I am 58 years young, a mother with one daughter, and no family history of breast cancer. Yet, here I am, the latest blip on the breast cancer radar screen.
While still trying to come to grips with this disease, I decided to write the beginnings of a new journey, because it is important to me to send this vital message to all women: do not take your breasts for granted. Whatever the size, no matter how perfect you now feel, take some time off to get “mammogrammed.”
I had my first-ever mammogram the week I turned 58, on February 9. It was the first I had, because some years back, I was told that a mammogram was painful. “Your breast will be squeezed flat like a pancake. It’s very painful.” A friend of mine told me that. The image of my breast being flattened into a pancake stuck.
The reality was galaxies apart in difference.
At the Asian Breast Center (ABC), they have a free-standing digital mammogram machine. My first experience with it was completely painless. The “squeezing” never happened because the machine stopped short of causing even a sliver of pain. Daryl Gonzales, the young medical technician that conducted the mammogram, was kind and super efficient.
There was no “pancake sensation” at all. I shook my head and thought to myself: All those fears, for so many years, only to discover yet, for the nth time, how technology keeps changing the world.
How sad that I had to undergo a mammogram at such a late stage in my life.
Three days after, the results from the radiology department was in all caps:
“IMPRESSION: SUSPICIOUS MAMMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN THE LEFT BREAST AS DETAILED ABOVE. NEEDLE CORE BIOPSY UNDER ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE FOR THE LEFT BREAST MASS IS WARRANTED.”
Oh, wow, I thought to myself. A biopsy is a serious thing. I grew up in a family that is dead scared of needles. My father described nurses as vampires every time he needed a blood extraction as a stroke victim. My old family dentist used to give me a sleeping tablet so I won’t be conscious during tooth extractions and other major dental procedures. That was the only way I could be enticed to go near his chair.
Yes, I am a coward. My threshold of pain is way below zero. And now, a frigging biopsy? OMG to the max, and beyond. But hey, I do love life so opting out is not part of the deal.
At the Asian Breast Center, they gave me a topical anesthesia that was strong enough for tattoo artists to use. The super cool Dr. Max Basco injected a local anesthesia, giving it time to work, before my needle core biopsy. Working in close tandem with Dr. Maria Theresa Buenaflor, they used ultrasound as a guide, avoiding blood vessels, and extracting samples from my left breast for diagnosis.
For all the terror I felt in my heart and the endless doomsday scenario playing out in my overimaginative head, the only wound that I ended up with after the biopsy was too small to even notice. They sent me home after putting an ice pack on the near-invisible wound. I didn’t even need a Band-Aid.
After the needle core biopsy, I then had a breast MRI with the assistance of a fellow Netflix addict, nurse Maria Elena Isabel Trinidad Legarda delos Santos, also known as “Sunshine.” When you get to meet her, you’ll understand why the name fits the character. In between diagnostic tests, we would chat about Ian Veneracion and Bea Alonzo’s love story, A Love to Last, which still streams on Netflix. Of course, I had to tell nurse Sunshine about Crash Landing on You, which I consider one of the best Kdramas of all time! Ooops, where was I?
Oh. The cancer. Yup, it’s in my left breast. I call it, “Mr. Sneaky.” When I found out about his dark, brooding presence, my first instinct was to simply ask my doctor to carve a door, out of my breast, and just ask Mr. Sneaky to quietly leave the premises. I guess it doesn’t work that way.
On Monday (February 24), I will be having my left breast removed. They call the procedure mastectomy. The breast surgeon/oncologist blessed with the privilege of taking out my breast is Dr. Norman San Agustin, the founder of Asian Breast Center. He is the breast man, oops! I meant the best man for the job.
Doc Norman has his own “Normanisms.” Whenever I consult him, I come home with notes that include such gems like: “I can see the fear in your eyes. Don’t worry. We will help you get through this. Mas mahirap naman kung sumakay na sa barko ’yung cancer cells at bumiyahe na.”
When I keep badgering him to tell me what stage my cancer was at, he said: “May cancer na naka-wheel chair, may cancer na naglalakad, may cancer na mahilig tumakbo. Malalaman na lang natin ’yan sa araw ng surgery.”
I love my doctors. I trust the Asian Breast Center. But I don’t love Mr. Sneaky.
My daughter, Estelle, sister Baby, and lifetime partner, Fort, agreed that I should include early breast cancer detection in my shelf of new advocacies. If by writing and vlogging about this bump on the road, I would be able to convince even one woman to undergo a mammogram, then sharing this journey is worth my more transparent life.
That I am still a coward, there is no doubt. But hey, I love my God. And He loves me.
So, hello cancer!
I’m ready for you. Don’t even think of making yourself comfortable.
My boob is not your home.
****
Susan V. Ople heads the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a nonprofit organization that deals with labor and migration issues. She also represents the OFW sector in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.
9 comments
Hi Miss Toots. Admirer of your advocacy from afar. Hoping for your recovery, mam. This country needs you and I feel your best is yet to come.
Thank you so much for your kind words. God bless you! 🙂
Hi Ms. Toots, we met when I was still with Visayan Forum, since ate Cecil and Kuya Jerome used to tag me along at the Blas Ople Policy Center and at the Senate while we were lobbying for the amendment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law and passage of Batas Kasambahay back then. You have a strong support team behind you with Sir Fort and your family. I am praying for you, for strength and endurance to overcome Mr. Sneaky, and wisdom for the members of the medical team who are assisting you. God bless po!
Hi Maui! How are you na? Thanks for cheering me on. Yes, I have the best support team ever! We got this. Thanks and keep well!
Praying that all comes well and good with you – Hugs and prayers being sent to you Ms. Ople – Keep the faith!
Thanks, Cora, for the hugs and prayers! Your kindness is deeply felt and appreciated!
Hello Mam
A surprise pebble in the path of life.
We’ve been in many fights together in our efforts to make things better for our countrymen abroad, and I’m sure all the fight you have in your life you will bring here.
Because that’s what heroism is all about. And you’re a hero to many.
Like your Dad and his friends who’ve all personally guided us at one point or another, you are a pillar in our lives and pillars don’t get easily blown away.
You’re not alone because you’ve inspired us with your life-long enthusiasm, and together as an inspired community we walk with you in this difficult but eventually triumphant stage in your life.
Sincerely,
Raul Dado
Thank you so much, ConGen Raul Dado for these kind words. The heroes will always be our workers. We are but trees that offer shade at the time most needed. God bless you and all our comrades in public service. Let’s not get tired of doing our best and always for the right reasons. That is the essence of being alive. That is why, for all the pebbles and boulders in and on our paths, we stick together, we support each other, and we never sugarcoat. God bless you, my dear friend. God bless this journey of ours. 🙂
hello mam susan you are such a blessing and an inspiration to many that are also in distress now because of a problem with cancer ….
i can shate a thought to the many scared nes
that there is an assurance of the BIG C….. CHRIIST who lives in us……there is none like HIM……Be praying for you mam…..God bless you and your good works…… Jesus loves you
you still have a miion to do mam……. Keep Safe always!!!!!
Maria Pilar