Page 107 - She's One Crazy Lady!

called in by the triage nurse, and so began the first of dozens of times of exposing my boobs to equally dozens of medical professionals. I was suddenly more nervous and even more embarrassed.
I explained why I was there; the triage nurse examined me and suggested a doctor should look at it. As luck would have it, Dr Lawrence was on duty that morning and he came in to see me, asking me to lie down, lean forward, stand up – all the time feeling around the area in question. This was such a new experience, but he was so kind and thorough and explained as gently as he could that there was something suspicious that needed to be checked out by a specialist at the breast clinic. He said he would fax through all the details to Kettering General Hospital, and I would receive an appointment within a few days. That quick!
As much as this was so important, I suddenly felt relieved that I had sought medical intervention, that it would be investigated – that I had finally seen sense. Dr Lawrence had been so caring and so professional; he had eased my anxious mind and I had every confidence in him. The first hurdle was over. Dr Lawrence proved to be such a strong source of help and support, as well as a confidante over the forthcoming years – I felt I could, and did, tell him everything that was bothering me. I was, and still am, forever grateful.
Back at school, those I had told wanted to know immediately what had happened and what was going to happen. I found myself sitting with Des, in his/our office, having a heart-to-heart talk about all the possible scenarios. He wanted to know everything and said he had never talked so intimately to anyone, apart from Anne, his wife, about women’s personal problems! I told him I never thought I would be so open with him either, but because we had such a good relationship, I felt comfortable when talking to him and we did have lots of laughs. Chatting as we did was easy. But there, in the back of my mind, was the thought, “God, I’ve now got to be seen by a consultant – in the breast clinic – 46 years old!” I still chose not to tell family members.
True to my GP’s words, an appointment from KGH came through for nine days later. The letter stated I was to allow up to two hours for the appointment, to take into account certain tests and procedures that may need to be performed. I put it on my ‘to do’ list and put all my energies into my work, thinking back to the last time I had been to KGH for tests, about ten years earlier. Now that was embarrassing! For some unknown reason I had begun to lose weight very quickly and everything I ate came through – quickly! Even though I felt OK, I’d lost almost two stone in as many months, so was sent to have a barium x-ray where, after having had to take a very strong laxative, ‘gallons’ of radio-active fluid was pumped into the back passage along with copious amounts of air, followed by a camera that was then inserted! My abdomen was so blown up I looked as if I was pregnant, but it was an ‘Ouch!’ few moments. Thankfully, I was given the good news that everything looked healthy. So, what was happening? They thought a germ had got stuck
“Dr Lawrence proved to be such a strong source of help and support, as well as a confidante over the forthcoming years – I felt
I could, and did, tell him everything
that was bothering me. I was, and still am, forever grateful. ”
107