8th September 2021
It has been a full 12 months since my call back appointment. An appointment that everyone says is usually nothing. An appointment where I was squished into the mammogram machine for much longer, I was prodded and poked, an ultrasound and a biopsy. I was told they could feel a lump and I left with an appointment to see the consultant.
They won’t tell you, as they need to be certain. I’m pretty sure they knew. Deep inside I knew. Let’s face it they had booked me for a face to face consultation during COVID.
We went away, had the most beautiful away from everything holiday in Scotland but the cloud hung heavy. We returned to see the consultant and the conveyor belt began.
Pre-op, another biopsy, 3 weeks waiting results, another biopsy another 3 week wait. A telephone consultation, Flu Jab.
A weekend with friends and a hot tub.
2 weeks isolation, radioactive tracer injection, a Magseed insertion, MRSA treatment, PCR test, surgery, recovery
Results, samples to America,
Christmas Party, 1st night out with friends in weeks
COVID, cancelled Christmas,
New Year break at friends in Cornwall,
More results, radiotherapy, 6 weeks of fatigue, 10 years of tablets, DEXA Scan
My birthday, long weekend with my bestie on the Yorkshire Coast. Starting to feel like me again.
Osteoporosis diagnosis. bisphosphonates, calcium and Vitamin D.
Hayfever, possibly a result of the loss of oestrogen.
Week in lakes with Big Sis. Week in a windmill in Norfolk. Re-commenced wild swimming. Found a local group of swimmers.
It was almost 6 months to the day, 6 months of ups and downs, a continual stream of appointments. One step at a time. It was a blur, 6 months of my life that I will never get back – I’m struggling to remember the emotions. I cant remember crying, I’m sure I must have done. It doesn’t matter now. I have two very discrete scars, and 3 tiny tattoos. They serve to remind me how lucky I’ve been that screening exists.
I have my life back now and swimming has been a big part of that. Wild swimming reminds me of how lucky I am to be here, how beautiful our natural environment is. It grounds me and energizes me like nothing else ever has.
Carolyn Trafford is a Creative Life Coach, supporting others in reaching their own goals in a creative way sine 2010. Author of “Don’t Just Dream It – Achieve It!” (A great way to kickstart those goals). This interactive book is available from her online shop: https://carolyntraffordart.ecwid.com/Dont-Just-Dream-It-Achieve-It-Book-p196854491) . She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on the 20th September 2021 following her first routine screening with the NHS at 51.
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