Category: Bilateral Breast Cancer
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Finding Balance
Standing superhero pose atop a living sand dune one year after treatment. The form’s not perfect, but I like the metaphor. For inspiration from Melody Beattie…
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A Survivor Mentality
Life hands each of us the occasional nasty surprise. How do you rise to the challenge of a threatening storm, intruder, or health crisis?
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Name Your Fears, Then Mock Them
“Give funny names to the things that scare you.” Tom Selleck remembers his father’s advice as he’s treading water, all alone in the vast Pacific ocean, with circling sharks. A cancer diagnosis feels scary like that. So, in 2017, I named my tiny tumors Donald D. Lump, and Don Jr.,…
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Screening Tests for Early Diagnosis of Lymphedema
In 2022, researchers showed that surveillance with a non-invasive Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) device could detect early development of breast-cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). This is great news, as early detection and treatment have kept my lymphedema Stage One in both arms.
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The Plight of the Double Bumble Boobee and the Green Light at the End of the Tunnel
The Bilateral Breast Cancer Dilemma – Lymph node removal from both arms can lead to lymphatic dysfunction and lymphedema. Invasive medical procedures like blood draws, vaccinations, and IV’s need to be handled carefully, and most medical providers aren’t aware of the dangers.
Sharon S. Shepard 