May-Lie emphasized the importance of how you feel during the treatments rather than the importance of understanding the exact diagnosis.
Written testimony
Will knowing the diagnosis change something? However, I know that the oncologist told me it was a hormone dependent cancer, which means I cannot take hormones. This I know, but the stage. But at some point, because I did not have metastasis, he said: “It is good for you.” Instead of having three hormone receptors negative, I only had two. There was one positive receptor and two negative ones. But the oncologist told me without me asking him, because I wasn’t familiar with this. He said: “In your case, yes it is good…” “What about my case? It is a cancer”. Today he probably knows how I lived through this and how it did happen for me. May be today he understands that I had no reaction because I was not there, I was in my bubble. But I learned little bits here and there, although the puzzle is not complete yet.
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- Surgery -May-LieHaving to undergo a second surgery was a big shock for May-Lie.
- Perspectives on treatment pathways -May-LieA test to measure the tumour markers caused so much stress that May-Lie asked for it to stop.
- Understanding the diagnosis -May-LieMay-Lie emphasized the importance of how you feel during the treatments rather than the importance of understanding the exact diagnosis.
- Sexuality, femininity and intimacy -May-LieMay-Lie struggled with the impact of breast cancer on her relationship as did her partner.
- Physical activity and diet changes -May-LieMay-Lie found exercise to be a great way to relieve stress and tension through her treatment.
- Follow-up care and the risk of recurrence -May-LieMay-Lie wondered whether her cancer had returned when she had pain in her bones. She had a friend who had died in this way.