TV show "Parenthood" shows the breast cancer experience

I thought it was very realistic too.....I felt myself reliving the experience all over again.  Quite a few tears shed.   I liked how she didnt get overly emotional too.  Her first breast surgeon was a lot like my breast surgeon.   Excellent qualifications and experience (head of the NSABP actually)  but very matter-of-fact and academic with very little bedside manner.  My first appointment with him was tough, like Kristina's was. I actually got a little sick to stomach when I was watching that part because it brought back memories of that appointment.   But, I stuck with him, and it looks like Kristina may be sticking with the male surgeon too?     Anyway, Can't wait to watch the next episode!

So, who are the writers appearing on the credits? (Sometimes writers' names are not there...wonder if available from NBC's website for the show?)

Hi I don't usually post in this section but the subject grabbed my attention.



I thought the show was very good but I heard "cure" 2-3 times. That was the only part that I had a problem with.

I too found this show very close to my experience. My husband and I watched together. We cried. Based on the way the show ended the previous week, I knew this weeks episode was going to be about those first weeks that are so difficult and scary. My husband was very similar to the actor in that he kept on saying it was ok ....I was going to be ok.....I would just have surgery and all is good.... It was something to organize and schedule....stay off the internet . I still erase the history on my computer so that he cannot see that I have been on the BCO website or any google on breast cancer subject.... A year later and i learn everyday to move forward.....some days better than others....

.Then he confessed after that show .... That at work for his charitable contribution he put BCO. Wow what a difference a year makes.

@markat - To be honest, I too heard the word "cure" when I was first diagnosed by the nurse navigator at my surgeon's office.   You will be cured, she said!  

I heard cure several times and that bothered me. But the emotions were so real!



Dawn

RE: " I  don't think we need to educate Parenthood about LE..."

I'm sure you are right, kira but imagine all the peope that PARENTHOOD could educate about LE?!

I have  a friend who was dx app 5 mos before me. She is one of handful of ppl. who even know I have BC. I wrote her an email when I was noticing LE symptoms and sent her the speak up links etc and  tried to warn her to be careful and what to avoid.  I know she exercises about an hr a day which is FAB., but I wondered if she counted that as " repetetive arm movements"  ( The brochures that I NOW have  list mopping or raking)

She wrote back saying:

" Luckily, I dont have LE. I was spared of that much at least."

She does not realize she can STILL get it !  I didnt want to scare her, but I sure wish I had known more,  and it would be a great service if a show like that could help spread the word RE: symptoms and things to be careful for etc .

Everybody knows about " BC Awareness".  There is PINK everywhere this month.

How many ppl have heard of LE Awareness and walked for a 'cure' ?

Good for you, Carol!

I'd be happy to write in. Would you pls share the contact info ?
THX

Purple, I used a contact form on the Parenthood website.  Here is a link: http://www.nbc.com/contact/general/ 

Carol

When her husband realized he had to say goodbye to here at the OR doors I was sobbing.

Finding out about the one node was also all too familiar to me.

Ironically there was a testicular lymphedema sub plot on Grey's.

I do find this kind of ironic since Maura Tierney had to drop out of the show to be treated for BC.

As for the LE plot, I would love to see it selfishly, not sure it's really right for that show which is more about relationships than medical conditions, but boy I would love to see it on something!

Markat, if you think about it, it would be quite timely for LE to enter the picture a year from now. Or any time within the first three years post-surgery, when some 90% of LE cases show up.  So there's plenty of time for the writers to figure out how to do this well.  Seems TV shows love a crisis...this would sure be one of those!

Cookie, that OR-door goodbye kiss is the most emotion-provoking memory I have from the whole darn experience. Ironically, on the very day I had surgery, a friend who subscribes to some kind of poem of the day received one called The Kiss in his inbox. It was about THAT OR-door kiss.  He sent it to me the day I came home from the hospital, explaining its timing.  I think I filled a bucket with tears reading that email with its poem. I still can fill up half a bucket just thinking about it now.  I don't know how they convey the depth of these emotions on screen.  They 'get' it, but 'real' is much deeper, I'm sure.

just saw this episode tonight.  glad to be watching without my loving family. everyone's experience is different and they cannot convey all.  i am 7 years out and was just remembering how the school custodian took my kids to the school carnival so my husband could be with me.  one of the many heroes in my life i am going to thank again.  life is hard and beautiful.   i was truthful with my kids but understand that the characters are making a different choice.  so hard.

take care,

hattie

I have cried a lot watching it. All very very raw for me. Just had my exchange surgery last week. Truly, I wish they did not have this story line. I look to tv for a bit of escape. I love parenthood, but this season is taking me down....

To heck with it, I have decided they should do the LE storyline.

Here is what concerns me, from Mitt's wife, to Giuliana, anyone who had a node out and is flying all the time, do they ever wear a sleeve for precautions. I'll admit I didn't but I was not on a plane every day.

For that matter, are airline crew members who have had bc allowed to do anything. Do they have to quite if they get le?

I too watch the show.  My hubby and I use to watch the show and then for some reason we haven't watched it in a couple years.  I learned at her2support.org that they diagnosed one fo the characters with her2 positive breast cancer.  I was naturally fascinated by that because I, too, had her2 positive breast cancer and you don't hear of that one much. 

Being a 7 year survivor, who really has put this all behind me, and honestly, truly can hardly remember going through it all, was SHOCKED at how emotional I became at many parts of the show(s).  The tears were just streaming down my face and those emotions I thought were buried came bubbling up to the surface. 

I look forward to watching the rest of the episodes. I love the show....all the characters and things going on, but naturally, this one really touches my heart.

Mary Jo