

   Sept 11/07

   Hello Karen and Michael,

   Was googling trying to find the logo for Breast Cancer to make posters to decorate our golf carts for a Breast Cancer golf tournament coming up this friday and came upon your blog.Wow… unbeleivable.Quite a trip for you all ! But you know Karen, I don’t even know you…(curious…what sign are you ?) but after reading all this I feel like I do ! ! Life is about choices ! You either choose to fight…or choose to give up. You are definetly a fighter !
   You go girl ! My thoughts will be with you this friday, and I will tell all my girlfriends to look up your blog.
   Good Luck….stay strong ,
   all my best ,

   Carmen Saumure
   Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

3. pligg.com Says:
   July 22nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm

   Fighting Breast Cancer: My Fight with Stage IV Cancer

   The “Fighting Breast Cancer” Blog: Most blogs put the “most recent” entry at the top of the page. Fighting Breast Cancer blog starts with first doctor’s visit.

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