Sue has beaten cancer. She had a partial mastectomy a couple of years ago and had all the horrid, invasive surgery that goes with that treatment. Her family history of cancer puts her at risk, so the hospital has been carrying out genetic testing. The findings have concluded that she has an 80% chase of contracting cancer in her other breast and voluntary removal has been recommended.
Can you imagine what this must feel like? I can’t. My heart goes out to the girl.
And yet she is so brave and carries on…she carries on with other challenges in her life too – her husband was made redundant and was out of work for nearly twelve months. He has only just recently returned to work; with all this turmoil in her life Sue has had to be the main breadwinner and mother of two young children.
She came to me for her session and I only hope that I managed to cheer her and support her in her decision, the decision that …on Monday…yes on the Bank Holiday when we are all out enjoying ourselves with friends and family, she will be attending Christie’s Cancer Hospital in Manchester. Sue is electing to have a full mastectomy.
Her comments to me were so brave, “This way Eilidh, I am in control…not the cancer. I am going to have reconstruction work too…” and with a laugh she added, “I’ll probably have a better shape than before!” What an amazing attitude!
There were several times during the session that we both nearly burst in to tears. In fact, there are tears in my eyes now as I type…She asked me not to be too kind to her though, as she was trying so hard to cope…
I am going out for a walk to clear my head…I don’t know why these bad things happen to lovely ladies like Sue. She is a credit to herself, her family and her friends. She is a hero in my eyes and in inspiration. It certainly is a privilege to know that she comes to me for help and support.
I leave you with this poem …
Oh, the comfort-the inexpressible comfort
Of feeling safe with a person
Having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words-
But pouring them all out -
Just as they are -
Chaff and grain together -
Certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them
Keep what is worth keeping
And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away
Think of Sue on Monday…
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1 comment:
Ladies, I am sure that we all know of someone who has had breast cancer, I do and my eyes fill with tears as I read this article.
I think how lucky I am and I breathed a sigh of relief the last time I had breast screening and the results were ‘nothing to worry about’. I have another screening due soon and I realise just how attached I have become to my breasts and how important it is to get them checked out.
Sue I wish you luck. My thoughts are with you on Monday. When you get your new ones
Flaunt ‘em
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