As I watch the debate over pandemic - hoax or not - as several hundred thousand die and 100,000s more overwhelm hospitals, I am thankful I came from intelligent, science-trusting parents. The irony of anti-vaxers blocking a vaccination center not cognizant that their blockade is denying people their rights while screaming about their right not to be vaccinated. Pathetically mind-blowing.
I am eager to take my second shot of vaccine as one of the covid-19 pioneers. Do we know the long-term effects? Not yet, but we will. My thinking similar to my Mother's when she allowed my brother to become an early pioneer for the polio vaccine. What she knew for sure was seeing children dying or trapped in a body-encompassing iron lung and a President who could not walk because of polio. I will take the "bullet" for those who refuse to protect themselves and others. You're welcome.
Fortunately I have not been overly challenged from medical emergencies (knocking on wood, floor and head for good measure). Just the usual run of appendix, tonsils, rotator cuff, arthoscopic knee surgery. The closest scare came when they found that pesky suspicious spot on the mammogram one year.
Full disclosure: I was very lucky and did not come close to enduring what my friends and relatives have in the treatment of cancer. God bless them and I am in awe of their strength.
In my typical attitude of toughness, however, I chose to say nothing about the issue to anyone until a few days before the biopsy. In my myopic thinking, "no sense both of us worrying about it for a month". I was vehemently and justifyingly chastised by the OH who made it abundantly clear we are a team on these issues.
The biopsy was not bad as I remember answering a question asked by one of the medical personnel when I was supposed to be in floaty floaty la-la land. They were not appreciative of an audience so my next memory was waking up in recovery. They are so uptight in these procedures. For example, I remember myself being particularly hilarious during a colonoscopy. Well there was an audience of observers, though I don't know why my rear end was such a splendid teaching moment. In fact during labor and delivery (no drugs, my choice, dumb) I made note that music needed to be added such as "The Volga Boatman" song as that seemed to be the type of effort required. As I recall my Doctor directed extreme measures to keep me from continuing to make bad jokes. Well we all have our ways of coping while in pain. (His as well as mine).
Works both ways. I was suffering acutely from the flu-the lay on the bed literally unable to lift my head sick- when I decided to take a Doctor meet. He cheerfully comes back with "I have good news and bad". Ruh oh. "You're pregnant and I can't give you anything for your illness". He looked sad and said he thought I would be more excited. Ok at this point I am slumped against the wall trying to stay upright and avoiding spewing bodily fluids due to afore mentioned flu. Yay.
At any rate, I was somewhat surprised when my Doctor called after the breast biopsy rather emotional - ruh oh again. He said he was very sorry and did not expect it, but it was cancer. He apologized as he was going to be out of town for my first recheck and would meet with us when he got back. Decided to start a journal as you always hear how people cope with their treatment with journals. First entry was why? I always liked broccoli and other cruciferous veggies that are supposedly bulwarks against the dreaded "C".
Side Note: the nurse who took out my stitches cheerily informed me I would probably have a double masectomy as that is what she did with the same diagnois. Doctor was not happy with that armchair diagnosis and treatment plan.
When I did meet with the Doctor he made mention of tamoxifen in a precautionary treatment plan as the tissue removed was in situ (encapsulated). After research - yes I do research-I felt that perhaps the "precautionary" use of "tamo" could cause further and more severe problems. Amazing.They have the education and experience but it is your duty to do the research and make the decision. At any rate, we agreed he would "yank" any suspicious spots in the future and test them. Long story short - it did not progress and several needle biopsies in the Doctor's office were challenging but small discomfort considering what treatment could have been.
So yes, I will take my vaccination like a good soldier against the dreaded covid and pray we will end this awful pandemic in the foreseeable future. I feel a little selfish going ahead of the younger folks so I plan on continuing to journal so my grandson knows what being bold and protecting others is all about. I know I feel better....
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