As soon as Corinne returned home to New Mexico from Spain and Florida, she began having trouble breathing. She was out of breath when she walked up the stairs or began brushing a dog’s hair. While the difference between breathing at sea level and at 6,200 feet (where we live) is significant, Corinne had lived at this altitude for six years. She had never had breathing difficulties in the past when returning from Europe.

Our radiation oncologist insisted on referring Corinne to a lung specialist for exhaustive tests. He told us that chemotherapy sometimes causes damage to the lungs, which prevents them from properly taking in oxygen. We were bewildered because we had never before heard of this side effect.

We were frustrated that Corinne might have been exposed to a problem caused
by chemotherapy: a problem we hadn’t considered before accepting the treatment. I had been in this situation before. As a result of Linda's breast surgery, she contracted lymphedema: a condition in which the arm swells to nearly double its size and must be bandaged every day… forever. A major disability.

The fact is, though, all cancer treatments today are so powerful – and given in such a life-or-death situation – that it’s probably impossible for us to factor all potential side effects into a decision to accept treatments.