To Know: Social Realities of Loss and Suffering Following Mastectomy

I came across this information that I thought was very interesting.

"A woman who has had a breast removed will concern herself, usually in isolation, with her secret unpredictable interior. This fear will be her very own preoccupation, not only because in our society death and disease are deemed threatening and ugly – but also because the uncertainty of the health-status of a woman following mastectomy is socially (as well as medically) veiled by discourse which assumes that she is ‘well’

Looking forward to reading more I clicked on the link Social Realities of Loss and Suffering Following Mastectomy -- Crouch and McKenzie 4 (2): 196  and found out that
I'd need a membership in any one of dozens of organizations in order to have access to the article.

Granted, the same information is probably included in other sources, but it's frustrating not to be able to get to it after being presented with a teaser which contains what I thought was relevant information.

And $15 for 24 hours of access seems a little unreasonable.

Perhaps the question is who knows someone who knows someone who I can get access through. And is this time to call on my social networks, to see how they work when needed. When one gets cancer shouldn't you also get a free pass into all the cancer support information that exists on the planet?

Maybe the Amercan Society of Clinical Oncology is the group to see about that.  If they're on the list they're a candidate to share the wealth.

Comments

[Mike Gunderloy]

You could try emailing the lead author. This appears to be her contact info: http://ssis.arts.unsw.edu.au/staff/staff.php?first=Miroslava&last=Crouch

[Susan Reynolds]

Looks like a possibility for this one Mike. Good find. I wonder why it isn't standard practice to share research access when hiring a surgeon or oncologist.

I'd never thought of it but some of these people must have encountered the issue before. I think they want us to feel "cured" and therefore not needing anything else after they remove a primary tumor - at least that's the feeling I got from the surgeons.

Haven't seen the oncologist yet so there may be hope that s/he is more realistic about patients not feeling like one is cured just to have something removed. We will see.

[whymommy]

I wish I had info to help you on this, Susan, but I don't. I do have a lot of D.C. cancer info, though, so if I can help you navigate the local stuff, please feel free to email me. I've been in treatment for inflammatory breast cancer for 6 months now, doing the chemo thing, and getting a lot out of cancer yoga and a local women's group. There's also a wonderful Wellness Community for when you're feeling social and needing some support, relaxation, or exercise through chemo and whatever treatments you require. Each of us has a slightly different regimen, but we can all support each other.

Prayers and best wishes for a speedy mastectomy recovery. Thanks for blogging about the realities. It will help women who come after you ... I know, cause I'm one of them! I go to surgery next month, and I appreciate everything you have to say on this.

[whymommy]

I wish I had info to help you on this, Susan, but I don't. I do have a lot of D.C. cancer info, though, so if I can help you navigate the local stuff, please feel free to email me. I've been in treatment for inflammatory breast cancer for 6 months now, doing the chemo thing, and getting a lot out of cancer yoga and a local women's group. There's also a wonderful Wellness Community for when you're feeling social and needing some support, relaxation, or exercise through chemo and whatever treatments you require. Each of us has a slightly different regimen, but we can all support each other.

Prayers and best wishes for a speedy mastectomy recovery. Thanks for blogging about the realities. It will help women who come after you ... I know, cause I'm one of them! I go to surgery next month, and I appreciate everything you have to say on this.