Go back to "Our Breast-Cancer Story"

 

 

4. Cut - Burn - Poison 

 

We went to see a Surgeon Oncologist at the Hackensack University Hospital, NJ, to talk about the next steps and explore the available breast cancer treatment options. He was very nice and patiently answered our two million questions we had for him. In essence, what we learned from was, that the tumor has to be taken out and depending on how much of the surrounding tissue has to be removed along with the tumor, it will be a breast conserving operation, called Lumpectomy, or a Mastectomy (surgical removal of the entire breast) with reconstruction. Some women choose to have a mastectomy no matter what. The thought of having "everything" removed, gives them a greater peace of mind, however, there are numerous studies out there that suggest that the is no difference between an entire removal of the breast or just taking out the tumor and affected adjacent tissue, with regard to the risk of recurrence.

One important thing we learned during the conversation we had with the doctor was, that ER-/PR-, according to his opinion, means nothing else but having just fewer Chemotherapy treatment options available. Anyway, the doctor suggested having another mammo done and more testing. I specifically asked him, how critical time was. And he confirmed that a matter of week or even months is no problem at all.

 

This is tough, yet, extremely important to understand and accept. Because one of the things that kicks in along with the unavoidable paranoia of a breast cancer diagnosis: you think that time is of essence and everything needs to be done immediately. Well, unless you are terminally ill, you should definitely take your time - and yes, we are talking about WEEKS - to gather all the information you need, and only then make an educated decision as to what kind of breast-cancer treatment path you want to pursue. 

 

The alternative camp strongly suggests that all three traditional cancer treament options:

 

  • Surgery ("Cut")

  • Radiation ("Burn")

  • Chemotherapy ("Poison")

 

are ineffective and even harmful to cancer patients. This is a summarized statement of mine, and of course, there is much more to the story, but in general, I think that's a pretty accurate reflection of what alternative - or complimentary - breast cancer treatment experts stand for.

 

 

 

I will explain both, the traditional and alternative treatment options, their underlying philosophy and practical approach to breast cancer treatment, in detail within the Breast-Cancer Information section of this website. Well, I'll try to the best of my ability, anyway.

 

Before we move on, let me briefly talk a little bit about the dreading thought of having a mastectomy, from a husband’s perspective.

As Ann got diagnosed, there was only one thing that I wanted, and that was having her getting fully healthy again, no matter what, what ever it may take. If that would mean to have one or both breasts removed, so what? 

I couldn't care less, and I mean what I say. I mean, what is the alternative IF a mastectomy was the only option left? Talking your wife into keeping her breast no matter what? That doesn't make any sense to me. And that's exactly what I told Ann. And the reason I told her that, was not only with the intention to comfort her, but much rather because this was how I truthfully felt about the situation. If she ended up with a set of faked boobs - so what? I would still find her as sexy and attractive as I ever did.

Interestingly enough, though, most of the husbands I met felt exactly the same like I do. They, as I, just want to get their wifes being okay. However, and for obvious reasons, most of the women have a completely different take on that.

It's easy for us males to tell our wife's that we will love them just as much, etc.. But we got to realize and accept, that it is not our own bodies we are talking about, that's the truth of the matter. And even most of us may think, hey, no big deal, as long as she is okay, it is a completely different story for the women. But for me it was important to let Ann know, that no matter what she was going to do, I will be perfectly fine with it. Which, again, was the absolute truth and not only an attempt to give her some comfort.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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