The doctor walks in and sits down across from you and in serious tones offers that your test results are back and you indeed have breast cancer. You aren't sure if you heard correctly, but you notice that you are a little shaky, and wish you had come in with a friend, spouse, or loved one! Breast cancer is the most common women's cancer diagnosed today, with lung cancer catching up quickly.  The word "cancer" is loaded with many negative and frightening associations. As you and your doctor talk you feel like you are hearing every detail and really understanding exactly what he or she is saying. Then, you get home and want to tell you husband or life partner. You have family members and/or friends that you need to speak to, but as you open your mouth you can barely remember what was said to you. Often, your mind may ricochet back to the unspeakable dread of whether or not you are dying? Will you survive? These questions are normal and profoundly rattling. As the news settles in, and you get informed, and you talk to your doctors, and look at your treatment options and planning, you get into action and the physical and emotional healing may begin.

For some people the process through cancer is a relatively easy one, and for others it is unspeakably frightening and for others it is something in between. In addition to a diagnosis of breast cancer, we know that in some families there is a particularly high hereditary component that influences, one's prognosis for future breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer. A genetic component that we know influences this outcome is referred to as BRCA. BRCA is a genetic mutation which is located at a particular site on a genetic strand. When this mutation is present men and women are at a higher risk of having breast, ovarian, and tesiticuar cancers, and at younger ages than the general population. Testing for this mutation is available at certain cancer treatment centers and at clinically state-of-the-art ob/gyn offices.

Gathering information and making decisions with a team you trust and feel cared by is crucial as you go through this difficult, life-changing time. Having perspective and taking care of your psycho-emotional and spiritual well-being are equally important. In our society people do not hesitate to seek financial consultans and physical trainers. I am available to help you process and move through the work ahead of you, and join your support team. I am available to help you process your thoughts, feelings, and choices that lay before you. BRCA, lumpectomy, mastectomy, her2neu positive/negative, arumadex, chemotherapy, radiation, staging, sentinel nodes.

Some families are dealing with the knowledge that there is a genetic component to cancer in their families, and yet another host of issues arises. What do you do with that knowledge. If you are BRCA positive, but have never had cancer what do you do; or if you have children do you or when do you tell them; or if you are a young man or woman who hasn't had children what questions are you grappling with?

In psychanalytic psychotherapy, you will lead the way. The way in wich you will listen to me, is through my listening to you. In our work together, your voice and potential will emmerge and you will embrace your highest potential as it embraces you.  Our goal will be for you to no longer need me, because you are capable of knowing yourself in such a way that your self-analysis leaves you whole, complete, happy, and engaged fully in your life. Cancer is a rough deal, but I have written elsewhere, about the perverse benefits of having cancer. I invite you to read it and check out the web-site for those touched by cancer.

If you or someone you know and love is dealing with issues around cancer, perhaps I can be of some help.