When a conversation about breast cancer is overheard, should a survivor step in and offer advice, or just walk away?
BY Bonnie Annis
PUBLISHED January 25, 2019
Bonnie Annis is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes. She is an avid photographer, freelance writer/blogger, wife, mother and grandmother.
Cancer seems to be a topic of conversation found in many social settings these days. Often, as a person who's had a personal experience with cancer, my ears seemed to be tuned in to those types of conversations. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in the habit of eavesdropping, but when I hear a conversation that could greatly affect a person's health, my ears prick up.
Take for instance, a conversation I overheard just the other day. As I was leaving a public restroom, two women, obviously friends, were in the midst of a deep conversation. Not wanting to interrupt, I quietly walked to the sink to wash my hands. As I washed them, I heard one of the women had recently discovered a lump in her breast. She'd gone to the doctor out of concern it might be breast cancer. The doctor, she explained, wanted to do further testing after seeing the results of her mammogram. The woman went on that she was not going to keep the appointment for a diagnostic ultrasound and MRI. I watched in the mirror as her friend's jaw dropped. The friend was aghast, as was I, and asked the reason for not keeping the appointment. The woman shared her lack of health insurance and her inability to pay for such expensive tests. She told her friend she'd just keep an eye on it and if things changed, she'd go from there.
As I was about to toss my paper towel into the trash, I cleared my throat and offered a greeting. The ladies looked in my direction as I mustered the courage to speak.
Take for instance, a conversation I overheard just the other day. As I was leaving a public restroom, two women, obviously friends, were in the midst of a deep conversation. Not wanting to interrupt, I quietly walked to the sink to wash my hands. As I washed them, I heard one of the women had recently discovered a lump in her breast. She'd gone to the doctor out of concern it might be breast cancer. The doctor, she explained, wanted to do further testing after seeing the results of her mammogram. The woman went on that she was not going to keep the appointment for a diagnostic ultrasound and MRI. I watched in the mirror as her friend's jaw dropped. The friend was aghast, as was I, and asked the reason for not keeping the appointment. The woman shared her lack of health insurance and her inability to pay for such expensive tests. She told her friend she'd just keep an eye on it and if things changed, she'd go from there.
As I was about to toss my paper towel into the trash, I cleared my throat and offered a greeting. The ladies looked in my direction as I mustered the courage to speak.
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