28th October 20222
Waking up from my neck dissection operation. Apparently, I was waving away post surgery when the nurses collected me from theatre and back to my hospital room which made Rob giggle. The previous biopsy to prove I had thyroid cancer actually proved that I did not have thyroid cancer and therefore the neck dissection operation was the next step.
I did not think too deeply before the operation because we have spent the last two months doing tests, waiting for results and mentally and physically dealing with all the emotions a person has to go through on this journey which at times has been traumatic. I felt very nervous the first time I thought I was going to have the operation and spent time thinking about being opened up and how that made me feel. I wanted the doctors to get rid of the cancer cells in my neck, I wanted Bridget out of my body. If that meant having a scar from the right side of my ear down to my neck line then I was prepared to go through with the operation and live with the scar.
What I have learnt and found out doing my own research is that there are various things you can do to cover up a scar, like wearing lovely scarfs, (I have collected so many over the past 30 years!) I also have recently discovered you can buy neck necklaces to cover scars which is something I would look in to doing for special occasions.
Additionally, my friends and family comforted me and shared their stories about scars and how they have healed and with time slowly faded. Reading other post patients posts, some people show their scars like a badge of honour as they have made it through the other side.
My doctor also explained the healing process which can take up to one year. I felt confident everything was going to be fine. I trusted my doctor and understood this was the worst case scenario but it had to happen to help identify where my primary cancer was hiding.
I remember feeling calm on the day of the surgery, that's because I did an awful lot of yoga to keep me calm! I know that my passion for yoga meant I would not be able to practice for a very long time and I wanted to make sure I did plenty of lessons beforehand.
The yoga community I know have been wonderful. One of my teacher's Stewart has been very supportive. One lady who was introduced to me by Stewart gave me a stone which I can only describe as a Healing stone, or stone of Wisdom. The stone is beautiful and is very special and has helped me get through all of the recent tests being poked for blood and any other necessary treatment required in my arms. I hold onto the stone while being poked by nurses and doctors which keeps me calm. I am truly grateful for the kindness the lady at yoga showed me, something I will never forget.
Wisdom and Healing stone.
Another yoga teacher who experienced cancer contacted me and was kind enough to listen to how I was feeling whilst I was waiting for my first operation to go ahead. I don't know him personally and I have never done a lesson with him but appreciated him taking time out of his personal schedule to listen to my rambles and share his story and advice.
In total I spent 4 days in hospital recovering from the operation. The following day I was walking and did some light exercise to help get stronger. The nurses at London Bridge hospital were amazing especially nurse Daphne who was very friendly and attentive, I had the best care ever!
I listened to a good few songs on my playlist whilst healing. Nurse Daphne liked Waterloo Sunshine by the kinks. This song lifted my mood and my nurses mood so in memory of the London Bridge nurses and lovely Daphne this song is for you.
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