Breast Cancer and Monty Python – my lessons in life
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September 1st, 2009 | 10:30am
In Sept 2005, I was informed that I had a large, invasive and aggressive tumour in my left breast and lymph nodes. My Oncologist had broken the news to us as he sat warmly shoulder to shoulder next to me on the examining bed; in response to my husband’s question about whether we should expedite a visit from my parents, he smiled broadly, and, in his British accent said “…well, she’s not falling off the perch anytime soon!”. That statement made us laugh through our tears, and with it began my “Monty Python-esque” journey of determination, pain and fear that continues to this day.
The First Adventure Of “HOPE” The Breast Cancer Bear
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July 27th, 2009 | 10:30am
I decorated your homes, helped you choose your paint colours, and sometimes even tried to give you a little bit of courage to try something a bit more dramatic. My name is Kathy McNally, and for many years I worked as a decorating consultant.
On December, 7, 2005, I received the shock of my life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told that my surgery would take place within just a few weeks, and could expect a long drawn out series of chemotherapy treatments after that. As much as my entire family and circle of loving friends tried to get me out of my dark mood, I found myself constantly thinking, “Is this it? Is my life to end so soon?”
As much as I tried to wear my brightest and bravest face, especially in front of the younger members of the family, my darling little nieces Kassandra and Meagan picked up on my fears, and decided to do something about it. They asked their mother to take them to the mall, and upon arriving, headed straight for a store that lets you make up your own stuffed animals.
The evening before I was to go to the hospital for my mastectomy the girls showed up at my door with beaming faces. “Open it Aunty Kath.” they squealed in unison as they shoved a hand decorated gift bag in my face. From within the folds of tissue paper I withdrew the cutest, fluffiest, little brown Teddy bear, that I’ve ever seen, and all decked out in pink ribbons. “She’s got two hearts Aunty Kathy” cried the youngest.
“Squeeze the arm Aunty Kathy,” the eldest chimed in. I did as asked and followed it up with tears of love as I heard the bear say in the voices of my girls, “We love you with all our hearts Aunty Kathy.” The bear also came with a birth certificate; They had named her Hope.