Make the Appointment: A Patient's Story
I’m in another preventative screening this morning. And feeling blessed by this opportunity.
Moons ago when my husband Lee’s back began to hurt, we didn’t realize cancer was invading his spinal cord. By the time we found it we had zipped past the phase of early detection and ended up 91% filled with cancer.
It was like we got an A+ in cancer.
How is it that the world’s kindest man got a cancer with not one chance of a preventative measure?
L-OOO-keeee-meee-ahhhhh didn’t give us the option of a skin check, a mammogram, or a colonoscopy.
It just popped up and said, ‘HEY GUYS, I like you!’
Preventative screenings remind me of the humans I know that have carried the burdens of these cancers.
I see their faces. I know their mothers. I know their children. I know their smiles.
I know the sweet embrace of their hugs.
Sometimes they show me the drain tubes. Or the puss. Or the scars left behind.
Sometimes they move forward in silence and translucent transition.
I am not one of those women that fear the scan.
I am a women that fears not getting the chance to fight.
I want the chance to live.
Is it one in 8 or one in 10 women that get breast cancer?
I forget.
I remember what being a statistic feels like though, and what it looks like to tell your child the most horrific news.
I’ll take off the clothes. I’ll put on the gown. I’ll have that weird feeling of just letting it ALL HANG out as the lady pushes my skin in the machine till the machine holds me.
I’ll hug the machine and thankfully recite: I’m blessed I’m blessed.
If you’re a woman who is afraid of making the appointment, I will help.
If you’re a woman who is afraid of going to the appointment, I will go with you.
If you’re the woman at home, tending the wounds: thank you. I love you. Your story matters and I am here today because of you.
I love you. ❤️
