Breast Cancer

A friend was diagnosed with breast cancer last month and has already had a lumpectomy to remove it. Now comes the chemo and the radiation treatments...and the fear for the rest of her life that the cancer might return.

Being diagnosed with any kind of cancer is frightening but the one that women dread most is breast cancer. Mutilation from within with any other type of cancer can't be seen but if we have a breast removed, it's a constant reminder that our lives will never be the same again.

A long time ago I read up on the survival expectations of women who had a lumpectomy versus mastectomy and was relieved to see they were about the same. That meant that if I were ever to have to choose one it would be an easy decision to make. It's best to have this information beforehand because, once diagnosed, I don't think we'd be thinking too clearly.

My friend had the lumpectomy and there was no involvement in the lymph nodes but the cancer is rather large so there's a good chance she'll have to go through chemo as well as radiation. It's not going to be an easy road for her but it's one she'll have to take.

We all know people who have beat cancer but we also know of the ones who lost the battle so any diagnosis of cancer carries fear and uncertainty for the patient, their families, and their friends. And everyone is helpless to do anything except to wait and let their doctors do the best they can. Not an easy road for any of them.

We have a lady here in the park who had breast cancer almost 5 years ago and she's happy, healthy, and active today. She's the one we have to look to for encouragement because she gives us hope.