Hi I am new

[Guest guest]

Hello

My name is Phyllis. I do not have breast cancer, but my aunt (on my maternal

side) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy last week.

I am concerned because I feel that I may be at high risk. I have dense

breast. I was recently told by my doctor that mammograms are a waste of my

time. He failed to tell me what I should do. I had a hysterectomy in my

mid-thirties. I have been on HRT for over 5 years. My doctor did take me off

the HRT and place me on Evista (I have osteopenia in my hips) So I guess I

am hoping that you all can guide me and help me with some decision making. I

am somewhat terrified at this moment. Any suggestions would be greatly

appreciated.

Thank you for allowing me to join your group.

_________________________________________________________________

Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

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[Guest guest]

Hi Phyllis,

I am not a doctor, so I don't know what you should do instead of a

mammogram, but clearly you need to do something (guessing an

ultrasound). Which helpful (sarcasm) doctor said this? You have to

call his office and get an answer, or a referral to an ob/gyn or

breast specialist.

One thing all of us have learned is you have to stand up for

yourself.

Your aunt being diagnosed does not by itself significantly raise

your risk. Most people who get brast cancer do not have a known

genetic connection -- it's kind of random. Do you have other

relatives with breast cancer, or other cancers?

Getting off the HRT is clearly a good idea, based on recent study

results.

Best wishes,

>

> Hello

> My name is Phyllis. I do not have breast cancer, but my aunt (on

my maternal

> side) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy

last week.

> I am concerned because I feel that I may be at high risk. I have

dense

> breast. I was recently told by my doctor that mammograms are a

waste of my

> time. He failed to tell me what I should do. I had a hysterectomy

in my

> mid-thirties. I have been on HRT for over 5 years. My doctor did

take me off

> the HRT and place me on Evista (I have osteopenia in my hips) So I

guess I

> am hoping that you all can guide me and help me with some decision

making. I

> am somewhat terrified at this moment. Any suggestions would be

greatly

> appreciated.

> Thank you for allowing me to join your group.

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

> http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?

source=hmemtagline_donation&FORM=WLMTAG

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Phyllis. I would say an MRI, ultrasound or sonogram. I

can't think of any other tests. Maybe some of the other ladies might have more

suggestions.

If your Aunt has a computer we would love to have her join us. I will keep you

both in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Hi I am new

Hello

My name is Phyllis. I do not have breast cancer, but my aunt (on my maternal

side) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy last week.

I am concerned because I feel that I may be at high risk. I have dense

breast. I was recently told by my doctor that mammograms are a waste of my

time. He failed to tell me what I should do. I had a hysterectomy in my

mid-thirties. I have been on HRT for over 5 years. My doctor did take me off

the HRT and place me on Evista (I have osteopenia in my hips) So I guess I

am hoping that you all can guide me and help me with some decision making. I

am somewhat terrified at this moment. Any suggestions would be greatly

appreciated.

Thank you for allowing me to join your group.

__________________________________________________________

Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?source=hmemtagline_do\

nation&FORM=WLMTAG

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.14/636 - Release Date: 1/18/2007

[Guest guest]

Phyllis:

Welcome to the group.

Your doctor told you that mammograms would be no help to

you????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

What kind of doctor is that?!!!!!!!!!

I have now a dense breast. The tumor that I had was not felt in the exam

although other things were felt. The mammogram picked up the tumor and

ultrasound confirmed it.

Find another doctor. Also, as I understand with the HRT, you could be at risk

also. With breast cancer in your family already, don't take any chances, please.

Run, don't walk to a different doctor and get your mammogram. Better to be sure

than not. Remember, too, that breast cancer is not a death sentence. My

oncologist told me that 80% of lumps are not cancer. But you won't know until

you get the mammogram.

Your doctor should have to go through a mammogram.

I am sorry to hear about your aunt. Will be keeping her in my prayers and

you.

Phyllis Towe ptowe2004@...> wrote:

Hello

My name is Phyllis. I do not have breast cancer, but my aunt (on my maternal

side) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy last week.

