7. My Turn
I tried to relax, but it’s hard in a bustling waiting room. Then, after 90 minutes waiting, my name was called. A woman, mid 40’s smiled and said ‘this way.’ We entered a small office with an examination table, a desk and two chairs. The lady with the kind face appeared. She was Sandra, the breast care nurse. It’s such a reassuring title, much like her face and smile. She sat on the examination table.
The Doctor introduced herself. I had heard of her and she was who our GP said she would refer me to if I was a private patient.
Her surname sounds familiar and I mentioned her father’s name.
‘Yes, he was my father, did you know him?’ she replied.
I knew him years ago from our church. He started a well-known business in the area. He played squash weekly with our Pastor. He also died of a heart attack – way too young.
It was a connection, and a comforting one.
We discussed the results and report from Breast Screen; discussed surgery; our children and the probable treatment – based on the post surgery pathology results. The choice was ultimately mine. Mastectomy, or breast conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node surgery. Previously all lymph nodes were removed but now one or two are removed and tested for cancer. This is a much better option for the patient and makes recovery easier as well. Some women choose to have a mastectomy as it means they don’t need further treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. As mine was found early and the prospects are good, it seemed a satisfactory option to have the breast conserving surgery. Statistics show that a full mastectomy makes no difference to the reoccurrence of cancer. And, I guess I’m a tiny bit vain still. I know my body doesn’t define who I am, but it’s still my body. My friend in Ireland was having a mastectomy and reconstruction, then chemo due to her type of cancer and younger age. In my case, it didn’t seem that it was warranted to have such a radical procedure. We would know more about that following surgery and when I got the full pathology results.
We had as long as we needed with the Doctor and the nurse. It was a quiet oasis after the hubbub of the waiting room and I felt like I was all that mattered, not just another name on a file.
We could ask as many questions as we liked. I signed the papers after all the warnings (including ‘death may occur’) and then we spent more time with Sandra, being given more information, booklets, pamphlets and even a free bra, thanks to Berlei. Very practical, hooks up the front and back and in skin tone. It’s a great idea that all women having breast surgery get one donated by Berlei who also donate $5 from each bra sold towards breast cancer research. There are a lot of support systems and resources for women with breast cancer. Sandra arranged for me to receive the ‘My Journey’ kit from the Breast Cancer Network.
I was unable to be given a date for surgery as the registrar was away as it was the day before Easter.
As we left, I felt a lot more positive than when I had first arrived and noted that this was just another step in the journey to healing.