From FatCatAnna

Back in my early 30's I experienced some problems with my left breast - and of course - the first reaction was "breast cancer".   I was immediately seen by a breast surgeon to determine why my breast tissue was sinking in - along with the lumps (like many women - I have very dense breast tissue).  Needle biopsies were useless due to the hardness of the lump - so over the next 5 years - I underwent many slice ‘n dice procedures as more growths appeared - drainage tubing - core biopsies, yadda, yadda, yadda.   I was a medical oddity - making medical journalist documents to the point where I was willing to go to a Miami medical conference and stand naked up on the stage for someone to say - " Ahh haa - we know what it is !!! "). 

In the end, because I am a gal who likes to be informed about my health - I hit the needle in the haystack - and came across a few articles on a condition known as diabetic mastopathy.  Yes, I the patient figured it out, but the sad thing is, in every article I came across - they said to " leave the lump alone it'll resolve itself after menopause and do not operate as this can lead to more growths! ".  When I told my surgeon what I had discovered - he was very baffled by it all - and I became abit of a celebrity in the medical community due to the way my healthy breast tissue had been eaten away to basically the point of nothing.  I wore silicone prosthesis for many years - which became abit of a party hit - when I'd take it out of my bra - and slam it on someone's forehead - sort of like the neural parasite from the Star Trek episode of Operation Annihilate.

So, advance many years later - about 4 years ago - what has become of the breast at that time is now a  lump - like a piece of wood  - hard - uncomfortable - sometimes painful when my cat would walk across my chest at night time to cuddle.  The recourse at this point in time - due to now a new group of surgeons wanting to slice ‘n dice me - is because of not knowing if this could become cancer over time - and they had nothing to compare me to - was to go ahead with a subcutaneous mastectomy (removal of the breast tissue inside - leave skin intact on outside).  Three days recovery in a hospital (have I ever told you I hate hospitals?) - I was CURED - thump with the bible on my forehead!!!

I'm still getting used to having a "Dolly Parton" again - have abit of scarring problems due to all the surgeries (had to have implant removed and replaced due to wrong size few years ago) - but I'm doing alright.  Because many mastectomy survivors have to keep there arms immobile for awhile - I did develop frozen shoulder -  not annoying enough to cause movement problem - but needs abit of work.  Of course, we diabetics are known for this condition - what isn't with long term diabetes ?  So, I've got a physiotherapist coming by my house for the next little while - showing me the correct techniques to massage the breast due to the scarring and tightening of muscles (very strange - when you have no feelings) - as well as sorting out the frozen shoulder.  The funny thing about the physiotherpapist who works with many breast cancer survivors - has never heard of this condition of the breast - and she knew very little about diabetes - so I educated her about diabetes while she did her magic work on me.  So, one more person out there that now knows that diabetes is a serious disease despite what they see of us on the outside (I told her that diabetics blood sugar when high is like battery acid on an engine - eats away at the good stuff - abit scary to hear - but it's true when you think about it).

So, look out world - I'll soon be back to slinging over the shoulder boulders at you - as I take on the world with my Dolly Partons!!!  Just remember - diabetic or not - always do your monthly self breast examinations - and get a mammogram done at least every 2 years - or as recommended by your medical team that helps with your mission of good health!

From Elena_Ivanova

A friend of mine from London sent me the link to the breast cancer research and added: "I am screwed".

Jen has always been a pretty big woman. Her mother's weight was about 260 pounds when she died of a heart attack at age 50. I remember Jen (at that time age 25) mentioning to me a couple of months after her mother's death that she started watching her diet and exercising regularly: "I need to be healthy. I am naturally predisposed to being overweight. I do not want to have any overweight problems at older age". I thought she was doing great when in a couple of months Jen sent me a picture of her in a swimming suit and her new boyfriend Mark on one of the beaches during their trip in Turkey. She became much slimer and had lost 40 pounds by then (she still weighted about 190 pounds with her height of 5-06). Seemed like Jen must have been happy but our next conversation proved the opposite: "I am unhappy. I am sick of watching what I eat and when I eat. I am stressed out all the time. I simply want to relax sometimes and have a slice of pizza in front of a TV at 9 pm while watching my favorite show. But my doctor says there is long way to go"...

...during our next conversation in a couple of months I found out that Jen had given up dieting and started "enjoying food world fully". She gained her 40 pounds back but Mark was still crazily in love with her. She was happy to be with her lovely man and enjoy her favorite foods...she called me a week later..."I have diabetes. Why me?" Mark was supporting Jen but refused giving up his food habits. As a result, she could not start eating healthier either. It has been a constant fight for Jen between food habits and diabetes during last 2 months. She gained another 20 pounds and is not happy about herself anymore. Mark left her a couple of days ago unable to deal with her fast change in the moods and constant reminding of diabetes in the life. And now Jen read this article:

OVERWEIGHT women putting themselves at risk of diabetes are also increasing their risk of advanced breast cancer, Melbourne research has found.

She feels depressed as she understands there is a looong way to go in order for her to be healthy. You will be fine, my friend. You simply need to give up your food and see this world in a different way - HEALTHY WAY.