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Cancer. Really?


SassyBetsy

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I sat on the table with a pair of leggings on and a thin robe undone clutched around me like a shield warding off the words no woman or man wants to hear.

And No person with CPS can tolerate.

 

The radiologist wants me to schedule a biopsy ASAP for 2 suspicious spots in my L breast.

 

I said BUT I am going to have an electrode implanted.

 

Then the following words floated in the air hovering over me making sense no xsense then just being:

 

"Oh you people who don't want to live another day in pain are hard to convince early detection saves lives."

 

Wait what?So  I almost cancelled this appointment for mammogram redo plus ultrasound because imagine they removed the wires connected to a battery to a computer program HELPING me be comfortable for the first time in nearly 5 years. Who else knows what pain for 5 years feels like or lets word it this way who else did not want to live another day because of pain? We are a real group of human beings.

 

We who do not want to face another day....

How about this:

"We who face each day in pain.Despite pain."

 

And hear this from the mountain top!:

 

I have had a mammogram EVERY year since turning 40. Including going to a cancer treatment center at medical center at university hospital at the best machines. Every year even since my stroke.

 

I have vestibular problems. I find standing and balancing difficult during the test. I ask them to turn off the 2 tv's with imax relaxing movies that make me wanna puke and fall over. I find that squeeze extra horrible on my numbish yet not painless right stroke side. I do it for early detection. I watched family members care too late.

 

By the way. I also took my blood pressure medication yet here is stroke at my side every day with pain every day.

 

So last year I found a necklace getting a mammo. This year I found suspicios probably not cysts in 2 places.

 

I want to cut off my breast. It feels contaminated now. Even before the verdict.

 

But the conversation was that pain was not an important issue. She said it with a smirk. Ok please let us be honest here. How many stroke survivors have not been able to live with the pain? Suicide is not something people actually talk about. So please excuse me if I feel strong and confident that I have continued to live the days given days required in the pain required. That is not scoffable. I did not allow her to insult me belittle my pain experience.

 

I said I wanted 2nd opinion. She showed it to department head.

Fine. 

Also they insert a tag on the thing that proves to be beneign so in future no one will biopsy it.great.efficient.

 

Yep unfair. All my head screams. This pain is punishment enough.

 

Will I be joining another support group?Hey is there one for those extra achievers with multiple problems.

 

I realize I must take care of both.

 

Can I fight cancer while in pain?

Can I get the biopsy?? 

 

Alright. Indulge my mental wanderings.

The wires were removed. The burn returned. All that pain. I long for meds before due time. No one sees how it hurts unless I call out but then they scold me.be patient. Wait your turn. Be stronger I tell myself.

 

To go in public I must shower.

I did 3 weeks trial.3 weeks sponge baths.3 weeks washing hair in the sink.

So I showered.sitting. But every pain felt. Oh I went in right after pill so covered. I was wheeled over to the showers.

Walking hurts

Going to my bathroom hurts

Walking the halls hurts

Sitting hurts

Pain surrounds me.

When it hurts I hold my breath and then my chest hurts and they tell me Breathe!

 

Getting out hurts.

So I do not schedule.

I wait for electrode surgery day.

 

My day is this...moving and standing very little. Coloring and music to help me endure it. I not visiting. I hurt.I not having Xmas but I celebrate by prayer and communion. Alive. Blessed to live. But there is a life with comfort.somewhere.

I cuddle with my sherpa xmas blanket I snuggled with in the car going to the old xmas lights that I took the kids to.

9 Comments


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Oh Pam, just what you don't need but you will get through this hurdle too So hard to find a partial solution and then to have to go back to waiting and with a new worry on top of it.  HUGS:hug:

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Pam I am so sorry, this is just one more burden to bear. I would ask what the prognosis is, what rate of spread etc then make the decision. It is the way I work through things. But I do not have your pain so there is no comparison. You need compassion as well as information, I hope you get that.

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Thank you.

 

I just venting here.

 

I want to pretend that day never happened.

 

We all know early detection speech.

 

In my prayers I ask for a small favor that would help me cope and that would be for my daughter to come home.

 

Then I realize I always have my son to live for. 

Oh he is grown but I lost mine so  I know.

 

In this moment I know surviving is for the strong.

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I'm so sorry.  I wish I could just be there and color with you.  No talking, just be there with you but I know there is no substitute for your own children being by your side. You have been through so much already and this is just one more thing. I wish they could keep the pain management going for you while they do all they need to do to make sure that you don't need further treatment, it seems only humane! And it boils my blood that someone (especially in health care who has obviously seen this reaction before!) would be so insensitive!

Hang in there lady!  Ya know what?  I'm going to color a picture in the adult coloring book tonight...and the whole hour or so it takes to do it...I'm gonna send healing and comforting thoughts your way.... call it a prayer to the universe for you if you want.

Keep us posted on your journey.

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I am fine. It is not cancer and that tissue is flagged so next year no biopsy on  it again.

 

I feel I have been given a gift.

 

The other mass is gone so prob a mistaken pix.

 

I will always go@!!!

 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR MAMMOGRAM!!

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🙂 Pam so glad your biopsy came out good. Funny how a little scare will welcome next year's dreaded testing. I think I have felt the same way for probably about 15 years (that was my breast cancer scare...prompted my first mammogram...scariest few days of my life). Ladies...check your boobies every month. It's important! 😉😘

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