Why Am I Exceptional?

I enjoy reading your blogs and you are helping me to understand what nobody explained to me about the recurrence of my triple negative breast cancer so soon after my radiation was completed. I think at the time I was in a state of shock, followed by fear it may have metastasized then followed by relief it hadn't that I probably didn't ask enough questions. I do remember my surgeon scratching his head in disbelief at the time. The only thing I was told was that my dense breasts did not image well. At the time there was not a radiation oncologist in Cairns and I was seen by a visiting radiation oncologist from Townsville where I had had my treatment. I actually found my new lump a couple of days before my routine appointment with him. I remember him congratulating me on being vigilant with my breast examination and finding the lump. By the time I had my mastectomy and chemotherapy Cairns had its own radiation unit open and I never saw that radiation oncologist again as I saw the new one. There have since been a succession of radiation oncologists in Cairns. However it seems the one who I now see is here to stay for a while. I will certainly be picking her brains on my next visit with some of the information you have shared. So again thanks for sharing. It's nice to know we are exceptional...unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. Thanks also for the update of statistics. This Sept is five years since my first diagnosis so I will quietly be cheering. Only one year and eight months until five years from 2nd diagnosis. I wonder if there is a statistic about that. I can't believe they are thinking of cutting breast care nurse positions. I have a friend who is a part-time breast care nurse nurse in Cairns and there is also a full time one. They probably service a population of around 250,000 people and are run off their feet.

I wish you all the best in the lead up to your surgery and your recovery. Paula x