It's Not "Nothing"!

Phyllis Johnson Been Through It Inflammatory Breast Cancer Survivor Phyllis Johnson grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Parents of... Send Message Subscribe: Phyllis Johnson

Thursday, September 03, 2009
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Over the years, I've been fortunate in my doctors. They've always been competent, and they've mostly been personable. As I've grown older and more assertive, I've learned how to interact with doctors to get the kinds of explanations and follow-up care I need. One phrase d...

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Great scripts, Phyllis
PJ Hamel
Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 08:47 PM

I hope some doctors read them and learn! My other favorite is "It's probably nothing, but let's get you a bone scan anyway." Heck, don't bother with the bone scan if it's probably nothing! If you're ordering a bone scan, it COULD be "something." Go ahead and give me the stats - I'm a big girl, I won't cry. I'm not sure our oncologists realize how strong we become over the course of cancer; we can hear the truth and not fall apart. PJH

reoccurance after 9 years 20 months
Anonymous
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 06:41 AM

I recently found out that my cancer is back in my good breast. Because this is my second time areoung I am having difficulty abount removing my butchered reconstrution breast and my good one. I feel do to the high rick I shoudl have both removed. It is a very hard decision to make because I know what to expect. The good thing is my new cancer is not as large as the first time around, but to me it does not matter. Any doctor that says you are cancer free , there is no such thing. Remission is the proper word. Any suggestions? Kat

re: reoccurance after 9 years 20 months
Phyllis Johnson
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 08:24 AM

I agree with you about the term "cancer free." It always makes me uncomfortable. It seems to have come into use as a more graceful way to say what doctors actually put on your chart: "No evidence of disease." This term is often abbreviated as NED, and it's what I say about myself even though it's been eleven years since my diagnosis.

I'm sorry you are having to go through this again. I don't have any suggestions about the reconstruction issue because I didn't have reconstruction the first time. It seems like a bilateral mastectomy might be a good solution for you. Then you can choose a pair of prostheses in whatever size suits you. However, this is a complicated decision, so you'll want to discuss the risks and benefits of all the options with your doctor.