I've had 3 cancers: Thyroid cancer, Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer

Hope definitely is it, when I first was diagnosed with the thyroid cancer I met this elderly lady at the hospital who told me “ stay positive 🤗👍, stay strong 💪 and always know the lord 🙏 is beside you “ I have lived by that and feel it’s mostly what keeps the monster away!!

@remi- That's excellent advice. Some of us are more science oriented. I have faith in my hospital and my team of doctors and the inner strength that I have to help me. We all have our own ways. I feel that whatever works is the key!

Stay positive and remember to live each day! Merry Christmas and God bless

So true, Merry Christmas and God Bless to you also

@monroeed Hello. You are in a tough situation but you can be a great supporter and advocate for your boyfriend. Let him guide you in what he wants to talk about and what he may/or may not want people to know. He’s feeling well now, so just encourage the wellness and do what you both like to do. Be a team on this journey!
Also, talk to your boyfriend and ask him if he will add a note in his records saying that doctors, etc, can talk with you. HIPPA laws prevent medical persons from talking to anyone without permission ( except for spouses and parents of minors). When I was a nurse in the oncology unit, we had to be very careful who we were speaking to.
I hope we can help you on MayoClinicConnect. Becky

This is interesting about having three cancers and other people having the same. I have had bilateral breast cancer… 11 years apart...I had DCIS the first time and IDC the second time. Both are ductal cancer. Is it common to get ductal cancer in both breasts? Is it common to get lobular cancer in both breasts? Which of these particular things occur most often? I have friends that I’ve had ductal cancer and then years later had it again in the other breast. Is this common? I can’t seem to find any statistics on it on the computer. I was just at a surgeons who said that lobular cancer is more prevalent and is more dangerous. I wish everyone was on the same page. Maybe the difference is that she is a surgeon and not an oncologist? I just think these people should not be spouting off information that might not necessarily be accurate.

@sandyjr- Good morning and Merry Christmas. I agree that the medical field is far from perfect and that it is very confusing when one of your team says something that doesn't make sense to you. Cancer is so complex and what might be true for one individual might not be true with the same cancer in someone else. Both my radiologist, surgeon and oncologist have always consulted with one another for the best care that they can give me. But one of them might have a differing opinion on a matter not connected to my care. If you do not have faith in yours then you might want to look for another. Have you considered asking your surgeon or another on your team for a more thorough explanation or give you resources to look into?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/invasive-lobular-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20373973

Your physicians need to communicate among themselves to provide a coherent and consistent message to you. My boyfriend, with the potential three cancers (kidney, pancreas and lung) has MDs who are collaborating and reviewing my boyfriend’s medical status as a team, which includes the surgeon, radiologist, oncologist as well as the urologist. You need a team that can provide you with a clear and consistent message. Hearing

that you have cancer is stressful. However, the information needs to be clearly given to you to reduce the stressors related to any ambiguous information provided to you.

Dear Remi,
Thank you for your kind and gracious reply; it is so appreciated. Wishing you and your family the best for the Holidays !
Monroe