I'm Frustrated...Chapter One

“So tell me, Diane, how did you first notice something in your breast?” That’s what general surgeon Dr. Susan Reid, asked me on January 31, 2002 while attending my appointment concerning a lump in my left breast.

“Well”, I paused and took a deep breath; somehow I already knew this was going to be a moot point. “In the summer I noticed a white stress mark in the iris of my eye, in the location of my breast just to the side of my nipple.” As the words were coming out of my mouth I could see the look on her face. Glancing between my files in her hands and making eye contact, she asked, “What does the iris of your eye have to do with anything?” I tried to explain to her that I was an iridologist and that iridology is an exact science. Before I could go any further, she showed her ignorance. Many people are ignorant about iridology, meaning that they lack any knowledge about the subject.

Because this doctor was unfamiliar with iridology, she reacted with disbelief. With laughter in her voice and a smirk on her face, she said “Well, that’s a new one. An exact science! I’ve never heard of it.” I wanted to scream, “Does that mean, if you’ve never heard of it, that it doesn’t exist or have credibility?” Believe me, I actually wanted to say a whole lot more, but knew it wouldn’t help the situation. So again, I tried to explain that iridology is an exact science, recognized by the Supreme Court of the United States as being such and that the United States are embracing complementary services to work along side of the medical profession. These services take nothing away but work together with traditional medicine for the benefit of the patient.

I started again. “In the summer, I noticed a white stress line starting in my left iris in the breast area. I watched for a month or two, and the mark was not going away, but in fact getting longer, wider and closer to the outside perimeter or the iris. I then contacted my family doctor to make an appointment for a full physical. By the time got in to have my physical, the stress mark had gotten thicker and become a closed lacunae.” By this time, my husband Randy, who had come along with me, cut in. I’m sure he could sense what was going on. He explained the pain I was experiencing in the breast and in my underarm area. He continued to explain that the size of the lump was getting larger and he could actually feel it now.

At this point, I need to back up and explain something. When I went to see my family doctor, Dr. Laurie Wells, I explained the same information to her. I could see the white stress line and how it progressed, until it became a closed lacunae. Dr. Wells didn’t laugh, but rather asked questions. “Could you explain iridology to me? Could you show me the legislation from the Supreme Courts? Would you be willing to come in and explain more about this science to me?” Dr. Wells then proceeded to do my physical examination. Reviewing my past history, she decided a mammogram and ultrasound would be the best way to go. I’m not sure if Dr. Wells could actually feel the lump at that point, because I have fibrous breasts anyway, but she believed me, and could tell from my records that I am not an abuser of the health care system.

I have since had several discussions with Dr. Wells. It’s refreshing to hear about the challenges the doctors are having and presenting ideas to them that are out of their
field. Iridology is not a new idea, but is new to the medical community. It was nice to actually have a conversation where we could discuss working together as an advantage and benefit to patients, the medical profession, the complementary professions and the health care system.

So back again to my breast.

Just before Christmas, I had a mammogram and ultrasound done at McMaster Medical Hospital.

The mammogram was very painful. This might be a crazy thought, but as my left breast was being flattened to a pancake, I wondered if the pressure from this machine could actually cause damage to the area in question? I think that is a fair question. I realize that hundreds of thousands of women have had a mammogram, and I would hope that if there could be damage done by having a mammogram, the medical profession wouldn’t continue to do them. Thankfully, the mammogram process doesn’t take very long, but I think there has got to be a better way.

Then I was off to the ultrasound. The ultrasound was painless, except for the cold jelly that needs to be applied so the machine can conduct what ever it is that it conducts. The technician simply moves a wand type instrument over the areas and images show up on a screen. Photos are then taken and read at a later date by a radiologist.

I could tell that something was showing up from the ultrasound, because more time was spent in some areas then in others. My perception was right. When the results came back, three cysts were detected. Two were in the right breast. They were small, one being 2mm and the other 4mm. In the left breast was one cyst. It was small, being around 3mm. Adjacent to this was a small hypo echoic nodule, approximately 7mm in diameter. It may represent a small fibro adenoma or possibly an intramamary lymphnode.

I know to a medical person, this is no big deal but to a woman between 35-50 with a lump growing in her left breast, it’s more than a big deal. It was especially a concern for me, knowing what I know, and seeing what I see in the iris of my eye. It was something I wanted looked after. I believe in being proactive instead of reactive, and that’s why I ended up booking an appointment with Dr.Susan Reid.

So I want to bring you back to the conversation in Dr. Reid’s office. Dr. Reid explained that she would have to do a physical. She and her medical student leave the room. Randy tried to speak to me about not letting her lack of information upset me. I got changed into the disposable gown and waited for Dr. Reid and her medical student to
return.

As Dr. Reid and her medical student returned, they were laughing. She covered her eyes with her hand and said, “Ok, we don’t want you to see our eyes.” In any other conversation, I could have laughed, because that reaction happens a lot. But not this time. This one went deep. I have a passion to help people. I believe our society in general can no longer look the other way when “ NEW” concepts are brought forward, and again iridology is far from new. I believe that 1 in 3 women don’t have to get breast cancer and 1 in 4 absolutely don’t have to die. I believe that being proactive is the answer and it is everybody’s responsibility to take their own health into their own hands. I believe that it is my responsibility to educate the uneducated. A doctor may have more then seven years of schooling, but he/she may not be educated in health and wellness. It simply means doctors learn what the medical schools were teaching. That doesn’t mean it is what is best; it is simply the medical way of treating symptoms. I believe you are never too old to learn, and no matter what your age, you still have lots to learn. I believe no one, and I mean no one, knows everything. We should be open and willing to learn more in order to truly help the sick. I believe we need to work together as a body of people with skills from different sectors. We should not dismiss any one of them but take from all. We should truly be a health caring system.

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