The odds

 

Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths among women. One out of every nine women will get breast cancer at some time in her life.

If breast cancer is detected early enough the 5-year survival rate is as high as 98%-100%. (stage one)

When Mum was diagnosed in Oct, 2006, she had stage one, very treatable breast cancer. Mum had a mastectomy in Dec, 2006, and started on chemo.   In May of 2007 she was finished with her treatment, and her cancer was considered in remission. 

In June, Mum had surgery to remove her port.  She was also considering reconstructive surgery on her breast.

Summer passed by with no health concerns for our Mum.  She went to work, traveled, and went about her daily business. Life was good.

In Sept of 2007, Mum went to Scotland to visit our family.  While there she had a cough that wouldn't go away. She didn't let that stop her from having a good time, and enjoying the Scottish night life.

Once she returned from her trip, she went to the doctor, and was told she had pneumonia .  For weeks the doctors pumped our mum full of antibiotics  trying to rid of her the pneumonia that we assume she had caught on the flight.

One night in Oct, 2007 Mum couldn't breath, Jeff (my step dad), took her to the hospital.  She was treated for pneumonia, as well as a collapsed lung.

Test after test, we were told she had pneumonia, a collapsed lung, and a Pleural effusion.  So much time was wasted, before we found out the real issue.  The cancer had returned.  It had metastasized to our Mothers lungs causing her lungs to collapse, fluid to build up, and in the end, taking her life.

How can something with a 98%-100% cure rate, take someone's live in a matter of weeks.  Once it was rediscovered , she had no chance no chance at all of beating the cancer. Too much time had been wasted.

Why was she given the all clear in May? and then again in August?

Why did they say it was pneumonia?

Why didnt they do more tests?

Why didnt they treat her sooner?

Why did she have to die?