STONE IN THE BREAST

Rhoda was wheeled into the Accident and Emergency section of the hospital. She suddenly could no longer walk with associated history of severe headache and back pain. She was 33 years old and a mother of four children. Her husband, Mr. Damian, came in the company of his younger brother probably for moral or financial support. Anxiety was written on their faces while confusion dangled over their chests like the necklace of Rick Ross. A young lady with unkept hairdo, a haphazard buttoned shirt and occasionally scratching her hair as though their were termites in it kept calling on Rhoda with such gracious words to sooth her pain and give her hope.
It all started four months ago when Rhoda noticed that her three months old baby would refuse to suckle her right breast when put to it. When she squeezed the same breast, bloody discharges mixed with breastmilk were apparent but she kept this from her husband and sister-in - law for about a month despite feeling a lump in the same breast. Pain which afflicted the breast alongside appreciable growth of the lump broke her silence. Her sister-in-law was of the opinion that the breastmilk from the affected breast had gone sour but for the lump, she suggested a herbal concoction that would dissolve it and possibly remedy the sourness of the breast. Yours faithfully, Mr. Damian, bought the idea, dashed out like one with fecal incontinence with watery diarrhea and procured the drugs which his wife took for two months. Of course if it was effective they wouldn't present to the hospital.
Back in the hospital, I enquired, was she sick before now? Mr. Damian reluctantly responded, my wife has a stone in her breast. The word 'stone' pricked me like the acupuncture needles and my heavy and weary eyes opened as though there was lightening in the room. What do you mean by that? I enquired . Then he doused my curiosity when he added that 'it was a spiritual attack', then why are you here? You should take her to the church, I rebuffed,to bruise his ignorance but he broke down in tears and said, 'Please help us sir'.
When I examined her breast, both appeared like an orange peal, the nipples had retracted and both breasts were harder than Olumo rock. Her health deteriorated so fast, she lost consciousness two days later and never woke up.

IMPORTANCE OF SELF BREAST EXAMINATION AND EARLY PRESENTATION TO THE HOSPITAL

Rhoda had malignant cancer of both breasts which actually started from the right but her delay gave room for it to spread to the left breast, bones and brain. This explains her pain, paralysis and eventual loss of consciousness. Her liver was also enlarged and tender suggestive of possible spread to it.
The lump may be a benign (harmless) or a malignant (can cause death) as in the case of Rhoda. Please note that benign condition may transform into malignant if not attended to.
Thank  you for reading.