This week has been an intense one. After the shock of receiving my surgery date quite mundanely on the Thursday before Mr B left for his work trip, I quickly reverted to my trusty coping mechanism - PLANNING.
I rallied friends to help me pick the boys up from school, one to take them to school on the surgery date, my sister to be home as a contingency & Taxis to drive me about for the week.
I agonised over asking friends to pitch in, I’m someone who grew up having to sort her shit out by herself so relying on others doesn’t come naturally, I lamented to geographically distant friends about my conundrum, my fear of appearing to take liberties but they rightly assured me that I should ask.
I’m so glad I did because the response was amazing and a MASSIVE weight off my shoulders. I felt so loved.
The actual date came, Tuesday. Everything ran with Miltary precision. The taxi was on time, We dropped the boys en route to the hospital and I was at the reception desk with 5 mins to spare.
A very smiley nurse informed me she would be caring for me and we settled into the pre-assessment checks. This was when I noticed the wrong breast written on the front of the booklet. I anxiously queried it. She went to get the Surgeon who spoke to me and it turned out there was some confusion.
The breast I needed focus on was a bigger operation so it was decided to book me in for that. I wish the letters they sent had more information on it so I could’ve spotted it much earlier.
In the mean time, I breathed a sigh of relief as I wasn’t looking forward to solo parenting my two rascals post surgery.
I cancelled all the support I had set up and eagerly looked forward to seeing my hubby at the weekend.
The time between Tuesday & Friday seemed to drag on. I got more and more fatigued, my pain levels increased and my tolerance decreased. But you know what, I made it.
I handled it all chronic illnesses & all.
My biggest takeaway from this week are 1) No Man is an Island & 2) I should never underestimate myself.
My life might be very different but I’m still the same badass on the inside and that mental resilience is needed more than ever.
OMG "the wrong breast"????? That is just horrendous - what if you hadn't noticed? Yes, definitely don't underestimate yourself, Lucy - you are amazing to cope with it all as well as you do.
ReplyDeleteWhen they start marking the wrong boob I’m sure I’d have been like WHAT?!!! 😆😆 Thanks Emily! 💕
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