It's a club no-one wants to join.
asserted
one → want → ?
And the club remains a mystery to anyone who is not already a member.
asserted
who → remain → anyone
Based on her post on Tuesday, Judith has already enjoyed the induction.
asserted
Judith → base → induction
The shock of diagnosis is all the more shocking because no-one can tell you precisely what the diagnosis is.
asserted
diagnosis → tell → diagnosis
For many, an initial finding turns out to be the tip of the cancer iceberg, with each step potentially cascading into more possibilities and medical pathways.
asserted
finding → turn → possibilities
As a lovely breast care nurse explained to me down the phone as I waited for the biopsy result that ensured my entry to the After Cancer Diagnosis Club, you never really get one diagnosis.
asserted
you → explain → diagnosis
But the upside is, that means even the worst news can change!
asserted
news → mean → ?
Judith spoke highly of her delightfully named surgeon, Dr Fun.
asserted
Judith → speak → surgeon
You will rely on them like no-one you've ever relied on before to meticulously work their way through microscopic layers of skin and tissue and extract the stuff that will kill you.
asserted
that → rely → you
Who knew there were so many types of cancer?
asserted
Who → know → cancer
The medical professionals who work in this field are brilliant and in Australia we have remarkable survival rates.
asserted
we → work → rates
A few years back, my mammogram and my dental check-up were both due in the same week, but I only had time for one: I picked the scan foolishly thinking it would be the least problematic!
asserted
it → have → scan
That led to a repeat mammogram, which led to a guided biopsy, which led to a complete mastectomy, resulting in an even worse diagnosis.
asserted
which → lead → diagnosis
At that point my oncologist arrived and explained that in a year it would most likely be largely behind me.
asserted
it → arrive → me
A year of chemo, radiation and then mostly it was done.
asserted
it → do → chemo
But, of course, it wasn't really done.
asserted
it → do → course
Just because you're not hooked up to an infusion every week doesn't really signal "the end" of cancer treatment.
asserted
hooked → hook → treatment
Stretching out for years ahead – for me at least – is the Tamoxifen treatment, daily oral hormone therapy medication that rattles your bones.
asserted
that → stretch → bones
Then I opted for the reconstruction and a second mastectomy.
asserted
I → opt → reconstruction
Judith plans the same.
asserted
Judith → plan → same
Strange rash that won't quit?
asserted
that → quit → ?
The sound of my eldest tapping away at her homework next to my hospital bed made me feel safe enough to sleep, but it's a cruel thing asking to borrow your children's strength.
And you'll do most of this alone, sorry to say.
asserted
you → tap → this
Even the most willing families and friends will struggle to understand the fear, the aches, the change.
asserted
families → struggle → fear
As one of my friends once described it, "done or dead" is what most people can deal with.
asserted
people → describe → what
Emphasising the bright side and gags about a free boob job is the safe way to go.
asserted
Emphasising → emphasise → job
But it can make the experience all the lonelier.
asserted
experience → make → ?
Loading..."I'm fine" is so much easier an answer for others to hear than "I hurt all the time" or "God, the tiredness!".
asserted
I → load → ?
Bits of my body will never feel the same.
asserted
Bits → feel → body
You know how amputees talk about phantom pains?
asserted
amputees → know → pains
I have a phantom itch where my breast tissue used to be, but no amount of scratching can get to it because there is no sensation in the skin.
asserted
amount → have → skin
As if you needed one.
asserted
you → need → one
Listen to Judith and get your boobs checked.
asserted
boobs → listen → Judith
And Judith, you're about to be amazed by the people you meet and what you're capable of.
Annie White is an ABC journalist.
asserted
White → meet → what
The Aporia
