You raised an issue with which I can identify, sara.anne. When I was in the hospital with very heavy hematuria just before being diagnosed, a physician "doing
rounds" for my doctor saw that I'd said "yes" to a nurse who asked if I had
anxiety. (I think I said that anxiety seemed reasonable in my situation.)
He asked "Would you say, then, that anxiety is your major complaint?" I was
furious and said something like "No, doctor, it is the hemmorhaging that brought me here." I'd be interested in a discussion with fellow warriors about incidents like
these. I think similar tendencies by doctors to see women as stressed, depressed,
anxious, and --yes -- hysterical lead to delayed diagnoses and can complicate
future treatment. Still, are there research results that show treating us for anxiety or depression may help -- even if there are reasons for our emotions?
I don't know if this should be a new topic under "women and cancer" or not?
I am sorry for your justified distress and wish you strength -- Susan