Which way to turn

I never realized what having breast cancer meant in terms of other people and various relationships. Everyone and her sister has referred me to a friend or consultant to get good advice. I've talked to a few breast cancer survivors and others who just seem to know everything about breast cancer.

I've talked to a couple of friends who have survived and really appreciate their precise explanation of where they were, the stage, the treatment, the pitfalls, and so on. I appreciate how informed they are and how well they could answer my questions. I've also communicated with friends who have knowledge of breast cancer from their various studies. Thank God for the Internet.

I've talked to others who can't really answer my questions because they can't remember, had no knowledge of their own cancers, or really have no experience. Some have been adamant about what various remedies I must take to cure my cancer. Others have been adamant about exactly which doctors I must see. I would have to interview for the next year to get all those doctors covered. Some tell me I shouldn't be treating mine unless it becomes invasive. Some have been adamant that I should have thermography and ultrasound before I believe anything about mammography or the biopsies. Others told me that the biopsies have already spread the cancer.

All of these friends are well-meaning. I am not complaining; just overwhelmed. I am ever so grateful for the time and care each has given me.

One friend sent me some good information from Dr. Ralph Moss, a world renowned cancer researcher.  Two of his statements about DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) especially caught my attention:

"Precisely what percentage of these latent, precancerous lesions might eventually progress to become truly invasive tumors is unknown, although it has been estimated that almost 50 percent of all in situ cancers will never progress and would be better left undetected and therefore untreated (Handler 2003)."

"Perhaps one day in the future there will be a way of distinguishing between those women whose DCIS poses an imminent threat of invasiveness and those whose lesions are harmless, so that treatment can be directed only towards those who truly need it. Currently, though, such a test does not exist."

That pretty much gave me my answer. My oncologist said the same thing.

I had thermography. It is a method of sensing heat within various organs. A breast tumor will give off heat and change the appearance and color of the output. My thermography did not pick up either of my cancerous lesions. $300, k-ching, k-ching. Then, I learned that thermography will not detect breast cancer until it has become invasive. So far, mine appears not to have spread although my surgeon is concerned about a 6 cm line of tissue between the two cancerous spots, and she is concerned about a bit of lobular hyperplasia. The thermographer begged me not to treat my cancer but to have ($300 k-ching, k-ching) thermography every three months, and to use various alternative, natural treatments and potions. Throughout my time there, I had to keep pinching myself into realizing I was not buying a vacuum cleaner or new car.

The other thing I've found is that people are incredibly kind to me now that I joined the ranks of the pink sisters. I've been desperately ill for many years with Lyme disease. The last eight years have been particularly hellish. I can't say anyone understood except my Lyme docs and probably my husband. Others just looked at me and moved on. Lyme is the invisible, lonely illness and no one understands the inner scream and isolation it creates. I feel a lot of grief about that and the toll it has taken.

Just say No to Obamacare.