October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Actual Dance tells a story of MY journey in response to Susan’s diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer in 2000.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I post a daily blog with a reflection about breast cancer. The reflections stem from something in the play.
Day 2: “Oh, and one more thing Sam, the doctor wants me to see a surgeon to check out something she felt in my right breast. Now Sam, she doesn’t think it is anything to worry about. It just felt funny to her.” The Actual Dance
Dumb luck? No. Awareness. Susan’s breast cancer was discovered because her internist during a routine check-up “felt something funny” in her right breast and arranged for a biopsy. Susan had a mammogram just two months earlier and the internist new that. It would have been easy just to write off the “funny feeling” to a bad memory. Or just to be in a rush and wait until the next check-up. The internist though was “aware” – totally aware of Susan’s record and history, aware of what the tissue should feel like and aware enough to know the possibility. Safe not sorry, so to speak. So Awareness is NOT only for the patient. Is your Doctor that Aware?
Stats of the Day: In 2015 missed diagnosis of breast cancer continues to be a significant issue for women and the source of legal claims against doctors according to a report in AHC Media
Task of the Day: Make a note for your next doctor appointment. Check with your doctor to see how “Aware” he are she is of what is in your breast. This is for men too. Here is a nice article about the importance of the medical professional to also do a check.
Resource of the Day: The book How Doctors Think is a great tool for helping everyone know who to talk to your doctor. One of the most important questions, I learned from this book is simply. “What else could it be?”
The Actual Dance: Performances. Donate.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I post a daily blog with a reflection about breast cancer. The reflections stem from something in the play.
Day 2: “Oh, and one more thing Sam, the doctor wants me to see a surgeon to check out something she felt in my right breast. Now Sam, she doesn’t think it is anything to worry about. It just felt funny to her.” The Actual Dance
Dumb luck? No. Awareness. Susan’s breast cancer was discovered because her internist during a routine check-up “felt something funny” in her right breast and arranged for a biopsy. Susan had a mammogram just two months earlier and the internist new that. It would have been easy just to write off the “funny feeling” to a bad memory. Or just to be in a rush and wait until the next check-up. The internist though was “aware” – totally aware of Susan’s record and history, aware of what the tissue should feel like and aware enough to know the possibility. Safe not sorry, so to speak. So Awareness is NOT only for the patient. Is your Doctor that Aware?
Stats of the Day: In 2015 missed diagnosis of breast cancer continues to be a significant issue for women and the source of legal claims against doctors according to a report in AHC Media
Task of the Day: Make a note for your next doctor appointment. Check with your doctor to see how “Aware” he are she is of what is in your breast. This is for men too. Here is a nice article about the importance of the medical professional to also do a check.
Resource of the Day: The book How Doctors Think is a great tool for helping everyone know who to talk to your doctor. One of the most important questions, I learned from this book is simply. “What else could it be?”
The Actual Dance: Performances. Donate.
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