Page 221 - She's One Crazy Lady!

that going back really was not a possibility so, after lengthy discussions “ with my Union and Dr Lawrence I made the still heartbreaking decision
to apply for that dreaded early ill-health retirement and for the process to begin.
Dr Lawrence: “You must be very disappointed.”
What really made my mind up was partly the ‘battles’ I had fought to maintain my position as Headteacher but also remembering the pupil who came to see me while I was there prior to my reconstruction when she tearfully said it wasn’t fair: “You’re our Headteacher Miss Hooper.” But I wasn’t, was I? – and I now knew I never would be. It was not a happy time so making the decision was like releasing a valve. Enough was enough.
On a positive note, I was able drive again so could get out and about and, having by then held our first Crazy Hats Walk I was now looking into our pin badge initiative. I was also doing a lot of writing. I had hope and my independence back!
Weeks later, at my first follow up, Mr Varma was delighted with how all the scars had healed and how the new boob had settled, getting his camera out again – the nurses teasing him about admiring his own handiwork. He had every right to! He spoke about creating a nipple using my own skin and flesh, possibly from my inner thigh or behind my ear, and also said he would like to remove what they called a ‘dog ear’, a peak of flesh that had formed under my arm where all the scars met and was causing quite a lot of discomfort. At the same time Mr Varma told me he would give my real breast a bit of a lift too as it sagged – the reconstructed one being quite ‘pert’!!! All three procedures to be done in six months.
Staff that I had befriended at NGH and KGH were very keen to look at my new boob and Jan, chemotherapy nurse, who I had got to know well, took me to one side and asked if she could have a look as she was thinking about having a breast reconstruction. The penny dropped! “Yes, Glennis, I’ve had breast cancer too.” All this time and she hadn’t said anything! Now I understood why she stood out from the other nurses in the Unit – always giving a little more care and time. Of course she did – she’d been there and got the T-shirt – she understood. Since that day we have remained good friends and Jan was to support us and see us all regularly when she agreed to do a sky dive, came along to our coffee and chat sessions and actively took part in other events and activities. Was breast reconstruction for Jan? No. She was happy with her ‘stick on’ prosthesis.
The build up to the nipple reconstruction was hectic. At first it seemed months away but gradually it was weeks and then days. Just as before, when I went in for the reconstruction, I had to contend with the different reactions and responses from those around me: “Why on earth are you subjecting yourself to yet more surgery?” Thankfully, others were pleased that I was having it done seeing it as literally getting ‘the cherry on the top!’ There was a lot of teasing too!
Mr Varma was delighted with how all the scars had healed
and how the
new boob had settled, getting his camera
out again – the nurses teasing him about admiring his own handiwork. ”
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