Hi Kimogi57,

I am so sorry you are going through this. Have your doctors suggested genetic testing for BRCA 1/2 and the CHECK2 mutation? Was your mother diagnosed with BC? Assuming she was and with your recent history of diagnosis, I would think testing could easily be justified. If you are found to have any of the known genetic defects, you would have solid information.

In 2014/15, little was known about the CHECK2 mutation. The only oncologist who treated the mutation seriously was Dr. Hansen from Swedish. I had forgotten about it completely, because so many doctors including my former local oncologist (NOT Dr. Hansen) dismissed it. "Not enough evidence..." "Too little is known..." etc. Then I ran across an article by the Mayo Clinic purely by accident while trying to find articles about women diagnosed with BC in both breasts. I tried to include a link, but the site won't allow.

A brilliant neurologist in Wenatchee, Washington and the Mayo Clinic saved my husband's life last year after local doc's couldn't figure out what was wrong with him (Autoimmune Encephalitis CASPR2).

Anyone diagnosed with cancer is traumatized. Women with Breast Cancer are expected to be perky, cheerful, happy patients, who "fight" for their lives (lol's).

Yet, if a man were diagnosed with penile or prostate cancer as an example, they would not be expected to put on the cheerful, perky show. But, non-profits have made a ton of money. You can buy anything and everything in pink to show your support: Guns, garbage cans (yes! I just saw one-not kidding), t-shirts, tennis shoes/sneakers, etc. Pink Washing...

I tried to be a perky breast cancer patient in 2014, for about 3 weeks. What a mind blowing experience of societal manipulation that was.

To this day, anyone without a close family member or friend who has had breast cancer, believes that a biopsy is done by a tiny little needle put into the breast. The powers that be have done a great job, deceptively dressing up BC.

Komen has really distorted the facts. Worse yet, most women believe that if they are diagnosed in their lifetime, they can "fight" to live. Well, a good attitude is helpful, but the reality is, if the cancer has spread from its origin and it's aggressive/fast growing, they are in real trouble. Cute pink ribbons and t-shirts are not going to help them. One might say, "Komen has funded a lot of research." Well, Reuters (news) did an investigation on Kamen years ago and found 14-17% of the funds donated to them, were spent on research. That's not dedication if you ask me.

I'm glad the cancer was found at an early stage. I'm curious if the tumor was sent to a lab for testing (Oncotype?). Please insist on genetic testing and frequent MRI's. If you have children, they can be tested and carefully monitored during their lifetime.

I am strongly considering double mastectomy and don't know if anything could change my mind.