Nothing like a health scare to make you appreciate your life even more!

I have contemplated posting this story, but the more I think about it, the more I feel compelled to share. Not only for the sole reason of getting it out of my head, but to make others realize how they need to pay attention to their bodies warning signs.

As I approached my 55th birthday this January,  I was bragging how good life would be when I was eligible to get 'senior' discounts at certain stores and venues. How else does one take getting older with a touch of humour? Not to get into specifics, but two days before my birthday, a portion of my body malfunctioned. I figured it was nothing important and dealt with it. Then I got to thinking, maybe this is a sign that I need to visit my doctor. Now my family doctor that I had since 1972 had retired last summer, so I would be telling my life history to my new doctor: a virtual stranger. He told me not to worry and set me up for blood work and an internal ultrasound. After having both done, I waited for the results. I had made a follow up appointment with the doctor for March 27th. Imagine my surprise when I got a call at the end of February asking me to come in and see the doctor ASAP.  The first words out of his mouth were " I need to let you know that 'this' is considered Cancer..." And he went on to explain how I would need to see a specialist and possibly have a biopsy. Of course, after the c-word, I blanked out.

The appointment was made with the specialist at KGH. Due to the fact that I work < 10 blocks from the hospital, I opted to walk over. I cried all the way there and back. The appointment, which was a blur, ended with a chunk of my DNA being ripped from the inside of my body. After loosing my mother to that f'ing disease, all I could think was that I was not ready to leave this earth. I have way too many things left to do on this earth. Of course I shared this with my husband, close friends and a couple of co-workers. There would be a two week waiting period to get the biopsy results. The first week was spend crying, worrying, planning the revisions of my will, and seeing what benefits I might be entitled through my work. After consulting with my friend Martha, a Cancer survivor herself, I realized that planning for the worst was counter productive. I oftentimes thought 'what would my Mom tell me to do?' So the second week I changed my tune, and put a positive spin on things. The good Lord was NOT ready for me to take up residence in his home.....

This past Tuesday was my follow up appointment at KGH, I walked over there with my head high. I could feel all those positive vibes coming from those who knew what I was up to that morning. As I sat in the room waiting for the doctor to arrive, I took two pictures out the window. The second picture I took looked like a beam of light coming down from the heavens.  I didn't notice this till much later in the day after posting the pictures to facebook. The doc came right out with the good news : NO CANCER! The technical name of the condition is called atrophic endometrium. He said if I have no further symptoms, he never wanted to see me again. I felt like hugging him I was so happy! I basically ran back to work, and didn't really realize my luck till I walked into my work area and locked eyes with my Supervisor Rupa. She jumped up and started to hug me....tightly! Of course, that's when the tears of joy started to slip out. I sent out a message to my dear friend Martha, and then got right back to work. Imagine my sheer joy when I came home and found a lovely handmade tag tied to a bottle of white wine sitting on my doorstep. How thoughtful of Ray and Martha in assisting with my celebration of life:)

I still am in awe of my incredible luck and the fact that my initial conclusion, as crazy as it sounded, was so wrong! It was not God's will to take me this early...he must want me to partake in the true senior discounts we are rewarded with at the age of  60 and 65!