Peggy, from Mission4Monday, is asking us to take on a mission each week. Last week I took on Autism because October is Autism Month in Canada. Well, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this week my mission is to tell you about my Aunt May.
In 2005, Aunt May was diagnosed with breast cancer. She followed her doctor's orders, had a partial masectomy and went back for all of her regular checkups. She was told she was cancer free and there was no need to worry. She was just to come back for her regular checkups.
In January 2007, Aunt May began having excruitiating pain in her left leg. She asked the doctor about it several times and he told her she had sciatica. She was suffering terribly and there seemed to be no end in sight. Now Aunt May doesn't complain unless something is extremely wrong. She has been frail all of her life and at the age of 75, she has learned to live with whatever life hands out. She was born with a rare blood condition and has been in and out of hospital her entire life.
In April 2007, Aunt May was walking into the kitchen when the phone rang. She turned to go back to answer it and her leg broke as she turned. No warning except for the pain. When she got to the hospital, they admitted her, took x-rays and told her she had bone cancer and it had completly eaten away her left hip.
For the next 5 months, Aunt May was in hospital. She underwent radiation and surgery to rebuild her left hip. The surgeon had to actually build it from scratch with rods and wire. No chemo was given at this time because they said with her rare blood condition, it would kill her.
In April 2008, they found that the cancer had moved into Aunt May's spine and brain. They told her they were going to give her chemo. She was frightened and didn't really want to take the chance that it might kill her. Without the chemo the prognosis was 2 weeks to live. With it...possibly 2 months. Now, 6 months later, Aunt May is still with us, but is suffering with pain constantly. She doesn't complain much and is still getting around. She tires easily, which is to be expected.
My Mission 4 Monday is to let women know that doctors aren't always right. After all, Aunt May's family doctor diagnosed bone cancer as sciatica until it was very advanced.
Women have been brought up to never question doctors and this is wrong. We are all responsible for our own bodies. If your doctor is not doing his/her best for you, get a second opinion. It could mean the difference between discomfort and debilitating pain or even life and death. So take up the challenge and spread the word. You may save a life.
I wish all of my friends and readers a wonderful week filled with all the joys of autumn. ~Blessings, Mary~
