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I loved my life in Egypt, but for some reason I decided to leave. Im glad I did. I had a full medical, including mamogram on my return. Results came back, I had a deep chest breast tumor. That's where I have been the last few months- operations and treatment for breast cancer.Its been tough, emotionally destroying at times. I have a fantastic husband who saw me through, and keeps my spirits up. Had I not had the feeling - I like to call it a message from Allah- to leave I never would have discovered it or maybe when it was too late for me. I think I am now on the mend - first big test due soon - but please, ladies, especially those living in Egypt where mamograms are not so common to have, never think you are too young, and always try to get checked out from time to time.
Posts: 319 | From: egypt/uk | Registered: Sep 2006
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I am very sorry to hear of you struggle with cancer. I hope you can get enough emotional, physical and spiritual support. Thank god, advances in medicine have been made remarkable. Less suffering and longer survival are more possible today. I have a few friends who survived breast cancer and return back to normal life and work.
Posts: 132 | From: Alex | Registered: Oct 2009
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Tut.. how old are you? Tell me to mind my own if you like.
I am so pleased you were lucky enough to find out you had cancer in time for it to be treated... I really do hope that all goes well in the future for you.
There is a Mammography Centre in Cairo but I think the issue is more the cost as opposed to the lack of facility.
for those interested it is in Aswan Sq in Mohandiseen. I wonder how well known this Centre is on the street.
I lost a friend to BC. Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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I'm so sorry you have been going through such a horrible time. I do hope all will be good for you in the future. It is such a horrible thing to happen. My friend's mum has just been diagnosed. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Posts: 4476 | From: Scotland | Registered: Mar 2006
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Thank you for your very kind messages of support. I think im ok, but my mind is all over the place and my medication appears to give me nasty reaction, so I may have to stop taking it and increase my risk of it coming back. Im glad to see you post that address Cheekyferret, it may save someone else! I wont say exactly how old I am but definitely a very long way off the main risk years of 50 - 70 My husband has been bril, but then he works in an operating theatre. Being Egyptian male, i didnt think he would have much knowledge of this sort of thing in his family as the women wouldnt talk about their breasts! But, not true, his sister told him all about their facilities and that she and his mother have been. My daughter is another story! She has had a very bad attitude to me since this happened and the specialist said this is quite common. Anyway, thanks again, and ladies, keep vigilant I hope
Posts: 319 | From: egypt/uk | Registered: Sep 2006
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oopps, pressed button too soon. was ending with I hope you all stay safe, happy and well.
Posts: 319 | From: egypt/uk | Registered: Sep 2006
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Alhamdalalah for his messages and for giving you a fantastic husband to walk with you through this.
-------------------- "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." (Sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton) Leap and the Net will Appear. Posts: 3891 | From: No good deed goes unpunished. | Registered: May 2007
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Tutandmoane..... I went through the same thing 13 years ago.... Partial mastectomy, chemo, and radiotherapy... with the following 5 years on drugs. I saw a breast specialist for a check this week.... and still all clear. I consider I'm blessed.... Alhamdulillah.... sounds like you are too!!
Posts: 4238 | From: USA | Registered: Jul 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Tutandmoane: I loved my life in Egypt, but for some reason I decided to leave. Im glad I did. I had a full medical, including mamogram on my return. Results came back, I had a deep chest breast tumor. That's where I have been the last few months- operations and treatment for breast cancer.Its been tough, emotionally destroying at times. I have a fantastic husband who saw me through, and keeps my spirits up. Had I not had the feeling - I like to call it a message from Allah- to leave I never would have discovered it or maybe when it was too late for me. I think I am now on the mend - first big test due soon - but please, ladies, especially those living in Egypt where mamograms are not so common to have, never think you are too young, and always try to get checked out from time to time.
well i am glad u got it in time.i cant say i know how u feel cas i have never been thru it. but my mother had or has cancer and i seen what kimo does to ya. her meds made her so sick. and with the hepititus there is so many meds she cant take to make her feel better. it will be a long hard recovery but in the end beating that damn thing is so worth the hardship yr taking and going thru. i am sorry i couldnt reply sooner but i just wasnt sure what to say. some people get so sick of saying ooo i am so sorry and etc...take care and get as much rest as u can.best wishes and huggs.. tina
Posts: 9776 | From: You like If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood. | Registered: Jul 2007
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Ah thanx for sharing your story Tina, I not been feeling like talking to anyone much for so long, but now Im begining to feel like opening up a bit - Im getting bored too! Suprising how many so called friends have "disappeared" since they knew. Reckon it brings it to front of their minds and makes them feel uncomfortable. Reading ES again will give me something to think about I dont take part much but love the stories. I sort of feel blessed twice, and cursed twice as I ve not long been cleared of cervical cancer!
