CHAPTER 14

2025-1-7

Finally I had a minor surgery done early on Monday morning. Local anesthetic was applied onto a spot on the back of the right side of my neck after I lied down on my left. I was awake listening to the common stories of the two doctors chatting about their visits to families in Ottawa all along. I almost joined the conversation because I was also there twelve years ago.

After the operation, part of the “prize” with the size almost of a tennis ball was shown to me by a nurse as instructed by the surgeon. This cyst was as small as a peanut hiding under my skin twenty-five years ago. I squeezed this ugly thing out but failed and it swelt. The infection was treated. During the follow-up appointment with a specialist, he suggested I leave it there since it was benign. Without care and worry, it grew. It was confirmed to be a cyst after an ultrasound examination. There was no risk and the cost of removal would not be covered by Medicare. Patient has to pay. Very recently I knew that the presence of a membrane keeps the grease in, so it grows in size.

I covered it up casually by scarfs all along. I raised the issue to my family doctor during the annual medical check a year ago. “Nothing can be done since it is benign…and yes it will grow bigger.” a straightforward and indifferent answer came from my doctor. In the past ten years she has worked hard to reduce work and responsibility. I gave up seeking her advice. Her performance worsened to the point that we changed to another family doctor. The cyst was big enough to affect my sleep.

The new family doctor, younger than forty, told us in our first appointment that my cyst was the biggest she had seen. Removal might cost a few thousands and could be done within a few weeks. Knowing our limited resources, she would do her best to help. But I need to wait with patience. I chose to wait again after over twenty years of waiting. It was just seven months from referral to surgery.

“Wow!” was the reaction from the surgeon who first saw my cyst four months after referral. Then he read the referral report and passed my file to the nurse to schedule my operation and ended up with the result on Monday.

I thank my new family doctor and surgeon who care for the well-being of patients.