I am concerned because I feel that I may be at high risk. I have dense

breast. I was recently told by my doctor that mammograms are a waste of my

time. He failed to tell me what I should do. I had a hysterectomy in my

mid-thirties. I have been on HRT for over 5 years. My doctor did take me off

the HRT and place me on Evista (I have osteopenia in my hips) So I guess I

am hoping that you all can guide me and help me with some decision making. I

am somewhat terrified at this moment. Any suggestions would be greatly

appreciated.

Thank you for allowing me to join your group.

__________________________________________________________

Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?source=hmemtagline_do\

nation&FORM=WLMTAG

Jan Koelsch

---------------------------------

Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and

always stay connected to friends.

[Guest guest]

I've found that many doctors don't take your risk of gene-related

breast cancer seriously until you have a first degree relative w/

breast cancer (mom or sister). In my case, my mom's sister died

from breast cancer at 37, my mom's other sister died in her late

50's from ovarian cancer, and two of my cousin's on my mom's side

has the BRAC2 gene. I also have a cousin a couple of years older

than me on my dad's side who has breast cancer now.

One of the good things about me being diagnosed w/ breast cancer is

that my 4 sisters will now be taken seriously when they have any

breast issues. Their doctors will be less likely to want to wait a

while to see if a lump goes away.

>

> Hello

> My name is Phyllis. I do not have breast cancer, but my aunt (on

my maternal

> side) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy

last week.

> I am concerned because I feel that I may be at high risk. I have

dense

> breast. I was recently told by my doctor that mammograms are a

waste of my

> time. He failed to tell me what I should do. I had a hysterectomy

in my

> mid-thirties. I have been on HRT for over 5 years. My doctor did

take me off

> the HRT and place me on Evista (I have osteopenia in my hips) So I

guess I

> am hoping that you all can guide me and help me with some decision

making. I

> am somewhat terrified at this moment. Any suggestions would be

greatly

> appreciated.

> Thank you for allowing me to join your group.

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

> http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?

source=hmemtagline_donation&FORM=WLMTAG

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I've found that many doctors don't take your risk of gene-related

> breast cancer seriously until you have a first degree relative w/

> breast cancer (mom or sister).

My experience shows it is worse than that.

Of course farther relatives, such as my father's sister (who died in

her 30s) and his first cousin (diagnosed in her 30s, died of colon

cancer in her 50s) are pretty much ignored. And I noticed they have

been *definitely* ignored if they are your father's rather than your

mother's side. The forms I filled out for my mammogram only had

boxes to be checked for mother or sister. I've always added *father*

since my dad was diagnosed 9 years ago. It's as though you can only

get breasts from your mother, and your father has nothing at all to

do with your sex.

It's only *now* when *I*'ve been diagnosed after my annual mammogram

showed problems (9 years after my father, 7 years after my older

sister) that history involving my father and his side of the family

is being taken seriously. As well, *his* diagnosis only came about

because my *mother* pushed his doc to take a biopsy, after multiple

visits for the problem with his breast. The doc only did it to

appease her, not because he thought the possibility was there. This

illustrates one reason why *men* with BC have poorer prognoses than

we do - theirs is usually caught later (My father's tumor was the

size of a walnut by the time they got around to doing the

mastectomy, and one of the [female] techs doing his 6-month follow-

up mammograms told him he didn't need to have them.)

I've got 2 sisters following me, the elder of which doesn't have

insurance.

As for me, this dreadful cold I have will probably finally be gone

about the time the genetics test results come back.

I will have to say, however, that the counsellor said it still might

not be the BRCA1/2 mutations. It could be some other mutation they

haven't identified yet, or something our family has experienced in

common. And I do have to say that finally it was *the MD's* idea to

do the testing this time around. Especially when she heard it was my

*father* who had the BC.

(Both father and sister are doing well, by the way.)

