A letter from Solvita

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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

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