The Actual Dance as a play presents the events of the year 2000 from my point of view as the spouse of the woman going through breast cancer. Now, seventeen years later, it is apparent that I did not fully understand how deeply the experience impacted me. It took me 12 years to write the story, so to speak, and the last nearly 5 years I have been telling it through performances of the play. Every October I blog daily to help in raising awareness and to share elements of the story that I hope are of value to those who read these blogs.
Day 13: ONCOLOGY NURSES: “It’s 7 in the morning and Dr. Happy [The nickname I have given the breast surgeon.] is making his rounds. Susan has slowly and steadily recovered her strength and stability in this very short period-of-time. We are enjoying walking around the 7th floor, the cancer floor, with IV stand in tow…” The Actual Dance
The doctor comes to visit patients in the hospital once or twice a day or if there is an emergency. You see a nurse once and HOUR or more often. And these nurses tended not just to Susan but also to me – because I camped out in the room with Susan for the first few days of her post-mastectomy recovery. They encouraged me, checked in on me and reassured me. They trained me how to empty “the two plastic bulbs hanging off each side of Susan’s chest filled with a red liquid.”
It was not easy – Susan struggled during her recovery because “she did not react well to the anesthesia.” And I struggled. As I say in the play, “Hell, I didn’t even change the kids diapers and now I am helping Susan vomit.”
The nurses honored us with a caring attitude and orientation, not just competent care.
Stat of the Day: About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations. Source
Task of the Day: If you or someone you know is facing breast cancer search out to a “breast care navigator.” They exist in many places in many forms. Most hospitals now employ one and many independent cancer support groups offer the same type of help
Resource of the Day: Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses teach patients about breast care, connect patients to resources to help them get vital biopsies, ultrasounds, and mammograms, and follow up to make sure patients are cared for with the attention they need and deserve.
The Actual Dance: Performances. Donate.
Day 13: ONCOLOGY NURSES: “It’s 7 in the morning and Dr. Happy [The nickname I have given the breast surgeon.] is making his rounds. Susan has slowly and steadily recovered her strength and stability in this very short period-of-time. We are enjoying walking around the 7th floor, the cancer floor, with IV stand in tow…” The Actual Dance
The doctor comes to visit patients in the hospital once or twice a day or if there is an emergency. You see a nurse once and HOUR or more often. And these nurses tended not just to Susan but also to me – because I camped out in the room with Susan for the first few days of her post-mastectomy recovery. They encouraged me, checked in on me and reassured me. They trained me how to empty “the two plastic bulbs hanging off each side of Susan’s chest filled with a red liquid.”
It was not easy – Susan struggled during her recovery because “she did not react well to the anesthesia.” And I struggled. As I say in the play, “Hell, I didn’t even change the kids diapers and now I am helping Susan vomit.”
The nurses honored us with a caring attitude and orientation, not just competent care.
Stat of the Day: About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations. Source
Task of the Day: If you or someone you know is facing breast cancer search out to a “breast care navigator.” They exist in many places in many forms. Most hospitals now employ one and many independent cancer support groups offer the same type of help
Resource of the Day: Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses teach patients about breast care, connect patients to resources to help them get vital biopsies, ultrasounds, and mammograms, and follow up to make sure patients are cared for with the attention they need and deserve.
The Actual Dance: Performances. Donate.
RSS Feed
