The science of cancer - not really that scientific

If you're like me and like to know what you're dealing with, then brace yourself for your three month post-cancer review. Apart from a dreadful misunderstanding where the oncologist thought I said I had put on three to four stone and told me to go to WeightWatchers (I actually said three quarters of a stone), there was very little to report in the session. What I was hoping for was a list of things to do to minimise recurrence, confirmation of whether the treatment had worked and a review of my prognosis. What you actually get told is basically just get on with your life, eat healthily, exercise, minimise your vices and then hope for the best. As cancer is made up of tiny little particles, there's no scan or test to see if it's gone. Instead you just need to attend regular mammograms and ensure that you are vigilant about any bodily changes. So, there's no spreadsheet, report or certificate. Whilst on the one hand that's a little nerve-wracking, on the other you really just have to forget about it and resume life as usual. I'm certainly doing that, and so is Debbie. Cancer...oh that? It was just a blip...

Amanda

I also had my three month review a fortnight ago (Nov 25th) and pretty much had the same experience as Amanda. I had a thorough examination (whereby I held my breath until the consultant said that all was ok), he then asked me a couple of questions to which I responded with questions of my own but I didn't quite get the answers I was after.
Consultant: 'Do you still have hot sweats?'
Me: 'Not as bad, they seem to have calmed down'
Consultant: 'Are you taking Evening Primrose Oil?'
Me: 'No, I read it contains traces of oestrogen and because my cancer was oestrogen+, I don't want to put more into my body'
Consultant: 'hhmmph'
Me: 'When I have my mammogram, will I only have the one breast zapped?' (I had a mastectomy and reconstruction = no breast tissue)
Consultant: 'You'll have both done'
Me: ' But one is an implant and I have no breast tissue?'
Consultant: 'hhmmph'
Me: 'I have sore knees, could it be from the Tamoxifen?' (Painful joints are listed as a side effect)
Consultant: 'If they bother you then see your GP'
Thank you very much and see you in six months!!

Debbie

The plan is...there is no plan