Cancer & Surgery
- Surviving Breast Cancer
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
By Jill Rackham
The dreaded day of which I’m sure no one wants to happen had arrived – the day of my breast surgery.
All my breast tissue was to be removed, thankfully my three tumours were caught early.
Walking through the hospital doors felt hard as I had to be on my own.
COVID rules of no visitors made the hospital feel far away from home.
On the ward, all checked in, the surgeon came to talk me through proceedings.
He drew on my body and took photos as my mind raced with so many feelings.
The surgeon’s words were factual and as kind and comforting as can be.
I knew this surgery had to happen today to get the awful cancer out of me.
A nurse came to collect me as my theatre time was here.
I tried to remain calm in an attempt to eradicate my fear.
My body did not feel like my own, I felt like it had let me down.
I was so sad that it had enabled cancer to turn my smile into a frown.
The anaesthetic room was cold with lots of equipment beeping.
My stress levels were rising as I knew it would not be long until I was sleeping...
The next thing I knew a nurse was smiling down at me with the lengthy surgery now finished!
I felt very groggy and tired but so relieved my tumours were now diminished!
For me this was such an important day.
At last my cancer had been taken away.
Many months have now passed by and this day is still firmly etched in my mind.
It was a tough day and memories of it are always easy to find.
The changes to my body and my scars have taken some getting used to.
But now my body is my own once more and I am grateful in all it enables me to do.
The scars remind me daily of what my body has been through.
More surgery ended up following, but this day is the day my mind is always drawn to.
I am so hopeful that I will remain cancer free.
It’s been a tough old journey so far for both myself and those around me.
I’m starting to dare to dream about happy times the future may bring.
My prognosis is positive and that is such a very important thing!
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