Patricia - Interview 7
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Patricia went for her first routine mammogram when she was fifty and the results were normal. She had her second one at the age of 53 and was recalled. She felt ‘devastated’ because she’d had other health problems previously and did not want another one to deal with. After tests, Patricia was told that she had DCIS as well as a lump, which turned out to be grade 3 invasive breast cancer.
Patricia only found out about DCIS after her own diagnosis and felt that, had she had DCIS alone, treatment decision making would have been more difficult. Shortly after her mastectomy, she started taking tamoxifen. Her treatment plan included having tamoxifen for two years and exemestane (Aromasin) for three years. However, she had hot flushes on tamoxifen and, more importantly for her, felt very emotional. She took it for a year but, because of how it made her feel emotionally, after seeing her oncologist, she stopped taking it. She said that, once the tamoxifen was out of her system and after blood tests, she might be prescribed Arimidex for three years and, at the time of interview, was unsure which hormone therapy it would be.
Trish was interviewed for the Healthtalkonline website in 2008.
Patricia was glad to have breast reconstruction because she disliked wearing a prosthesis and seeing herself in the mirror with only one breast.
Patricia was glad to have breast reconstruction because she disliked wearing a prosthesis and seeing herself in the mirror with only one breast.
Patricia agreed with the doctor's advice but, later, felt upset about having a mastectomy and really didn't want one.
Patricia agreed with the doctor's advice but, later, felt upset about having a mastectomy and really didn't want one.
Patricia was in tears just before surgery because she didn't want a mastectomy. The operation went well, though, and she was playing sports again shortly afterwards.
Patricia was in tears just before surgery because she didn't want a mastectomy. The operation went well, though, and she was playing sports again shortly afterwards.
Patricia was recalled after her second routine mammogram. She was extremely anxious and convinced something would be wrong.
Patricia was recalled after her second routine mammogram. She was extremely anxious and convinced something would be wrong.
Patricia feels she would have recovered quicker if she'd had an immediate breast reconstruction but is looking forward to a mastopexy and a new nipple that will be tattooed on.
Patricia feels she would have recovered quicker if she'd had an immediate breast reconstruction but is looking forward to a mastopexy and a new nipple that will be tattooed on.
Patricia's husband seemed more attentive and in tune with her.
Patricia's husband seemed more attentive and in tune with her.
Patricia didn't like being on the ward after surgery. She didn't have much pain but her arm felt sore and numb.
Patricia didn't like being on the ward after surgery. She didn't have much pain but her arm felt sore and numb.
Patricia described what happened when she had a sentinel node biopsy. Although she found it slightly painful, she was glad only a few lymph nodes were removed and to have no problems with her arm later.
Patricia described what happened when she had a sentinel node biopsy. Although she found it slightly painful, she was glad only a few lymph nodes were removed and to have no problems with her arm later.
Patricia had invasive breast cancer and DCIS. She feels that making treatment decisions for DCIS are harder because it might not develop. She would have liked more information on what DCIS is.
Patricia had invasive breast cancer and DCIS. She feels that making treatment decisions for DCIS are harder because it might not develop. She would have liked more information on what DCIS is.