Teresia’s fate and hope
went under the surgeon's scalpel on August 29, 2019.
"I will never forget the day. A lot of things went through my head. Chief among them was the thought of death. I kept thinking what would happen if I failed to ever wake up, what if I died during surgery"
"They injected my back about eight times to put me to sleep. I remember hearing the anaesthetist say Theresa the first needle is coming now,"she said.
"I prayed and recited Psalms 23 and the words of that Bible chapter gave me hope and quelled my doubts of surviving the operation."
Most women with breast cancer undergo some type of surgery as part of their treatment. This may be done for different reasons, depending on the situation but generally, there are two main types of surgery to remove breast cancer.
It could be a breast-conserving surgery where only the part of the breast containing the cancer is removed. In this case, the goal is to remove the cancer as well as some surrounding normal tissue. How much of the breast is removed depends on the size and location of the tumour and other factors.
The operation could also be a mastectomy in which the entire breast is removed, including all of the breast tissue and sometimes other nearby tissues. There are several different types of mastectomies. Some women may also get a double mastectomy, in which both breasts are removed.
Teresia had a breast-conserving surgery on her left breast. Tissues from her right breast were used to patch up the gap left after a part of her left breast was removed.
"A few hours after the surgery I woke up in the recovery ward and wondered where I was. I was happy knowing I survived the operation and was alive to see another day." (Visit www.health.com for how to prepare for surgery)
Recovery and hope
Having her left breast operated on her 40th wedding anniversary year and at the age of 61 hasn't extinguished Teresia's bubbly personality.
And although she still experiences some side effects of her chemotherapy, she remains positive about gaining full recovery.
She said a huge part of her rehab has to do with the support she gets from her family, friends and stakeholders such as the Fiji Cancer Society.
"The support I get gives me strength and encourages me to fight breast cancer," she said.
"After getting accustomed with hospital treatment, I had to readjust my eating habits and meal times when I came home. In fact, now I start yelling when my meals are late," she said with laughter.
Teresia thanks Robert for giving her 100 per cent support and says life would have been different without him. She also owes a lot to her two daughters Filomena and Ana and son Robert (Jr).
"I have my meals in our bedroom three times a day. That is the type of treatment I get as a husband and I am lucky to have Teresia as my life partner. I am obliged to do everything in my power to help her, in good times and in bad times," Robert said.
"We are all giving her the opportunity to rest and just relax. She has been told by the doctors to refrain from doing any strenuous work. Unlike before, now we have to do all home chores for her and she gets to be pampered a lot."
Robert said his wife's journey has brought unity within their close families.
Teresia agrees that being around survivors gives her courage and optimism. She likes to learn about what other women with breast cancers are going through and their unique stories.
"I have been attending a lot of breast cancer awareness gatherings and I feel good about meeting other women. They make me feel I am not alone in my journey. We are one team and we are surviving and fighting together."
Teresia's advice to other women who are struggling with their health or afraid to seek help is "do not have fear in you, have courage and hope inIt stead. is not the end of the road.
"If you have pain, abnormal growth or experience a lump in your breast or if you notice a discharge coming out of your breast, do not hesitate to see the doctor. Talk to someone you can trust about it."
"Nurses and doctors who take care of cancers are very hospitable. They are always smiling and just being with them can be very comforting. You will have a sense of hope."
"I lost a sister who had fear in her. She chose not to go to the hospital. She didn't want an operation. In the end she passed on without seeing her daughter finish school, find a job and get married. She missed all those. I choose not to be like her. I choose to survive and so should you."