My thoughts are with your mother Tina and I wish her good recovery, peace and harmony.
Mamasue, your story particulaly gives me courage and hope and Im so glad things are OK now for you, thanx for your support.
Hope you guys dont mind me ranting on but I feel like I just broken out of jail and not quite reach the perimeter fence! Maybe I will and maybe I wont, but God has been on my side so far.
Posts: 319 | From: egypt/uk | Registered: Sep 2006
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Hi Tut, I am glad you discovered it early and managed to get treatment. I hope you feel better soon Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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Of-gold, Im so sure Allah gave me the signs, I have to believe that and keep my faith strong.
He also blessed me with the most unusual, untypical of Egyptian husbands who has been by my side through many things for many years now, he is the fantastic ShirleyValentinesFantasyLives and likes to read and comment on ES sometimes too.
Posts: 319 | From: egypt/uk | Registered: Sep 2006
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thanks tut. just keep yr head up and try keeping food down.did u loose alot of weight or gain weight? my mother seems to have gained like 20 pounds.but shes still so small.and i know we can all keep u smiling here on es one way or the other...
-------------------- your ass is so tight when you fart only a dog can hear it.when you queef only a cat can hear that one. Posts: 9776 | From: You like If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood. | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Tutandmoane: please, ladies, especially those living in Egypt where mamograms are not so common to have, never think you are too young, and always try to get checked out from time to time.
I understand that having a mammogram saved your life, and that's great! It sounds like you've been going through a very hard time, and I hope you'll stay healthy.
However, there are lots of pros and cons in regards to the issue of mammography, so I disagree with saying everyone, regardless of their age, should get themselves checked out.
Personally, I never had a mammogram (am too young anyway) and after researching the issue decided that I am most likely not ever going to have one.
In fact the benefits of annual screening to women age 40 to 50, who are now being aggressively recruited, are at best controversial. In this age group, one in four cancers is missed at each mammography. Over a decade of pre-menopausal screening, as many as three in 10 women will be mistakenly diagnosed with breast cancer. Moreover, international studies have shown that routine premenopausal mammography is associated with increased breast cancer death rates at older ages. Factors involved include: the high sensitivity of the premenopausal breast to the cumulative carcinogenic effects of mammographic X-radiation; the still higher sensitivity to radiation of women who carry the A-T gene; and the danger that forceful and often painful compression of the breast during mammography may rupture small blood vessels and encourage distant spread of undetected cancers.
The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 540Posts: 2803 | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Tutandmoane: please, ladies, especially those living in Egypt where mamograms are not so common to have, never think you are too young, and always try to get checked out from time to time.
I understand that having a mammogram saved your life, and that's great! It sounds like you've been going through a very hard time, and I hope you'll stay healthy.
However, there are lots of pros and cons in regards to the issue of mammography, so I disagree with saying everyone, regardless of their age, should get themselves checked out.
Personally, I never had a mammogram (am too young anyway) and after researching the issue decided that I am most likely not ever going to have one.
In fact the benefits of annual screening to women age 40 to 50, who are now being aggressively recruited, are at best controversial. In this age group, one in four cancers is missed at each mammography. Over a decade of pre-menopausal screening, as many as three in 10 women will be mistakenly diagnosed with breast cancer. Moreover, international studies have shown that routine premenopausal mammography is associated with increased breast cancer death rates at older ages. Factors involved include: the high sensitivity of the premenopausal breast to the cumulative carcinogenic effects of mammographic X-radiation; the still higher sensitivity to radiation of women who carry the A-T gene; and the danger that forceful and often painful compression of the breast during mammography may rupture small blood vessels and encourage distant spread of undetected cancers.
The Politics Of Cancer by Samuel S Epstein MD, page 540
I have to disagree with you on this post. Consult your physician for your risk factors and need for a mammogram.
