The surgery was a success!

But as the saying goes it is just the beginning...

Three days after the surgery we were informed that it will take a few days for the biopsy result to be released. We got the doctor's approval for hospital check out in a few days. Fortunately Brandon was allowed to travel for his younger sister's wedding. Thank God for life-savers! Usually he drives when we go out of town, but since it was just days after his surgery we had to ask someone to drive for us. And life-savers are always there for us, as I believed prepared by Him.

The release day of the biopsy result came. As the ever positive me, I told Brandon on our way to the hospital that everything will be fine. But on the sideline I told him that everything will be better as long as he is at peace with himself. I started preparing him with my homily-like statements:

Whatever the result is, the first person who should accept is you... Everything happens for a reason... Everyone is with you in this time...

Although those words are meant for him, I feel as though I was saying it more for me.

As we walked near the doctor's clinic, I can feel my body shaking again. I was hoping that there were two doors we can choose to enter. One that says- Positive and another that says- Negative. Since the night before I already conditioned myself. It pays that since childhood I am used to expecting the worst in every situation. But deep in my heart I am begging God that the biopsy result will show nothing.

Doc Concepcion gave us a warm welcome and a big smile. It helped lessen my shaking a little bit. And it just came into my thoughts just now, maybe it was his plan all along to make me personally get the copy of the biopsy result. Maybe he was hoping then that I will check the result on my way back to his clinic.

"They haven't send us a copy of the result yet. But just while you are here I want to inform you that there are two different levels/kinds of cancer related to what we took from the surgery. Though we are not confirming anything yet. But just to manage our expectations, if ever the result is C, it can be C+ a levelling. If it is C with the 3rd level/kind that means the chemotherapy will be an upgraded process. But nothing to worry because I have the best Oncologists to recommend. But for now we need to get the copy of the result."

I don't know why I felt like Doc Concepcion was ordering me to get the result myself then. And I found myself walking to the hospital floor where results are released. I started walking in slow motion as if to lengthen the time for me to get the paper that will either make or break that day. Everything was a blur and I only realized I already got the result when I am already standing in front of Doc Concepcion's clinic again. I counted 10 6x before I decided to open the paper and read it.

I can't seem to read anything else in the paper. I can only see the part that says the biopsy result tested positive for nasopharyngeal non-hodgkin's lymphoma, and that it has the strain/level/kind that needs additional treatment/procedure together with the usual chemotherapy.

Everything seemed blank to me after. I can't remember how I put back the paper inside the envelope, and how I came inside the clinic. All I remember was that I was already seated beside Brandon inside the clinic. Doc Concepcion's voice woke me up.

"Nothing to worry, this is piece of cake. I will refer you to one of the best oncologists we have and someone that I know personally. The good thing is we were able to detect early and that you are still young and physically ready for the treatment." As always Doc Concepcion's words are like hope and encouragement pills.

I just remembered Brandon and I saying yes and thank you. I even cracked a joke by saying that neither of us have been sick or been to hospital due to sickness. And that diagnosis was a "one time bigtime" thing.

Brandon was trying to be lively and cheerful on our way back. And as I was reading the results and the recommendation to the oncologist, I gave my positive reaction again. I told him that we should still be thankful because we now know what to do with his situation. He smiled at me and I held his right hand. It is my way of telling him that I am with him as we start a different journey.

***

Thinking Positive on Getting Positive Biopsy result

- it was really a "one time bigtime" result. But seeing the positive side of things helped us get through it.

- we focused on the bright side that there are still things we have to be thankful for:

-- after surgery made him feel better specially on his breathing.

-- the cancer was detected while he was in his 40's, making him physically strong and fit for the chemo and other procedures after surgery.

-- we got to meet positive & bright medical professionals.
                                               ~•~