Ann

[Guest guest]

That is so terrible. I can't imagine how frusterating that is. I'm so sorry that

I have no words that can help. You know, when my mother was first diagnosed with

a brain tumor she was 13. She went to at least 50 different doctors to find out

what was wrong with her and why she was having tremors - they all told her

mother she was faking it. Finally my great uncle told her mother, my grandmother

I should say, what doctor to go to because he knew she had some kind of tumor.

Sure enough she did. She went for such a long time without being treated. Since

this happened... I have an extremely hard time trusting doctors. I'd like to

think they all know what they are doing but everyone screws up. I went today to

have a breast sonogramm... the doctor told me that I have only a cluster of

benign cists. When he said that it just didn't feel right. I guess it was my

mistrust for his word... but I don't see how you can tell by a picture that

something is benign... not to mention I

wasn't too keen on a male touching my breast. I was pretty pissed that they had

a woman doing it and then brought in the male Dr. But anywho off subject... I

don't know. I spoke to my father about it and he is a bit uneasy too. He

suggested that I get a second opinion. So I am. I just feel in my heart that

something is wrong. I may be just being paranoid... but when it applies to my

health I don't care if I am overly so. I just want reassurance is all. It's

better to be cautious than to not be and regret it.

Oh and I am very happy to hear that your family is doing well. I am always

glad to hear happy stories. It makes me feel peaceful inside. You are very

lucky. Where is your mother? If you don't mind me asking. My mother passed away

on my 6th birthday. She was a wonderful lady from what I can remember. Everyone

tells me that I am almost identical in personality and hobbies to her. The only

difference is that I got my fathers dark brown hair and his short body. LOl...

sadly not my mothers tall skinny figure. No i'm kidding... I am very happy with

me... How about you. How are you holding up?

~a

annk_71679 ann.kalinowski@...> wrote:

>

> I've found that many doctors don't take your risk of gene-related

> breast cancer seriously until you have a first degree relative w/

> breast cancer (mom or sister).

My experience shows it is worse than that.

Of course farther relatives, such as my father's sister (who died in

her 30s) and his first cousin (diagnosed in her 30s, died of colon

cancer in her 50s) are pretty much ignored. And I noticed they have

been *definitely* ignored if they are your father's rather than your

mother's side. The forms I filled out for my mammogram only had

boxes to be checked for mother or sister. I've always added *father*

since my dad was diagnosed 9 years ago. It's as though you can only

get breasts from your mother, and your father has nothing at all to

do with your sex.

It's only *now* when *I*'ve been diagnosed after my annual mammogram

showed problems (9 years after my father, 7 years after my older

sister) that history involving my father and his side of the family

is being taken seriously. As well, *his* diagnosis only came about

because my *mother* pushed his doc to take a biopsy, after multiple

visits for the problem with his breast. The doc only did it to

appease her, not because he thought the possibility was there. This

illustrates one reason why *men* with BC have poorer prognoses than

we do - theirs is usually caught later (My father's tumor was the

size of a walnut by the time they got around to doing the

mastectomy, and one of the [female] techs doing his 6-month follow-

up mammograms told him he didn't need to have them.)

I've got 2 sisters following me, the elder of which doesn't have

insurance.

As for me, this dreadful cold I have will probably finally be gone

about the time the genetics test results come back.

I will have to say, however, that the counsellor said it still might

not be the BRCA1/2 mutations. It could be some other mutation they

haven't identified yet, or something our family has experienced in

common. And I do have to say that finally it was *the MD's* idea to

do the testing this time around. Especially when she heard it was my

*father* who had the BC.

(Both father and sister are doing well, by the way.)

Ann

---------------------------------

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Guest guest]

Well that is exactly what they did with me. Well it didn't go away. It trippled

in size. Doctors make me so angry. I went to have a breast sonogramm today. The

doctor told me that I have what appears to be benign cists. I get the results

tomorrow. My father and I feel that i should go for a second opinion.

