Dido developed heart failure years after aggressive chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
Transcript
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years ago and that went well, according to how well breast cancer can possibly go, I have 2 mastectomies and I did 4 rounds of chemotherapy. The cancer that I had was quite small but pretty significant and I took the decision under the advisement of my oncologist. We had a good long conversation about how best to treat the cancer. At the time I was only 43 and in order to deal with the possibility of an occurrence further down the line we decided fairly aggressive with the cancer, and I did 4 rounds of chemotherapy. After the four rounds of chemotherapy, I also did a full year of Herceptin treatment as well. And I was followed by cardio-oncology afterwards because of the possibility of complications, cardiac complications given the Herceptin treatment and the chemotherapy treatment. And within about 6 years of being followed by cardiac oncology post breast cancer, it was determined that my heart function had decreased.
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- Stigma & Gender Bias – DidoDoctors assumed that Dido's heart condition was related to her lifestyle.
- Stigma & Gender Bias – DidoDido felt judged when she didn't look like a typical heart patient.
- Finding Information & Cardiac Rehab – DidoDido is still waiting for cardiac rehab.
- Access – DidoDido still had problems getting a cardiologist even after relocating due to doctor shortages and waitlists.
- Diagnosis – DidoDido was in shock and felt as if her life was being taken away.
- Heart Transplant – DidoDido expresses frustration about trying to find information about listing criteria.
- Medications – DidoDido developed heart failure years after aggressive chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
- COVID Challenges – DidoDido felt dismissed during the pandemic and not able to access cardiac rehab.