Well, after those light hearted stories-it's time for something serious. The month of October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month- so this story focuses on that. And like I said-it's about to get heavy!
The one thing Go Go Tomago enjoyed about Saturday mornings was that she could enjoy a little 'woman-time'. She acted like she was one of the guys most of the time-except when she was with her boyfriend, Hiro, or her bestie, Honey. And so, while Hiro was out training with the others, she decided to indulge in a mid-morning bath.
The bath did wonders for her-the hot water helped ease the tension out of her sore muscles, and the scented soaps made her feel luxurious. She spent 15 minutes soaking, enjoying her personal time. She got out of the tub, and dried herself off. She looked at herself in the mirror, and rubbed her body. As she did, her hand stopped over her left breast.
Hmm…that's odd…the left feels strange…She rubbed her right breast, and then her left. And again-she noted the different feel of her breast. And then…a chill ran up her spine. Oh no…it couldn't be…but I'm not old enough! There was only one thing to do-she quickly got dressed, and headed out to the hospital.
The one great thing about being a hero was that getting admission into a hospital was fairly simple. Go Go, however, didn't like to take advantage of her 'hero' status. Eventually, she was admitted in to a doctor. She explained what happened- her feeling her breasts and feeling something strange. The doctor said, "Miss Tanaka- due to the efforts of the Hamada Foundation, we were able to obtain these medical microcomputers. I have never seen the prototype, however."
Go Go said, "I have…and it's incredible." The doctor activated the microcomputer, and the device whirred. After a few moments, the doctor said, "Well…Miss Tanaka…I have bad news."
Go Go said, "Go on." The doctor then said, "The computer has detected an anomaly within the tissue of your left breast. And my experience leads me to believe it is cancer."
Go Go said, "Cancer? I have cancer in my breast? But…I'm not old enough…isn't that something that only happens to older women?"
The doctor replied, "The incidence rates are higher for older women…however, it isn't uncommon for women younger than 45 to get cancer."
Go Go said, "No…so…am I going to lose my breast?"
The doctor replied, "Miss Tanaka…I realize this is very serious. So I want you to take these pamphlets and evaluate your options." He handed her the pamphlets, and Go Go headed home-facing the unknown.
Once she got home, she heard her phone buzzing. It was a message from Hiro-Hey Bae. I'm on my way over with lunch.
Go Go realized it was lunchtime. She sent back Lunch sounds good. C-Ya soon. She placed the pamphlets on a table, and sat down to watch a movie. 10 minutes later, Hiro appeared, carrying bags of food from the Lucky Cat Café. He turned to speak-but saw the pamphlets on the table. The one on top was titled Facing Cancer.
Hiro held it, and said, "Go…what is this?"
Go Go sighed, and replied, "Hiro…after my morning bath…I felt…"
Hiro said, "What?"
Go Go said, "I felt a lump in my breast. The doctor told me that the anomaly was probably cancer."
Hiro then said, "Go…this is serious."
Go Go said, "I'm so afraid…what if…what if…they have to take my breast?"
Hiro smiled, and sat next to her, and embraced her. He said, "Why would that be so bad?"
Go Go replied, "Because…I don't want to lose a piece of myself."
Hiro exhaled, and said, "Have you done anything about the cancer?"
Go Go said, "The doctor suggested a couple of tests…"
Hiro then said, "Well, you'll get those tests. And then-we'll face this cancer. And you're going to beat it. After all those times…it's now your time. Woman up, Go!"
Go Go smiled at Hiro, tickled that he even used her phrase. She said, "OK. Let's see what you got for lunch. Maybe your Aunt sent us some of her wings!"
Go Go opened her eyes. She wasn't in her bedroom…and she wasn't with Hiro. She sat up, and saw she had a gown on. She slowly went up to a mirror...and opened the top of the gown. She gasped-for there was a scar that ran from her armpit to her breastbone. But it wasn't was she saw that frightened her…
…it was what she didn't see. Her entire left breast had been removed. She remembered the doctors saying, "It's the only way…"
And then…she saw Hiro-and he was with someone else! And when she confronted him, he only said, "What? You'd think I'd want to be with someone who's…incomplete?"