~a

laurava23233 jeff.laura@...> wrote:

I've found that many doctors don't take your risk of gene-related

breast cancer seriously until you have a first degree relative w/

breast cancer (mom or sister). In my case, my mom's sister died

from breast cancer at 37, my mom's other sister died in her late

50's from ovarian cancer, and two of my cousin's on my mom's side

has the BRAC2 gene. I also have a cousin a couple of years older

than me on my dad's side who has breast cancer now.

One of the good things about me being diagnosed w/ breast cancer is

that my 4 sisters will now be taken seriously when they have any

breast issues. Their doctors will be less likely to want to wait a

while to see if a lump goes away.

>

> Hello

> My name is Phyllis. I do not have breast cancer, but my aunt (on

my maternal

> side) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy

last week.

> I am concerned because I feel that I may be at high risk. I have

dense

> breast. I was recently told by my doctor that mammograms are a

waste of my

> time. He failed to tell me what I should do. I had a hysterectomy

in my

> mid-thirties. I have been on HRT for over 5 years. My doctor did

take me off

> the HRT and place me on Evista (I have osteopenia in my hips) So I

guess I

> am hoping that you all can guide me and help me with some decision

making. I

> am somewhat terrified at this moment. Any suggestions would be

greatly

> appreciated.

> Thank you for allowing me to join your group.

>

> __________________________________________________________

> Turn searches into helpful donations. Make your search count.

> http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?

source=hmemtagline_donation&FORM=WLMTAG

>

---------------------------------

Get your own web address.

Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

---------------------------------

Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real people

who know.

[Guest guest]

a,

I would definitely get a second opinion for peace of mind. I will keep you in my

prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Re: Re: Hi I am new

That is so terrible. I can't imagine how frusterating that is. I'm so sorry

that I have no words that can help. You know, when my mother was first diagnosed

with a brain tumor she was 13. She went to at least 50 different doctors to find

out what was wrong with her and why she was having tremors - they all told her

mother she was faking it. Finally my great uncle told her mother, my grandmother

I should say, what doctor to go to because he knew she had some kind of tumor.

Sure enough she did. She went for such a long time without being treated. Since

this happened... I have an extremely hard time trusting doctors. I'd like to

think they all know what they are doing but everyone screws up. I went today to

have a breast sonogramm... the doctor told me that I have only a cluster of

benign cists. When he said that it just didn't feel right. I guess it was my

mistrust for his word... but I don't see how you can tell by a picture that

something is benign... not to mention I

wasn't too keen on a male touching my breast. I was pretty pissed that they

had a woman doing it and then brought in the male Dr. But anywho off subject...

I don't know. I spoke to my father about it and he is a bit uneasy too. He

suggested that I get a second opinion. So I am. I just feel in my heart that

something is wrong. I may be just being paranoid... but when it applies to my

health I don't care if I am overly so. I just want reassurance is all. It's

better to be cautious than to not be and regret it.

Oh and I am very happy to hear that your family is doing well. I am always

glad to hear happy stories. It makes me feel peaceful inside. You are very

lucky. Where is your mother? If you don't mind me asking. My mother passed away

on my 6th birthday. She was a wonderful lady from what I can remember. Everyone

tells me that I am almost identical in personality and hobbies to her. The only

difference is that I got my fathers dark brown hair and his short body. LOl...

sadly not my mothers tall skinny figure. No i'm kidding... I am very happy with

me... How about you. How are you holding up?

~a

annk_71679 ann.kalinowski@...> wrote:

>

> I've found that many doctors don't take your risk of gene-related

> breast cancer seriously until you have a first degree relative w/

> breast cancer (mom or sister).

My experience shows it is worse than that.

Of course farther relatives, such as my father's sister (who died in

her 30s) and his first cousin (diagnosed in her 30s, died of colon

cancer in her 50s) are pretty much ignored. And I noticed they have

been *definitely* ignored if they are your father's rather than your

mother's side. The forms I filled out for my mammogram only had

boxes to be checked for mother or sister. I've always added *father*

since my dad was diagnosed 9 years ago. It's as though you can only

get breasts from your mother, and your father has nothing at all to

do with your sex.

