October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Actual Dance tells a story of MY journey in response to Susan’s diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer in 2000.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I post a blog each day with a reflection about breast cancer. The reflections all stem from something in the play.
Day 23: Another Man’s Hands “We arrive for our Susan’s first [oncologist] exam shortly after he is selected. . . . I insist on being in the exam room with Susan and Dr. Blonder. How strange is it to watch as another man puts his hands on her bare chest.” The Actual Dance
I can’t explain the impulse but whatever the reason when it came time for Susan to go back into an exam room for the first visit with the Oncologist we had selected I insisted on being with her. I stood toward the back of this small exam room. The classic exam table in front on my right for Susan to lay on, covered with white paper over the brown plastic cushions. A sink and materials on the counter to the left. No window. The door to my back with a wall phone sitting to the right as you faced the door. It was uncomfortable for me as Susan took her top off and laid down. She seemed perfectly comfortable and matter-of-fact. I squirmed not sure what to feel. Then Dr Blonder puts on his gloves and reaches down and puts his hands on Susan’s bare chest. Susan seemed to smile at me in an effort to reassure me. Dr. Blonder was running his finger down the lips of the incision. And then he stops.
Stat of the Day: The number of deaths from breast cancer expected in 2016 is 40,450, or 6.8% of all cancer deaths.
Task of the Day: It is not going to be easy to look at your wife’s chest (much less touch it) post-surgery. Spend some time looking at picture of women post Mastectomy. Here is a link to Google Images.
Resource of the Day: Husbands have their own journey. I tell mine through a play. Here is a nice resource that reflects many different husbands and their journey.
The Actual Dance: Performances. Donate.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I post a blog each day with a reflection about breast cancer. The reflections all stem from something in the play.
Day 23: Another Man’s Hands “We arrive for our Susan’s first [oncologist] exam shortly after he is selected. . . . I insist on being in the exam room with Susan and Dr. Blonder. How strange is it to watch as another man puts his hands on her bare chest.” The Actual Dance
I can’t explain the impulse but whatever the reason when it came time for Susan to go back into an exam room for the first visit with the Oncologist we had selected I insisted on being with her. I stood toward the back of this small exam room. The classic exam table in front on my right for Susan to lay on, covered with white paper over the brown plastic cushions. A sink and materials on the counter to the left. No window. The door to my back with a wall phone sitting to the right as you faced the door. It was uncomfortable for me as Susan took her top off and laid down. She seemed perfectly comfortable and matter-of-fact. I squirmed not sure what to feel. Then Dr Blonder puts on his gloves and reaches down and puts his hands on Susan’s bare chest. Susan seemed to smile at me in an effort to reassure me. Dr. Blonder was running his finger down the lips of the incision. And then he stops.
Stat of the Day: The number of deaths from breast cancer expected in 2016 is 40,450, or 6.8% of all cancer deaths.
Task of the Day: It is not going to be easy to look at your wife’s chest (much less touch it) post-surgery. Spend some time looking at picture of women post Mastectomy. Here is a link to Google Images.
Resource of the Day: Husbands have their own journey. I tell mine through a play. Here is a nice resource that reflects many different husbands and their journey.
The Actual Dance: Performances. Donate.
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