It’s something when BBC security correspondent Andrew Gardner refuses to reply ‘good morning’ before his interview this morning because it’s not a good morning, as he says, far from it. Iran sending deadly drones and missiles to Israel is a new and awful development and makes me think of Nostradamus and his prophecy for the end of the world –
At some point, he predicted the third Antichrist will “rise over all the kings of the east” and trigger World War III. This won’t be pretty and will last up to three decades, resulting in a lot of death and destruction.
His predictions continue to the year 3797, perhaps there is some hope in that.
A Fellow Feeling
Last week 24 years ago I had a mastectomy. It came as a dreadful shock.
I was leaving the screening service in Linenhall Street, stopped to speak to a gentleman I knew who was waiting for his wife when suddenly I was being ushered back in behind the screens where I underwent a more in depth investigation. There was something wrong. I was asked if there was anything I needed to do within the next week – just to go to London to join Gloria in her birthday celebration but if they wanted me to I would stay nearby to do what I was told.
The arrangement was to go to the City Hospital a couple of days later and see the specialist who would tell me what was going on.
I suppose I was in a sort of daze but it never occurred to me to keep this private. I got into the car in Linenhall Street and told my husband that there was something that had to be dealt with. From a regular checkup I faced surgery, hopefully a lumpectomy, the children had to be told, so had my parents, my brothers, my friends. At once the wheels were in motion.
All this came back to me as I read about the Princess of Wales, my heart went out to Kate, I know what she has gone through and if it was anything like my experience she certainly needed time to come to terms with her diagnosis and time to speak to family.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
For me it was surgery within ten days and Jean, the lovely breast cancer nurse, telling me she would come to my bedside and we could have a look at the empty space together but I beat her to it. In the recovery room I saw the neat bandage but what shocked me was the sight of my two tummies, I knew I was quite bonny round the waist but not to that extent. It was something for Jean and her patient to laugh about.
Then there was waiting to hear the surgeon’s footsteps coming up the corridor, in through the door and the news he had taken away the diseased part and it had been examined only to find that the cancer had leaked out beyond the ‘halo’ and I’d have to have a total mastectomy.
The following weeks were devoted to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, the sickness, the fear, loosing my hair, looking in a dark painting rather than braving a mirror and using a baby’s toothbrush because I couldn’t open my mouth wide thanks to the ulcers round my lips.
FACING FACTS
I was exhausted and frightened. Life almost stopped except for writing articles for The Irish News. I wrote in depth about my Millennium experience and the two page spread was circulated around cancer units throughout Northern Ireland. It was a positive outcome and still to this day I am asked to talk to women who have had the diagnosis and interestingly husbands who are equally fearful.
And so I am sickened by the horrible reaction some of the media have been guilty of as Kate battles with the aftermath of the shock. The stupidity of challenging a photo, so what if it was doctored. I’m sorry she felt like apologising for it but I’m glad she made a public statement, it won’t silence the vindictive press but it will reassure many others who have more sense and empathy.
When I came home from Linenhall Street that day in 2000 I just told everyone that something was wrong and we were going to get to the bottom of it and fix it, my children were devastated and immediately caring. I always find, where suitable, it’s better to share immediately, if you don’t it gets harder and harder for everyone concerned, especially yourself. It’s a sensitive subject and it must be handled very carefully especially when talking the situation through with young children. They will sense something isn’t right so in my experience it’s best to sit them down and tell them you have a problem that has to be fixed, a hug and a smile and a treat.
Sadly, like in all cancers, treatment doesn’t work out for everyone. Thankfully, so far, it has for me but just as Jean warned me, every time I have an ache or pain I wonder if it’s cancer come back.
In April 2000 I made a request to God to allow me to live long enough so my new born grandson would remember me. Jonathan is now 25, Daniel is 19 and Charlie is 15 and I’m thankful to God for answering my prayer.
Kate is young and has a delightful young family and all of them face an unsettling time until she hopefully gets the all clear. She has my prayers.
Keep checking your breasts – men as well as women – and if in doubt get onto your doctor at once.
Great night out this week in the company of Christy Gillespie author of the terrific book The Road To Glenlough. This is an illustrated talk which covers the fascinating history and geography of this remote and monumental valley in the south-west of Donegal. Venue for the talk is the Geography Department, Queens University, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast, BT7 INN Date: Thursday 18th April. Time: 7pm. Admission: Free. You will enjoy this event especially if you love Donegal, the history, paintings and stories.
