Hi there
I was treated nearly 13 yrs ago at the age of 48 for lobular carcinoma, with lumpectomy, RT and tamoxifen. I had quite extensive lobular carcinoma in situ but the medical decision then was that mastectomy wasn’t necessary. Unfortunately I now have a local recurrence with normal lymph nodes on imaging and no distant spread on scans, waiting now on more information after very recent mastectomy and lymph node sampling.
I am a medical oncologist myself, working in a different area of cancer, and for me the issue about being both a cancer doctor and a cancer patient was a real struggle first time around. But with support I was able to get back to my clinical work and manage that well. Now I find myself faced with the same set of issues, but a slightly different vantage point.
I just wondered if there is anyone out there in a similar situation - medical, dealing with cancer patients in their everyday work and facing cancer themselves, either first time or subsequently? Or if you are aware of any forums that exist for medical/health care professionals with cancer?
I know everyone struggles with a cancer diagnosis and don’t mean to minimise our common struggles in any sense, but there are some quite specific issues too that I have never really had the chance to discuss with other medics/health care professionals.
CJ77