It's only *now* when *I*'ve been diagnosed after my annual mammogram

showed problems (9 years after my father, 7 years after my older

sister) that history involving my father and his side of the family

is being taken seriously. As well, *his* diagnosis only came about

because my *mother* pushed his doc to take a biopsy, after multiple

visits for the problem with his breast. The doc only did it to

appease her, not because he thought the possibility was there. This

illustrates one reason why *men* with BC have poorer prognoses than

we do - theirs is usually caught later (My father's tumor was the

size of a walnut by the time they got around to doing the

mastectomy, and one of the [female] techs doing his 6-month follow-

up mammograms told him he didn't need to have them.)

I've got 2 sisters following me, the elder of which doesn't have

insurance.

As for me, this dreadful cold I have will probably finally be gone

about the time the genetics test results come back.

I will have to say, however, that the counsellor said it still might

not be the BRCA1/2 mutations. It could be some other mutation they

haven't identified yet, or something our family has experienced in

common. And I do have to say that finally it was *the MD's* idea to

do the testing this time around. Especially when she heard it was my

*father* who had the BC.

(Both father and sister are doing well, by the way.)

Ann

---------------------------------

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Guest guest]

nne,

I will. Thank you. And I will def. keep you and your family in mine. God is

taking care of us all. Everything will be great! God Bless you nne. You

sound like such a wonderful person.

~a

& nne Svihlik moochie1@...> wrote:

a,

I would definitely get a second opinion for peace of mind. I will keep you in my

prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Re: Re: Hi I am new

That is so terrible. I can't imagine how frusterating that is. I'm so sorry that

I have no words that can help. You know, when my mother was first diagnosed with

a brain tumor she was 13. She went to at least 50 different doctors to find out

what was wrong with her and why she was having tremors - they all told her

mother she was faking it. Finally my great uncle told her mother, my grandmother

I should say, what doctor to go to because he knew she had some kind of tumor.

Sure enough she did. She went for such a long time without being treated. Since

this happened... I have an extremely hard time trusting doctors. I'd like to

think they all know what they are doing but everyone screws up. I went today to

have a breast sonogramm... the doctor told me that I have only a cluster of

benign cists. When he said that it just didn't feel right. I guess it was my

mistrust for his word... but I don't see how you can tell by a picture that

something is benign... not to mention I

wasn't too keen on a male touching my breast. I was pretty pissed that they had

a woman doing it and then brought in the male Dr. But anywho off subject... I

don't know. I spoke to my father about it and he is a bit uneasy too. He

suggested that I get a second opinion. So I am. I just feel in my heart that

something is wrong. I may be just being paranoid... but when it applies to my

health I don't care if I am overly so. I just want reassurance is all. It's

better to be cautious than to not be and regret it.

Oh and I am very happy to hear that your family is doing well. I am always glad

to hear happy stories. It makes me feel peaceful inside. You are very lucky.

Where is your mother? If you don't mind me asking. My mother passed away on my

6th birthday. She was a wonderful lady from what I can remember. Everyone tells

me that I am almost identical in personality and hobbies to her. The only

difference is that I got my fathers dark brown hair and his short body. LOl...

sadly not my mothers tall skinny figure. No i'm kidding... I am very happy with

me... How about you. How are you holding up?

~a

annk_71679 ann.kalinowski@...> wrote:

>

> I've found that many doctors don't take your risk of gene-related

> breast cancer seriously until you have a first degree relative w/

> breast cancer (mom or sister).

My experience shows it is worse than that.

Of course farther relatives, such as my father's sister (who died in

her 30s) and his first cousin (diagnosed in her 30s, died of colon

cancer in her 50s) are pretty much ignored. And I noticed they have

been *definitely* ignored if they are your father's rather than your

mother's side. The forms I filled out for my mammogram only had

boxes to be checked for mother or sister. I've always added *father*

since my dad was diagnosed 9 years ago. It's as though you can only

get breasts from your mother, and your father has nothing at all to

do with your sex.

