3D REFLECTIONS OF LIFE

Ayesha (far right), my past student and now wonderful radiologist, posing with me after the mammogram and ultrasound moments.   On 18 May, it was a year after I had a lumpectomy.  As you will recall, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the option my surgeon, Dr Edge, recommended was a lumpectomy. Fortunately, there was no evidence of spreading after the binodal biopsy and thus I had to only go for radiation after the operation. The year had flown past. Just the other day, my family and I were dealing with all the visits to the hospital for the lumpectomy, the 30 daily sessions of radiation and then the recovery period. In fact, our lives went back to normal pretty soon after this trauma and life has been good. Sometimes when certain well-meaning folk enquire about my health whenever they see me, my mischievous streak hovers below the surface. When they ask , "And how is your health  now?" their voices drop, their mouths contort ...

This morning I went to Rondebosch Medical hospital for my first routine check after the radiotherapy treatment I had . In my head, I would just breeze into the oncology unit, chat to my doctor, Doctor Hart and then fly out there again. Well, that was the theory. The reality is that somehow, life likes to take its own turns. When I arrived at the hospital, Bilqis, Dr Hart's secretary, gave me a warm welcome. We were happy to see each other after all these months and the two of us competed to share as much as we could before my consultation with Doctor Hart.  Bilqis complimented me on my new hairstyle - a tightly curled arrangement that ended just past my neckline.  At this point, all the other ladies joined in on the conversation. Yes, they too, liked the new hairstyle. Did I cut my hair since they last saw me, they asked. "No, I said," This is a 'minced' hairstyle. I went to bed with fairly loose locks and then somewhere between the warm nights and hot flush...

Hooray. I have finally completed the 30-session course of radiation. I now no longer have trek to the GVI Oncology unit in Rondebosch  every single week day. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had a five-day booster, where the radiation targets the area where the cancer tumour was. The effects of the radiotherapy on the breast are clearly visible. The area looks burnt, like a grenadilla as I mentioned to the doctor. I also experience a kind of burning, throbbing sensation sporadically, which is rather uncomfortable and painful. I was told that the radiation is still active for about ten days after the last treatment session. It was like being placed in a microwave oven, as my Kiwi friend, Yolanda, described it.  So true, I thought. Radio waves are no child's play... Celebrating the last session of radiation treatment. Keyring that my darling sister, Levona, blessed me with. My last session of radiation treatment was celebrated in style. Early the Wednesday ...

 When I started the radiotherapy treatment, I really thought the 30 sessions were going to be one massive schlepp. Just the idea that I had to trek to the GVI Oncology unit at Rondebosch on a daily basis for more than a month and a half was a mental irritation. But time has really flown. I will just be attending for one more week and then this part of my journey will be done! I will be receiving a "booster" during the last week. During the booster session, the radiation targets only the area where the breast cancer tumour was. Besides being permanently coated with corn flour, I am sporting new ink markings to demarcate the zone. The area has become darker, but there are no other visible signs of the trauma this area was subjected to. I have also experienced being more tired, more listless and sporadic burning sensations in the breast area. But, so far, so good, as they say. Doctor Ryno Holshauser with Bilqees, Jessica and Carla. I quite enjoy these visits to the onco...

Today I started my 30 session-course of radiotherapy treatment at Rondebosch Memorial hospital, GVI Oncology department . The radiotherapy usually goes hand in hand with a l umpectomy , the surgical procedure I had to remove the cancer tumour in my breast. The type of breast cancer determines the duration of the radiotherapy treatment. The good news is that the countdown has officially begun: one down, 29 sessions to go. First I had to meet with the doctor who wanted to clear up any questions I had and then of course, I had to sign on the dotted line. The doctor has a long German surname that I will get to know over the next few weeks. Dr Hart is on sabbatical and my new German-flavored doctor will be supervising my treatment protocol. Side effects of radiotherapy We discussed the side effects again. I could very well have been in a life sciences/biology class.  I sat there there, listening and nodding. My family and I had already agreed that we would go ahead with ...

The Good news Yesterday was the day I had an appointment with Doctor Jenny Edge , my surgeon who performed the lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy on me on 18 May.  I was going to have the bandages removed, get the results of the biopsy and hear what my case management for breast cancer will be.  Walking into Dr Jenny's rooms is like entering a bubble of warmth and love. Gadija and Nadia greeted Basil and me enthusiastically and enquired about my health. I mentioned the sudden throbbing I was experiencing in my breast since the morning. "Don't worry," the young ladies said. Sr Lieske will sort it all out."  Sister Lieske arrived and soon, Basil and I were ushered into Dr Jenny Edge's rooms.  "How're you feeling?" asked Dr Edge, smiling and looking relaxed with her signature green-framed spectacles. Again, I shared my story about my hypersensitive breast today. Dr Edge looked at me and said: "Well, let...