15th December marked 10 months since I received my BC diagnosis. Now, here I am:
1 mastectomy down
1 lumpectomy down
16 chemotherapy rounds in
1 further mastectomy to follow
There are so many things I wish I knew before starting on this path. Here are my top 5.
1. Anyone, absolutely anyone can get breast cancer.
When I went I went along for my mammogram in January of this year. It was with the smug belief that I am doing what I need to do to take care of my health. But I was certain this was just a formality. After all, I had no history of breast cancer in my family. And the women tended to live to a ripe old age. Therefore, I had minimal to no risk.
How wrong could I have been?! That mammogram and ensuing result, was the start of some harsh life lessons. I learned that anyone, absolutely anyone can get breast cancer. I learned that only a small percentage of breast cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations.
So, there I was with no family history of breast cancer, no genetic mutation. Yet an unfolding diagnosis of bilateral breast cancer, with a different type and grade in each breast.
2. I wish I had gotten to know my breasts intimately
This links to number one. Because I was smug and ignorant about breast cancer. I did not make it my business to get to know my breasts intimately. I did not regularly self examine. I did not feel the growing lump in my left breast and needless to say, I did not feel the tiny lobular cancer that was growing in my right breast.
3. I wish I had understood my personal breast cancer risk and the symptoms of breast cancer.
Now I was a 50+, vegetarian, relatively active woman, who drank neglible amounts of alcohol. But I have carried excess weight for my whole adult life. Sometimes being extremely heavy, with plenty yo-yo dieting along the way.
Whilst I had been pretty active for many years, I hadn't been that active since breaking my ankle 2yrs previously. At the same time, I had started to drink more alcohol...
Because I did not think that breast cancer was anything to do with me. I did not make it my business to understand the signs. When I noticed symptoms in the right side of my chest, I totally went down a habit hole, thinking that the symptoms were a continuation of my long covid issues. Not knowing the issue was with my breast, NOT my chest. Sigh...
4. Get to know your local hospitals
When I had my biopsy at the assessment centre. I was given a list of about 10 hospitals to choose where I'd like to have my results appointment. I chose my nearest. Big mistake. HUGE. Yes, I am still alive but the hospital are clearly struggling, none of their systems seem to work, consequently most of the staff seem to have nothing to give.
Had I known more about the hospitals, I would have been more discerning in my choice.
5. Financially prepare for the worst case scenario
A cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment can be financially devastating. It has been for me.
If I had known what I know now. Being self-employed, I would have invested in all of the insurance and financial safeguards known to humankind. It will take me years to recover.
