Beyond Polarity

IT’S BEEN ELEVEN MONTHS since a fateful mammogram sparked a flurry of tests (followed by waiting); diagnoses (followed by waiting); decisions (followed by more waiting); surgeries (followed by recovery, then some more waiting); radiation (followed by recovery); and finally, this week, I’ve been given my breast cancer discharge papers.

How am I celebrating? Well, for starters, I’m not waiting! 

New bras. I’m not thinking about new sports bras—I want lovely, feminine bras. Sexy bras. And to make room for these new lovelies, I’m burning the very worn, very utilitarian zip-up contraptions purchased last summer to shield my tender breasts after surgery and radiation. 

Chocolate ice cream. I can’t remember a time when this indulgence wasn’t my go-to ritual, my way to mark a hard-won victory. Two scoops of Village Ice Cream’s velvety ‘Melted Chocolate’ was the perfect follow up to my appointment with Dr. Natalie Logie, the radiological oncologist who issued my discharge.

A tooth extraction. Ha, what! One of the things that happens with a cancer diagnosis is other medical needs become second fiddle. For several months, I’ve needed an abscessed tooth removed. This week, I got ‘er done. Which has me wondering…If I put that extracted tooth under my pillow, will the tooth fairy deliver me a carbon tax rebate?

Now don’t get me wrong. The cancer care system in Alberta doesn’t fling you out of the nest without supports after treatment. A mammogram is booked for August; those results will be reviewed by Dr. May Lynn Quan, the oncological surgeon who extracted the ductal carcinoma in situ cells from my breast last summer. I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to that mammogram. But I’m not afraid.

I look forward to walking through the doors of the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary when it opens its doors —as a cancer survivor. 

This is definitely not a sisterhood I wanted to be a member of, but now I am, I feel blessed. Blessed by every one along this journey who cared, including you.

If you know anyone on this cancer journey, who might benefit from the stories shared on this blog, please, feel free to share.