FRIEND UPDATE

My friend who had a mastectomy yesterday is doing SO well. I went with a friend to see her this evening and she looks amazing – even with three or four ominous looking tubes attached to various parts of her body, she was in unbelievably good spirits. She is just SO pleased it’s all over. Her new boob looks the right sort of shape and she has a flat stomach where they removed some of her tissue to stuff in her breast (although don’t tell the plastic surgeon I said “stuff” because they actually have to reconnect blood vessels and I’m sure it’s a bit more complicated than that).

She’s in the Royal Marsden. I’ve never been in there before. Such a grand old building – but a bit dilapidated inside I thought. Her ward seemed full to the brim with distressed women. Literally wandering up and down wailing or swearing from their beds. I felt like I was in Bedlam. I’m not good in that situation. Can’t believe I once considered a career in nursing. I would have been appalling. Generally if ever there is the threat of a plaster to put on or an accident to deal with I have to stare at the wall until somebody else comes to the rescue. I had to stop twice on the way out to stare at the wall because of various dramas that I didn’t want to have to get involved with. In addition, I was disappointed I’d forgotten to buy her some jelly beans because they are perfect for sticking up each nostril and in each ear to block out smells and sounds.

THANK GOD I remembered to buy her earplugs. She is SO going to need them tonight. There is a woman in the next bed with a serious stomach cancer problem and you would not believe the noises emanating from her. Poor thing. But really. Can’t they build soundproof walls around each bed instead of flimsy stupid curtains?

Isn’t medicine a wonderful thing?