My Michelle Diagnosed Stage 2 Breast Cancer — Updated

Update: I spoke to my sister on her birthday and she informed me that our cousin had undergone breast surgery. She had a single-side mastectomy. But with lymph node involvement she needs chemo. Will she get chemo? I asked about reconstructive surgery and she reminded me that Michelle was on public aid and they paid for her cancer surgery. Some people have been dumped by their regular insurance for same.

But as for reconstructive surgery that’s cosmetic so she is on her own. She is doing well and recovering. I will see them at Christmas.

A family member for the first time to my knowledge has acquired breast cancer. She has been diagnosed with second stage breast cancer, which is lymph node involvement.

The docs want to do a mastectomy with chemo.

I have believed that breast cancer is a disease of lifestyle and poor habits. In this relative’s case that’s the case. She has been obese most of her life, taken lots of legal and illegal drugs and otherwise not exercised nor taken care of herself. She is African American and over 50 and never had children.

The last two items put women at risk for bc by itself. There is no history of breast cancer in our family.

I’ve had a good friend also over 50 who died of stomach cancer which was in remission but returned with a vengence. She told me before she died that she just simply ignored the symptoms like bleeding.  Candy did not want chemo and her eyelashes falling out she confided.

That may have been her only recourse. Instead of catching it early she underwent more radical surgery having most of her small intestines excised and other parts. The surgeons installed a bag to replace her lost intestines.

We knew each other through the group we joined. She was tall, thin, blond and beautiful. She too was “black.”

We kept in touch up to the day she died. Candy called me frantically asking what we as vegetarians could eat that might stay or be digested by her missing digestive tract. I was at a loss for words.  Her tall frame reduced to skeletal remains by the time it was over.

She died in June over 10 years ago. I still recall taking her soul  across the void to her next birth. We’ve had strong bonds through many past lives. I missed her for a long time, I still do.

Black women die of cancer at higher rates. I know personally of 4 black women whose lives have been shortened by cancer.

Heloise

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