‘I had looked at my reflection, it is not the real me that stares back, I look into the hollow eyed thin person.’

Over the next few weeks The Society is publishing the true story of a woman who went to hell and back because of breast cancer. This is Kaye Howarth’s story in her own words. Thank you for wanting to share with us and the world Kaye.

Biography … Bald Bird Surviving Breast Cancer

Part 6 Next Week

Results of Lymph nodes 

Dave and I get ready, be still oh beating heart -my appointment to get my results is nearer this time, Weymouth hospital. We drive and arrive twenty minutes later. There is no problem parking at this hospital. 

I know this hospital well, as I covered the outpatients for Speech Therapy, with Pippa. I lead Dave through reception and to the waiting area and sit waiting for my name to be called.

As if on cue Andrea another Speechie (slang for Speech Therapist) walks down the corridor towards us. We say hi, how are you, all the time my eye is trained on the room which holds the answers to the next few years of my life…hopefully. Andréa picks this up wishing me good luck, calls her patient and they follow her back to her Therapy room.

My name is eventually called, not that I hasten the waiting time has been long, just seems that way. Dr Dean introduces herself, she is an Oncologist, she in other words checks blood of Cancer patients. Have I had my results yet?

No, I say. 

She tells me I have had Nineteen Lymph nodes removed; a minimal amount of Cancer was found in One. The whole tumour was removed successfully, however Chemotherapy would be necessary. FEC (I’m not swearing that is the name of the Chemo treatment.) 6 cycles.

Or in other words Six sessions in lay man’s terms.

Dr Dean then introduced us to Linda Baldry, another Breast care Nurse. Dr Dean then leaves us to chat about follow up treatment.

I talk through my results, were they good, would I be, ok?

Linda says the results were good, but she couldn’t give me an outcome. I’m given leaflets, and a form to claim for cost of an NHS wig. This done we drive off to Poole,

 We find the wig shop.

Wig hunting can be hilarious, Dave tries on a curly short haired platinum blonde wig that looks so funny against his swarthy Italian looks, he resembles a confused Rod Stuart, he swings in the chair grinning profanely, and he makes me and the Shop Assistant roar with laughter.                                                                  

I purchase a wig called “Linda,” it is a red, sandy, colour, straight, and shoulder length.

 I sign the form, hand over my voucher, and then still wearing the wig, we exit the shop. 

We are going to watch other people to see if they notice it’s a wig or not!

I feel like a special agent undercover, as we slip down the street and into the local supermarket, I’m scared the wig will slip, it feels hot and itchy, and I feel like I have a sign above my head. Stating-

“Bald Bird wearing a wig. I’m suddenly tired and need a drink.

                                                     46.

We go hit a local café, once we have coffee and cake, we find a quiet corner.

 Dave squeezes my leg under the table, he tells me I’m a hot babe!

“Does it look real though?” I pursue.

 ” Yeah, you look drop dead gorgeous!” Dave not realizing what he has said, smiles, bless him, my silver tongued Cavalier.

 We go home.

Jan the Breast care Nurse phones, I give her my results, she says that’s a fantastic result couldn’t be better. Arrange to meet Jan downstairs of the hospital on the 01.02.20 to look   around Chemo ward.

Show kids my wig, having removed it before pulling up home.

 George thrusts it on his head, we roar with laughter, he looks just like his sister! 

We go to the holiday house for a coffee and to show George off in his wig.

                                                                    47.

Next Step.

Today I go with mum, to see Jan Hill the Breast care nurse; she gives me a warm hug. 

Mum asks various questions about the up and coming Chemo, and what should we expect.

Jan gives information on how the body reacts, how over the sessions ones immune system becomes weaker, so a wise move is to stay away from fluey people, or coughs and colds etc.

Jan then leads us to the Chemo ward; we take things slowly as I tend to get breathless. We stop momentarily for me to gather second wind; I am then introduced to the nurses. Polly and the others (I apologise as I can’t remember their names).

The room once again is a pretty peach colour, with rows of comfortable seats, just like any other waiting room, I don’t know what I was expecting. We say goodbye to Jan and thank her for showing me around.

Mum drives us home. Thank you mum you’re a star. xxx

                                                48.

The Millennium! 2000!

Happy New Year One and all!

It is sufficient to say we all made Sharon and Steve’s party. Dave, me, Ems, and George.

 Kath and Tony our next door neighbours wander up the street together.

I felt noticeably light, and fragile.

Dave told me I looked beautiful in my long black and white dress.

 I had looked at my reflection, it is not the real me that stares back, I look into the hollow eyed thin person. But shrug and think what.

 Emily came up to bring me downstairs. We go to the party.

I wonder if you can remember what you did for the Millennium. 

I know I will never forget.

Happy New Year Everyone.

Joire de vive!

                                        

ISBN:9798662933149

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