Younger women--> sonograms are usually as helpful but, a mammogram may be needed
Mammograms once a year after age 40 or 50 are very helpful depending on your risk factors, which are too individualized to issue a blanket statement on this forum for.
Self breast exams, as limited as they are, when performed one week after menses, every 3 months or so, can be a helpful indicator of the need to see a physician.
Posts: 483 | From: cairo | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by cairobug: I have to disagree with you on this post.
Actually, I am surprised there aren't more people disagreeing with me. However, I was speaking of my personal stance on the issue, not saying everyone should do the same.
quote:Originally posted by cairobug: Consult your physician for your risk factors and need for a mammogram.
Actually, I did talk to my doctor about this once. She said it was not that big of a deal and that self examination is sufficient for many women. As for a "need" ... I can only imagine one case where I would see a "need", and that would be if there was a lump or anything odd.
quote:Originally posted by cairobug: Mammograms once a year after age 40 or 50 are very helpful depending on your risk factors, which are too individualized to issue a blanket statement on this forum for.
As I said, I have researched this issue in order to make a decision for myself, and I have very few risk factors. In Germany, mammograms are not recommended before the age of 50, btw. The trend for early mammograms seems to be an American thing.
Posts: 2803 | Registered: Feb 2007
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Sorry for the confusion, but the "you" refers to anyone out there reading this post, and not "you" as in "*Dalia*." I'm sure you know your situation better than anyone else, but I wasn't sure if your post was specific to just yourself, or if it was posted as a recommendation to others.
Btw there is more than just one case, where there may be a "need," and it's not just a lump.
-------------------- Disclaimer: My posts are not meant to personally offend anyone. If you find yourself reading my posts repeatedly, you are kindly asked to seek the help of a professional Posts: 483 | From: cairo | Registered: Mar 2006
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Lol Dalia, you research everything I personally did a memmogram because I had a benign lump and had surgery to remove it when I was 19. From memory I think that they did the memomgram to try and find out where it was exactly for the surgery. But anyway it is good to know since my hubby is always pushing me to get them done and I don't want to.
Posts: 4446 | From: Egyptian in Sydney | Registered: Mar 2005
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Sorry for the confusion, but the "you" refers to anyone out there reading this post, and not "you" as in "*Dalia*." I'm sure you know your situation better than anyone else, but I wasn't sure if your post was specific to just yourself, or if it was posted as a recommendation to others.
Ah ok, I see. No, it was not a recommendation to everyone, I believe there are cases where a mammogram is called for even at a young age. I just object to recommending it for each and everyone without mentioning the disadvantages. The original poster wrote "never think you are too young, and always try to get checked out from time to time.", and that's what I disagreed with.
quote:Originally posted by * 7ayat *:
Lol Dalia, you research everything
Yessss ... and I've been like that since childhood. You can't imagine how much time I spent in libraries before the time of the internet.
Posts: 2803 | Registered: Feb 2007
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*Dalia* thanx for your interesting viewpoint and the information. As you may expect, I have had oh so much stuff to read about the whole subject, and yes I have read to what you are referring.
I usually believe in staying as far away from the doctor as I can get away with, and do not like the thought of mammograms either, so with that in mind I suppose the comment I made about never being too young, and getting checked out was rash and open to interpretation, but I never advocated everyone should get a mammogram done. Sometimes peoples experiences help someone else. I have now taken the difficult decision to stop my so called "insurance policy" medication as it has made me so ill.
My point was simply that it is not common practice in Egypt for women in the general population to be checked out by any means, and I can see the results of my failure to have done so would have been bad for me.
I did not mean to thrust a certain view on people like an evangelical maniac who has no medical training. Each to his own. Personally self breast exam would not have revealed anything wrong to warrant a mammogram, it was too deep. I would hate to think that in this day of medical wonders I was wrongly diagnosed after the mammogram, several scans and several biopsies revealed cancer cells, as did the tumor tissue. Sorry if anyone else thought my comments were ill thought out and invasive and made in ignorance, they were not intended that way. I suppose I just wanted to share my joy of feeling like I am in the land of the living again and not wishing anyone to die un necessarily, that's all.
Posts: 319 | From: egypt/uk | Registered: Sep 2006
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