Debbra was keenly aware of this loss and wished that there had been more opportunity to discuss the issue of intimacy after surgery.
Transcript
I think that more needs to be done in terms of working with the couple for the intimacy factor and stuff like that. I know I never had any discussions about it with my GP (General Practitioner) or anything like that. I think it’s something… where do you go and talk about this stuff? There’s really not a lot that’s said. You’re on drugs that dry all your estrogen which means that you know you have a whole bunch of other things that are happening. Your arousal, all that other stuff doesn’t happen and you still want to be… you might want to be but you also don’t feel attractive. You’ve lost your hair, I didn’t really feel very attractive being bald and there’s no hair anywhere. That part, I think is hard for them, because not only are they losing parts of their wife they’re losing the intimacy factor. And maybe other couples are different and they manage around it differently but I know that was a struggle.
More content
- Alternative and complementary therapies – DebbraCounselling for Debbra is a safe place to speak about some of her worries. She also hopes it will be a 'security blanket' for her son.
- Chemotherapy -DebbraDebbra found another oncologist with the help of a social worker; her experience with chemotherapy improved after that.
- Reconstruction surgery – DebbraThe surgeon would come in, inject Debbra and leave; it was impossible to speak to him.
- Reconstruction surgery – DebbraDebbra describes the variety of prosthetic products.
- Finding and sharing information – DebbraDebbra described some good national resources.
- Relating to health care professionals – DebbraDebbra would show staff the picture of her son to humanize the relationship.
- Relating to health care professionals – DebbraDebbra feels it is possible to disagree with health professionals and communicate that in a polite manner.
- Perspectives on treatment pathways – DebbraDebbra describes moments where she had to fight for care based on her own decisions.
- Testing and diagnosis – DebbraDebbra felt overwhelmed when she was told indirectly that it could be breast cancer.
- First symptoms – DebbraMucinous cancer, such as the kind Debbra was diagnosed with, is rare and difficult to diagnose due to a lack of lump formation.