Go Go sat up, breathing heavily. She then reached up…and felt she still had her breast. Would Hiro really leave me…if I have to lose my breast?
It was the day if Go Go's exam. But Hiro wanted to take Go Go to the café before. So they arrived- and as they walked in-Go Go could only cover her mouth in pleasant surprise.
The rest of Big Hero 6-Honey the chemist, Fred the Fred, and Wasabi- were all there. There was a banner that read "Good Luck!'. But Go Go noticed that everyone had a pink ribbon tied around their arm.
Go Go couldn't help but ask, "New fashion statement?"
Hiro said, "Go…this is for you. We're wearing these ribbons in support of you."
Go Go-now nearing tears- said, "This…this means so much…and I was so scared…"
Honey said, "What were you scared of, Go? The cancer?"
Go Go replied, "No…I was afraid of losing my breast…and how everyone would treat me…and even Hiro left me…because I was incomplete…"
Hiro said, "Go Go…you should never had felt that way. Now let's go beat that cancer!"
The entire team-and Aunt Cass-escorted Go Go to the hospital. She had convinced the doctor to give her both examinations that day. She did the first-an x-ray over her left breast. The next test was a biopsy-where they would insert a needle to extract tissue and determine if the cancer was benign or malignant.
Go Go asked, "What does that mean?" The doctor explained, "A benign growth is one whose presence hasn't threatened the surrounding tissue. A malignant growth is one that is aggressive-and the tissue is not safe. In fact, malignant growths are dangerous because they can spread to other parts of the body-which results in death. And if the growth is malignant…then the entire breast would need to be removed."
But now…Go Go lay on the table…and the doctor approached with the needle. He said, "Please remain clam. There may be some slight pain…"
Go Go nodded, and sharply inhaled and the needle pierced her flesh. And moments later, the doctor said, "OK, Miss Tanaka. You are good to go. It will take us some time to analyze this sample. We will contact you when we have the results."
Go Go walked out to her friends. And they came up and gave her a group hug. Go Go said, "All there is now…is to wait."
The next few days were agonizing…and then, Go Go's phone chimed. She saw it was the doctor who did her x-ray and biopsy. And now…the results were in. So Go Go and Hiro headed to the doctor's office. The doctor said, "Well, Miss Tanaka…I have your results."
The doctor said, "The x-ray determined that you do have a growth in the tissue of your left breast. However, it is benign. Therefore, we feel that we can simply remove the growth, without doing any significant damage to the breast."
Go Go exhaled, and said, "That's…good. That's good!"
The doctor said, "It is because of your self-exam…I tell women that in doing so, they can locate tumors before it's too late."
As Hiro and Go Go left, Hiro said, "And what were you so scared about?"
Go Go said, "When I found the lump…I was afraid I was going to lose my breast. And if that happened…you wouldn't want to be with me…because I wasn't a 'complete' woman."
Hiro said, "Go…I didn't fall in love with you because of your breasts…well, maybe I did…"
Go Go lightly pushed his shoulder at the teasing. Hiro then said, "But I fell in love with you because of what you have on the inside. I love all of you, Go…and nothing will ever change that."
Go Go said, "Even if I lost my breast?"
Hiro replied, "Even then…and besides, it's not like you couldn't get implants…"
Go Go then said, "You're right…and now…I'm ready to fight this cancer with everything I've got."
Hiro said, "If you fight the cancer like you fight bad guys, it doesn't stand a chance."
They laughed, and Go Go realized, I was so foolish to think Hiro would leave me…because he loves all of me…
AN1: Well, that was heavy! And I hope no one was turned off by this story. I do like to take fictional characters and have them face real world situations...
Anyway, that's all for now!
Well, not all- I don't want to sound like a solicitor...but if you want to help fight breast cancer, go to the National Breast Cancer website.
