23. 8pm – proof of life.

I have no recollection of being in recovery and the first I knew was when I was wheeled onto Lynher Ward where Nick and and our youngest son were waiting for me.

It was 8pm.

The bed was plugged in at the wall and Nick gave me a kiss.  Apparently there was a person snoring and according to my husband and son I made some comment about putting a pillow over them to drown out the noise.   Not kind.  Where was my culture of kindness?

I have no idea if I said this or not… I do recall asking my son to make his phone into a mirror so my especially purchased M&S Autograph POWER red lipstick could go on.   I must have looked like the Joker from Batman as my complexion was an ashen grey colour and I had a bright red streak of lipstick.  However, POWER red lipstick meant I was alive and in some degree of control.  My son took a selfie too to send to the rest of the family – proof of life – so far I hadn’t croaked and the life insurance wasn’t needed.

As I came too I noticed I wasn’t in a side room but on a ward with five other women… what was going on?  It didn’t matter as I was alive and didn’t feel any pain.

Tip:  Be thankful the team got you through, someone found you a bed and you are now on the road to recovery.  Try and be kind. 

Author: fionaosmaston

I live in Plymouth, Devon with my husband Nick and near my parents Sandy and Sheena. Our three children, Marcus, Phoebe and Miles are grown up. I am a geographer and love teaching Geography. My current role is as an Assistant Vice Principal in an inner city comprehensive school where I lead on coaching and initial teacher training. In August 2017 I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma and following a skin sparing mastectomy and endrocrine/hormone treatment I am now awaiting a final reconstruction. These views are my own and writing this story has helped me come to terms with where I am in this interlude of life which has been dominated by breast cancer. View all posts by fionaosmaston