17 years ago this week I sat on the table in my doctors examining room in Prince George, hearing him explain in his quiet South African accent that I had cancer, it was advanced, and that I needed to get my affairs in order as a good outcome was unlikely. It's not a cliche, I had an instant hot flash with cold sweat then fainted face first to the floor. I don't remember being afraid for me though, I was far more concerned about how I was going to tell mom.
God bless my doctor and my surgeon as they chose not to take out my lymph nodes and just let me fight it the best I could; I can never repay them for that brilliant, brave decision and allowing me to live a completely normal life now. In hindsight there were so many circumstances that turned in my favour when there was no reason to expect it.
The doctor, the surgeon and the oncologist all at the top of their game and open to new ideas and treatment, and against the odds all three working in PG the summer I needed them the most. The hospital allowing an early release so I could get home and back to a "regular" life and routine. Finding out I wouldn't need radiation treatment! PG's first CT Scanner arriving in town the summer that I started treatment.
17 years ago today, Dr Mittermaier saved my life. Rarely does a day go by that I don't think about that afternoon, the many ways it's changed me for better and worse, and the influence it's had on all my decisions since then.
