Iceni was angry about the recurrence and felt that if she'd had her breast removed during her initial treatment, recurrence might have been avoided.
Transcript
Yes, I thought they should have taken my breast the first time, that’s what I thought. I thought “Bloody hell!” That’s what I thought, if they’d only… because I was prepared for them to take my breast. I thought I would lose my breast, I was all prepared. The second time I wasn’t prepared, I was more upset. I thought “Oh it’s come back.” I thought they’d just take another lump out but they said we’re going to take the whole thing and under my arm and everything else. So yes, I was mad about that.
I was pissed off to be honest, that if they’d only bloody well done that first. And it was shocking that I did get cancer again and then to think I had to lose it again, I thought “Gees!” So yes, I was more upset the second time.
More content
- Endocrine (hormone) therapy -IceniIceni's new doctor advised her to stop taking the pills considering the time she had taken them and the side-effects she was experiencing.
- Messages to others – IceniYou can't do all the things you did before, even when you look well. Iceni advises others not to be afraid to help.
- Relating to health care professionals – IceniIceni prefers to take someone else to appointments.
- Sexuality, femininity and intimacy – IceniIn one extreme case, Iceni sustained serious and lasting damage to her pelvic region from radiation. This has made it impossible for her to have intercourse.
- Recurrent and metastatic (advanced) breast cancer – IceniIceni was angry about the recurrence and felt that if she'd had her breast removed during her initial treatment, recurrence might have been avoided.
- Troubling long-term effects of treatment – IceniIceni explained how although she had resumed many of her former activities, her level of interest and enjoyment had diminished.
- Troubling long-term effects of treatment – IceniIceni explains how her body reacted to 6 years of hormone therapy.
- How it affects family and friends – IceniIceni felt people were scared and stopped seeing her. Her own son was not able to visit her.