Reflections - Diagnosis & Biopsy

When the surgical oncologist confirmed that it was cancer, I was devastated as I had been half hoping that it was only a fibroscystic lump. I had told a cousin that I was prepared for the worst, but I realised that no matter how mentally prepared I was when the truth was delivered, it was like a stunning blow. Fortunately I did not break down until the onco mentioned my children, only then did I had to fight back my tears. I found out that when one objected to conventional treatments, the onco will use your dear ones, especially the children to break down your defence.
After the initial shock is over, allow time to grief if necessary, but quickly master the courage to take control of the situation. I met a fellow patient who told me that she cried everyday for 1 whole month when she was diagnosed. She had an 8-cm tumour and had 11 out of 12 lymph nodes affected. She wanted chemo but could not due to some problems with the production of her blood cells. When she talked to me, she still appeared very flustered. I wonder how she is doing now.

Approach with a positive mind, do not let the cancer control you. Even with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, there is still time to seek a second or third opinion.

In reality, it is very difficult to find a professional who can give fair advice based on each individual's condition. One either gets a pro-conventional treatment or anti, who are the naturopaths. Anyway, it is a gamble and it is up to the patient to take the gamble.

Open up and talk to people, especially those who have gone through the same experience. Go through the reports whenever you get them and ask the oncologists questions. I know that the oncologists at NCC are very busy and there are just too many cases for them to handle.

My surgical oncologist attends to patients in two or three rooms. The staff helped to prepare the patients in the rooms and as soon as she is done with one, she hops to another in the next room.

My mistake was in not talking to people initially and only restricted myself to very few people. Otherwise, I would have learnt that a biopsy is not exactly necessary as I had already decided on surgery. Whatever samples needed could be taken during surgery. I would have saved myself from unnecessary pain and lessen the risk of the cancer metastasizing.