Most of the women I work with are research oriented and go immediately to the literature. Although they are extremely bright and intellectual, and under any other circumstances could understand the real meaning of variability in statistics, given the emotional state they are in, they just can't. They see everything as grim and black. Others, depending on their emotional makeup, may see information like this as a challenge, and become determined to live long enough for the new treatments they are convinced will come. Still others pursue with renewed vigor a process of fashioning new kinds of hope and meaning from the time remaining to them.
Some physicians are very clear about risks with their patients.
Kim Banks was only 34 years of age at her first recurrence. A freelance writer, Kim lives with her husband, Richard, in Colorado. My husband and I had just celebrated our one year anniversary when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and we hoped to start a family. When I had made it to the two year mark with no signs of recurrence, I had started to allow myself to think about having a child again. My first doctor was very adamant about my waiting on children.