The C Word Part 3: The Surgery

I was exhausted by the time we got home, in pain, tired and still in shock over the procedure. I took the next day off work and waited for the nurse to call. I felt like I was hit by a truck, as I settled into the coziness of my bed, my head reeling, I drifted into a restless sleep. The next thing I knew my phone woke me up. On the other end was the nurse, my important call. She didn't have good news and left me with more worries than I wanted. She told me that things didn't look good, but I would hopefully have my pathology report soon. One thing she said stuck in my mind, 'if this is serious then things will move very quickly'. She tried to alleviate my worried mind by telling me that I could contact her for any concerns I may have. Immediately when I hung up I called my mom. Not a good thing, as soon as I heard her voice I completely broke down. I believe it was the accumulation of the past day's events, lack of sleep and just plain feeling crappy that was too much. I could not fathom how people could do this, how do you get the notion of Cancer, how?

As the week went on, I still hadn't heard from the doctor. I went to work, a place where I could be busy and leave my worries at home, well try at least. It wasn't until that Thursday that I received my call. The nurse told me that it was benign, but I would need surgery. Hey, not a problem, get it out was my motto! My surgery was scheduled for November 10th, in Edmonton. I would first have to go to the Cross Cancer Institute and get a wire inserted to guide the surgeon during the surgery. I didn't care it meant that I would have something bad out of me and that was fine. I would have to wait for another pathology report after surgery, right now I didn't care.

So the surgery date had arrived, we left our hotel at 7 am to arrive at the Cross Cancer Institute for my guide wire. Well again here I was surrounded by elderly people mostly women, looking just as worried as me as they waited for their name to be called. I was finally called, nurses lead me to another part of the hospital and had me sit and wait again. There is no dignity in a hospital gown, they may come in many nice colors but really, well I'm sure you understand. I am called again this time into a dark room with a bed and ultrasound machine. Again a doctor comes in as I'm being prepped for the wire. She was asking me a bunch of questions, then talks me through the procedure. Well, let me tell you this part no one could prepare you for. Let's just say a needle, wire, some freezing, and pain were all involved.
I was allowed to leave and head for the hospital for my surgery. Have you every tried to get dressed with a wire sticking out of your nipple? Well let me tell you it wasn't easy, and didn't think about it, but couldn't wear my bra. So here I am walking through the hospital to the lobby to meet my husband and son, with my bra tucked into my shirt!

Surgery time was next, I hate surgeries, I've had a few in my life and I really hate the part where they put you to sleep. I always worry that I won't wake up. I did wake up, when I did, they sent me back to our hotel room. Not ideal for sure, but they wanted me to stay in the city just in case anything difficulties arose. All I remember is hitting the bed, I didn't wake up until that night. We left the next day to return home. I spent the next month recovering, taking 2 weeks off of work. Not as much pain as you would expect. Definitely the easiest surgery I've had, I did have some complications after surgery due to me being diabetic.

My last pathology report was good, no signs of Breast Cancer! I am left with scars from my surgery, and my breast will never look the same, really it just fits in with the rest of my body, they are my battle scars. My breast scar will always remind me of how close I came to an extremely difficult time in my life. This experience has changed me, it has made me take a long, hard look at my health. I am trying best to become healthy. I have found a workout I enjoy and I have found friends who I can share this with.
If anything this experience has made me appreciate life a little more, understand only a fraction of what people who face cancer, go through. What I would like for people who read this to take away with them, especially women, is that you are important, your life is important, take care of you.

The Four Stages of Breast Cancer