It's only *now* when *I*'ve been diagnosed after my annual mammogram

showed problems (9 years after my father, 7 years after my older

sister) that history involving my father and his side of the family

is being taken seriously. As well, *his* diagnosis only came about

because my *mother* pushed his doc to take a biopsy, after multiple

visits for the problem with his breast. The doc only did it to

appease her, not because he thought the possibility was there. This

illustrates one reason why *men* with BC have poorer prognoses than

we do - theirs is usually caught later (My father's tumor was the

size of a walnut by the time they got around to doing the

mastectomy, and one of the [female] techs doing his 6-month follow-

up mammograms told him he didn't need to have them.)

I've got 2 sisters following me, the elder of which doesn't have

insurance.

As for me, this dreadful cold I have will probably finally be gone

about the time the genetics test results come back.

I will have to say, however, that the counsellor said it still might

not be the BRCA1/2 mutations. It could be some other mutation they

haven't identified yet, or something our family has experienced in

common. And I do have to say that finally it was *the MD's* idea to

do the testing this time around. Especially when she heard it was my

*father* who had the BC.

(Both father and sister are doing well, by the way.)

Ann

---------------------------------

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Guest guest]

>

> That is so terrible. I can't imagine how frusterating that is. I'm

so sorry that I have no words that can help. You know, when my mother

was first diagnosed with a brain tumor she was 13. She went to at

least 50 different doctors to find out what was wrong with her and

why she was having tremors - they all told her mother she was faking

it.

I wrote a few days about running from those who are *certain* of

anything. I should have made sure to mention doctors are among them.

Saying it is all the patient's head is one way to dismiss (and diss)

the patient. I am sorry that your mother went through that,

especially so young.

.. I'd like to think they all know what they are doing but everyone

screws up. I went today to have a breast sonogramm... the doctor told

me that I have only a cluster of benign cists. When he said that it

just didn't feel right. I guess it was my mistrust for his word...

but I don't see how you can tell by a picture that something is

benign...

I don't either. All the re-assurances I heard regarding biopsies were

along the lines of: " Most are benign, but we need to check to make

sure. "

I spoke to my father about it and he is a bit uneasy too. He

suggested that I get a second opinion. So I am. I just feel in my

heart that something is wrong. I may be just being paranoid... but

when it applies to my health I don't care if I am overly so. I just

want reassurance is all. It's better to be cautious than to not be

and regret it.

I absolutely agree with you that you should get a second opinion if

you feel uneasy. I will cut a very long story short and say my father

just went through 3 doctors before he finally found one that actually

did the laser surgery for the recurrence of the tumor on his larynx

(unrelated to the BC, but obviously related to my father's 20 years

of smoking in his younger days.) The doctor should be treating you as

a partner in your health, not as an adversary or - worse - an infant.

>

> Where is your mother? If you don't mind me asking. My mother passed

away on my 6th birthday. She was a wonderful lady from what I can

remember. Everyone tells me that I am almost identical in personality

and hobbies to her.

I am glad you have wonderful memories of your mother. They must be

very precious to you.

My mother is still alive at 81, but her health is frail. She has

severe diabetes, and last March had such a horrible bout with

cellulitis in her legs that it wasn't until Christmas that she could

walk well enough to do grocery shopping again, even with a walker.

When I visited last March to help drive my father to radiation, I

thought my mother wouldn't last out the year, she was so bad.

I haven't yet told my parents of my diagnosis, mainly because they

are 2000 miles away and dealing with enough stresses with their own

health. However my youngest sister has told me that mom is getting

stronger - strong enough to fight with yet another sister (her

favorite, no less), and that mom would be angry that I am depriving

her of the chance to pray for me. Because she *can* do that much.

But I'm still waiting. I have another 10 days or so until the

genetics results come back and I know how much cutting will need to

be done. And my dad should be able to talk again, too, without

injuring his voice.

Good luck with your fight with the doctors. If it was me, I wouldn't

rest until every single one of those 'benign' cysts were biopsied.

Stand up for yourself, girl!

Ann