Trixie’s breast cancer story

“On August 17, 2023, I had my first-ever surgery after breast cancer was discovered in my left breast. Dr. Andreas Kluftinger needed to do a partial mastectomy.

Having never had surgery before, I was terrified. Beyond terrified.

My family and I arrived at the daycare surgery unit at 9:45 a.m. and were met with friendly, smiling faces. A nurse took us to room 9 where she outfitted me with a gown and asked me a list of questions.  At noon, a friendly man arrived to take me upstairs and kept me beside his work station.

Fifteen minutes later a nice lady came and introduced herself to me as the anesthesiologist! Dr. Breanna Balaton was very kind and calm. She asked me some questions and answered my questions. She put me at ease a bit. Soon after, a really wonderful nurse showed up to wheel me to the operating room. I knew this meant 'Go time.' I was SO scared. But this nurse treated me with such a kind compassion and made me feel secure.

I'd never been in an operating room before so I was surprised how big it was, and surprised at how many people were in there! And the huge table with so many instruments! I got a chuckle from the massive pictures of my breast on the screens across the room.

Dr. Kluftinger came over to speak with me and he helped to calm me a little more. I felt safe with his kind manner and how he seemed so confident and knowledgeable. Things moved quickly and the anesthesiologist came to put in an IV. I've had difficult IV experiences before so I was pretty scared, but she was quick to assess my hand, and, without missing a beat, told me she would use freezing, which I appreciated SO MUCH!

She got the IV in my wrist on the first try with zero pain. All during this time, the nice nurse was up beside my head on the right. She was very compassionate and kind to me. On the other side of me was another kind nurse who was putting heart monitor pads on me. She also treated me with an unexpected (to me) compassion and kindness.

I was still so scared. When someone asked me if they could use blood if needed, I remember saying that I hoped they would do everything in their power because I have kids. I just kept thinking I have to be alright for my family. I know I had tears on my face. I was just so scared. But they never wavered in their kindness or compassion.

The second kind nurse put the oxygen mask on me on top of the tears and I remember her saying this is just healthy oxygen to make the medicine work better. Next thing I knew, I was out...or rather waking up! When I opened my eyes there was a smiling face looking at me in the recovery room. She offered me an ice pop and a cookie.

Right away she was taking me to my family. As soon as she had me in room 4, I could see her using a phone to call my family. They were in the waiting room and were there right away. It was about 3:30 p.m., I think. Apparently I cried for the next half hour. I don't remember a lot about being back downstairs, but I do know the nurse back in daycare was also very nice and my family commented on what a nice nurse I had both going in and coming out.

Every single moment of my surgery day at KGH was met with compassion, kindness and knowledge. I felt safe and secure and important with each person who interacted with me. I realize these people do this all day, every day and I'm just ‘that overemotional woman’ and probably the 100th patient they've dealt with that week, but for me this was a big scary unknown experience. The ‘what ifs’ were popping in my head left, right and centre.

Being told you have cancer is a scary experience. Having surgery when you've never done it before, is a scary experience. And for someone like me who tends to have a bit of anxiety here and there, it's just a lot. But at KGH, no one treated me like a business transaction. They made me feel safe and secure and cared about, and for that I am so grateful. They made me feel like everything was going to be ok.

Dr. Kluftinger was beyond amazing, and the two nurses in the OR and the anesthesiologist Dr. Balaton made the surgery experience a good one. I really want to emphasize that those three ladies really deserve some acknowledgement, a hug and some praise. They should know that their compassion towards me, the kindness they showed, was so appreciated and I am forever grateful to them for making my first operation a good one. They should know that THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE.

Also many thanks to the daycare nurses for letting my daughters and my husband wait with me beforehand, and for calling them to come as soon as I arrived back. Because for me, I knew things were going to be ok when I could hear my daughters and husband say 'I love you mom, you're ok.'

I didn’t know it then, but the next steps for me included a second operation 20 days later to remove additional cancerous tissue, as well as a surgery to remove four lymph nodes. Because of the incredible staff at KGH and the good surgery experience, I wasn’t nearly as afraid the second time around. 

Next up, after I heal from these surgeries, will be radiation. I will meet this with a lot less fear because of my medical team that first surgery day. I honestly feel secure and confident in the care I receive at KGH.

Massive thank you again, Dr. Kluftinger, the anesthesiologist Dr. B., the OR nurses, the daycare nurses and the man who wheeled me upstairs. Thank you for turning a scary to me experience into a positive one. I am so grateful for you all. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Canada. Learn more about breast cancer.