A letter from Solvita
We have received the moving letter below from a patient who has used the services paid for by the Pink Train Foundation. It is always satisfying to receive such letters, as it confirms even more that these services are needed by women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank you to Solvita, for sharing with her experience!
***
When life seems beautiful, even after 40, when you are living a full,
exhilarating life with many emotional and physical activities, with no health
complaints, it might seem that nothing can threaten this wonderful existence.
Although I had had no complaints, I dutifully went for my annual gynaecological
tests, had samples taken to test for cervical cancer and, just as a matter of
course, after a break of several years, I also decided to go for a mammogram.
This is where my period of stress and fear began – I received the analysis
“suspicion of oncology in the right breast…”. It is important at this
point to stay calm, think the best and not start to panic without cause. I can
say that now, now that I have survived depression… It is easy to think or say
that everything will be alright, but the mind has bad thoughts of its own.
Unfortunately, I have close experience with this disease as my mother died from
breast cancer and of course, this prevented me from looking at the situation
optimistically. The lengthy process of examinations, uncertainty and waiting
took its toll on my strength and nerves, as it took six months from the first
diagnosis of suspicion to an actual full diagnosis. And then I could hardly
believe what the doctor was saying – there is no cancer! However, in
parallel with this news, I was told that one breast would need removing, as it
was full of precancerous microcalcification cells. I had just had one operation
to receive this analysis, during which part of the breast was removed. And now this…
It was difficult not to lose heart.
The
recovery period after both operations within two months was already physically
difficult, and now there were new feelings – post-operational emotional
distress. I suffered from health problems I had never had before – high blood
pressure, heart arrhythmia, strong headaches, pain in the back of my neck and
hand, the feeling that I would lose consciousness, I had to call for
ambulances… Under the care of a neurologist I had several tests and these
showed that my nervous system was to blame. I had already spent a lot of money
and now I had to find funds for rehabilitation. At my post-operative visit to
the surgeon, the nurse Dace suggested that I visit a physiotherapist. I was
concerned that I wouldn’t be able to afford it, but I was advised to get in
touch with the Pink Train Foundation and they helped me by covering these
costs!!! Now I regularly visit the physiotherapist and have started to regain
more mobility in my arms and shoulders, various pains are gradually subsiding,
and my emotional stress is helped by visits to the psychologist, which are also
paid for by the Foundation, and now I am on my way to recovering from
depression!! I am very grateful to the Pink Train!
And now
all I have left to say and to recommend to any other woman who is starting this
long struggle after being diagnosed - don't panic too soon as this can cause
worse damage to your health than the diagnosis itself in its worst stage, as it
renders you weak in your battle with the disease and prolongs and complicates
the recovery process. Never lose hope, and have faith that there are no
untreatable diseases – only untreatable patients. Allow others to look after
you in your hardest times, whether these are your loved ones, the doctors or the
Foundation. Everyone in life might encounter a difficult period when the
support of those around them proves invaluable.
My
story isn’t over yet either – I am awaiting a breast implant operation, but now
at least I can look at life more optimistically – through rose-tinted glasses,
or rather through the “Pink Train” window, through which the view of life and
opportunities is becoming rosier every day!
Yours
faithfully,
Solvita