Breast Cancer Diaries: Heroes and Bandages

I was so looking forward to getting my bandage off around my chest. It was tight and itchy and I wanted to move on with the process. 

“Betty.” I heard my name called from behind. It was Randy, Dr. Lee’s office assistant. For some reason I was lucky enough to have him direct me to the room where a nurse removed my bandages. Randy was the first (but not only) person I had met at Desert Regional Hospital who showed me empathy, compassion, and a calm spirit when I was initially given the cancer diagnosis. After women learn they have breast cancer, they see Randy to make an appointment with the surgeon. What a difficult job he has, but he carries it off seemingly without effort. Randy is my hero. 

There is another hero at the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center. When a little “something” was found on the mammogram, they were able to schedule a biopsy that same day which was great news. The bad news was that I had come alone and had to wait alone for a few hours. One of the nurses, Josephina was getting off early that day. When she learned that I was waiting alone, she sat with me the whole time until I was called back for the biopsy. Josephina is also my hero.

Back to the unwrapping of my breasts. I was also anxious to be free of the bandages because it was Friday and I hadn’t been able to shower since Tuesday morning the day of the surgery. Yuck. “Spit baths,” were of limited effectiveness. 

Ahh. Freedom at last. Dr. Lee had done a neat job of stitching the tissue together from the inside. The stitches will dissolve and will not need to be removed.  There was purple along the stitch line. The nurse told me that was bruising. All in all, it was impressive. I had been concerned that the breast size would change and be non symmetrical, but there was not too much difference. 

All these years I felt large breast were a burden, now I sort of appreciate them! When I lean forward, the removed portion is noticeable, but otherwise, not so much.  There was no drainage which meant the healing was going well. Monday I will meet with Dr. Lee for a follow-up appointment. Then radiation shall begin in one to two weeks. I am feeling scared about that and how much it will hurt my skin.