Before You Donate
Think very seriously before donating to any breastcancer organization, or fundraising program until you read their Annual Report to see who their top contributors are, and if they have a product that appears frequently in the message the organization sends to the public. That would be unethical and its illegal. The same applies to a request that the public buys products, but does not receive a "donor receipt" for tax-deductible purpose. Read any and all food labels that breastcancer "non-profits" are promoting to raise money. Some organizations tell the public to help them raise money by asking you to visit their websites, but that only gives them "hits" to increase their sponsors.
Another tip, "signing" an online Petition is not acceptable, so don't fall for such antics. An ethical non-profit, or professional will not request your visit to their website, nor use "cookies" placed on your computer when you visit their site.
Purchase the Breastcancer Postage Stamp, the Post Office will always give you your charitable deduction receipt. Its a valid form of fund raising.
Introduction
The first time I heard chemotherapy and radiation applied to me, I felt like an empty bucket being tossed about in a wind storm. No control! The thought of getting 'sick,' throwing up, and all the other things I had seen and heard worsened my feelings of acceptance. There is no doubt, I did not want this disease, I was afraid of cancer, and afraid of the treatments. During the 1960s, I remember believing that if I cancer ever showed up in my body, I would head for Mexico, and use their alternative treatments. Not now.
My oncologist made all the difference! The fourth time I saw him (preceding the initial referral visit, and hospital visits) was after my metastasis was known. He kindly, and lovingly, but decisively told me that he recommended "very aggressive chemotherapy," due to the fact that my type of metastasis was newly discovered, due to new pathology techniques. But first he was going to send me to M.D. Anderson in Houston for their opinion, and keep searching himself. I was numb during all of this; however, because I was the first at least in this region to be found with micrometastasis to the lymph, when I was supposed to 'just have DCIS,' my diagnosis caused quite a stir, and pathologists were all involved. I did not want to have radiation. I knew that.
Women are greatly under-estimated. I have not been able to find much at all to prepare me for chemotherapy. It is 'skirted' in the books published. Such lack of realistic information, seems to say we can't handle the truth. That is why I think so few oncologist include psychiatric/psychological referrals in their patient care. One must wonder, how many oncologists have been told they are pregnant when they didn't expect it, or coped with vaginal hemorrhage, or monthly discomforts? Women are always 'medicated,' to cover up the symptoms, instead of treating the problem - or just being told the truth. (I was never told by a physician to 'just take that day or two off, rest, cuddle up with a heating pad, or take long baths, and relax," during menstrual discomfort - I take that back, my ob-gyn in Tulsa, was a D.O., and he did. Now, we call it "PMS!" A disorder! )