[mcmama]

Under the subcategories for health, there is no Cancer heading. Seems that this is something people might want to discuss and connect about.

No, I don't mean sales pitches for home remedies and the like. I mean people who are living with cancer, making decisions, learning more and sharing. I have a neighbor who is in advanced stage of bone cancer - he is very knowledgeable and has a good rapport with his doctor. One thing he hates - and what my mother hated when she was sick - is people who think that they need to rescue him with a cure, or a different doctor. He's sick, but he's not stupid!

I haven't faced this yet, but I know genetically that it is probably coming. Just wondered if anyone had any interest in sharing their experiences and questions with survivors and friends.

[Kevin]

Actually, we just removed the cancer forum the other day, as nobody was using it. We thought traffic would be better directed to the general health discussion for now so that the few people who were posting there might have a better chance at getting their questions answered.

In the future, we plan on creating a robust cancer site to help families struggling with it, but right now we're probably going to have to let it go, unfortunately.

[cocotbo]

My maternal grandmother and aunt have both survived breast cancer. My mother had a scare, but it turned out to be nothing – yet. My grandmother had the whole biopsy, chemotherapy thing and it really took a lot out of her. Finally, the cancer spread and she decided to have a double mastectomy. My aunt avoided all the extra stuff and as soon as any cancer was detected, she had the double mastectomy.

Knowing that breast cancer is often a hereditary issue, I’ve given the subject a great deal of thought. I think it is important for people to be proactive and consider what they would do if they were in this sort of situation – especially if they have a family history of it.

Do you do regular self-exams? Have you had a baseline mammogram yet? What would you do if you found a lump? Would you go through chemotherapy? Would you have a mastectomy? Would you have reconstructive surgery? How would you deal with hair loss? Would you tell your story to help others be aware or would you hide it?

[mcmama]

I had a co worker who had a double mastectomy - she was very ill and out of commission for about a year. But she came roaring back and was top salesperson in our office. She said her inspiration was all those bills to pay with college coming up! She never had the reconstruction and looks just fine. For others, it is a personal choice.
A lot of the rest of it really isn't a choice - you do what you need to do in order to live - but you might get a second opinion about it.
As for hair loss - my mom wore a wig. She had it styled by the same lady who did her hair. People who did not know she was sick asked her if she were exercising or something, she looked so great and even her hair was different and so much better!

[cocotbo]

You know, I agree with you - you do what you have to do to stay alive - but my best friend saw her mother die very quickly from breast cancer and she refuses to have mammograms. She believes that if it is going to happen then it will and she'll go as quickly as her mother did.

Her philosophy is the polar opposite of mine.

[shazbo]

i my self would rather not know if i have it or not . i think it would send me into deep depression .if its going to happen it will