Other than the well-controlled asthma that I’ve had since I was a child and seasonal allergies, I haven’t been sick for 30 years. I hadn’t seen a doctor since before COVID when my family doctor closed his practice.
This spring I set some health-related goals – go to the dentist, get my eyes checked and find a family doctor. And so I did.
On my first visit to the doctor, I explained that besides the asthma and the allergies, I had nothing wrong except for a little acid reflux and I didn’t poop as regularly as I used to but I assumed those were ‘old lady’ problems.
“Not always,” she said and she sent me off for some baseline tests including an ECG, chest x-ray and blood tests. Two weeks later I had a follow-up appointment. Frankly, I don’t remember what the doctor told me other than she’d like me to see the oncologist at Michael Garron Hospital to figure out the next steps. I felt fine. Must be some mistake I thought.
The appointment with Dr. Freeman was on Wednesday, September 4, other than a few prods at the belly, I didn’t learn much and I left there with another appointment for mid-October.
Two days later, I wasn’t feeling at all well. My ankles were swollen, and I felt enormous pressure in my belly and my ribcage (or lungs). I decided, under the circumstances, I should take myself to Michael Garron emergency.
A few tests later, all things pointed to cancer of the uterus with the current issue due to the effects of a bowel obstruction. I was put on a liquid diet (jello and juice!) and with the help of laxatives, began to poop again. I was released a few days later only to repeat the process within a week. The second visit to Michael Garron was similar except they advised me if it happened again to go to Sunnybrook emergency where I would eventually have the cancer treatment.
And like clockwork, a few days later (October 1) I was back in emergency, this time at Sunnybrook. and after twelve hours I was admitted. My first chemo was administered as an in-patient, except for a rough few hours I am managing it well from home with the next treatment scheduled for November 1 as an out-patient.
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Health matters from my side of the bed is a collection of humorous (mostly) nonfiction, short stories about the people I’ve met, the food I’ve eaten, the memories that have been triggered, etc. since learning of my cancer diagnosis.
For more information:
email: gwd@ginettewhittenday.com
phone: 416-435-2258.
