Pillee said "
I had nightmares for the only time of my life over a couple of patients who died despite everyone's best efforts. The ones we saved didn't make up for the losses. I couldn't accept the losses;" I am realizing that with the average lifespan 80 years and a primary medicine career 40 years, roughly half my patients will die while under my care. You never get far from death, and it never quits hurting to see those you care for pass. At least most are older and have lived full lives, unlike this young lady - those are the ones I still lose sleep over, years later. You wonder so many 'what-ifs'....
Your relatives should get real on-board self-checking,
regardless of 'BRCA' status; I've had geneticists reassure a patient who had 3 of 4 sisters, her mother, 2 of 3 aunts, a grandmother, and a great aunt that "breast cancer doesn't run in your family"...
Most women forget to do self-exam, and often do it wrong; most doctors for whatever reason don't even teach it right.
![Neutral :|](./images/smilies/icon_neutral.gif)
I'd post instructions but they are so darned long and I use visuals; other docs need to just do their job....!
Prayers up for you all as you lay her to rest.