By Kenneth Juror | Kenya
I am
sure by now you know absolutely well that October is the breast cancer
awareness month. Consequently, I believe you are aware that I am a polygamous
man, if you do not know then kindly revert to my previous blogs “The twins I did not of part one and two”. I am proud of my wives.
One Saturday evening I posed a question to
them, my wives, on what they thought on going for a mammogram. Nicole looked
up, I noticed she had not anticipated me asking such a question; Angie on the other
side was quiet for a moment then said she would not go as she is scared. “I am
still young and it is better not to know I have cancerous cells on my boobs
than knowing”. “What will my babies do without them?” She asked.
After
Nicole’s face changed she was ok with it so we planned on a day to go for the
screening. I left Nicole convincing the sister on how important it was not only
for the children but her own health.
Screening
A week thereafter I took them to a Nairobi
hospital where we found other ladies on the queue. I felt awkward being on the
queue, I was the only man, though it was not long. When it was Nicole’s turn to
get in, she clutched her soft hands in mine and never wanted to let me go meanwhile
on the other hand Angie clutched on it so we went in the three of us.
“Hallo
Sir and ladies I will only attend to one at a time” the doctor said upon our
entry
I
explained to the doctor that they are my wives and that we are a family. That
is why we came for check-up. The doctor smiled then welcomed us.
He
talked to us through the procedure and what it all entailed basically we were
being counseled. The doctor also advised Angie and Nicole to go for pap smear
(cervical cancer screening).
For
the latter I was required to pay some amount, I got out my medical insurance
cover, the doctor told me to go to the main reception to fill in some forms and
bring them to his attention.
Before
I left Nicole went in first for both the mammogram and pap smear.
Angie
got hold of my hand “I am going with you” she was trembling; I was as well
having the fear of the unknown and so many ifs in my mind, I had to be
courageous as she may back out.
Our
return
We came back with the forms some I filled
and left at the hospitals administration’s office. Angie held me so tightly
that I could feel my bones cracking. I did not complain as I very well
understood her fears as it gripped me too.
Nicole
came back from the examination room then in Angie went.
The
anxiety on Nicole’s eyes were quite evident as she rubbed her palms more often,
something that I know she rarely does as I know her as a confident, strong
woman.
The
doctor gave us the results and the relief on my wife’s face was priceless I do
not need to say whether it was good news or bad, the happiness was however short
lived as our attention focused on the examination room’s door.
After
a wait of about 15 minutes the door swung, Angie came out trembling with tears
almost dropping from her eyes; she hugged me so tightly and reached for the
sister. I have never fought tears the way I did that day.
Our
arms were around each other’s and after a few seconds the doctor cleared his
throat, we left each other but Angie sat on my lap as he gave us the results.
The
doctor asked Angie “why were you trembling? What is wrong?” I interjected and
told the doctor to kindly tell us what the results were and avoid sideshows.
Nicole also supported my idea Angie had a different thought and went ahead to
explain to the doctor why she was afraid.
All eyes on us..
When the doctor smiled I knew all
was well. “Sir your wives are free from cancerous cells on both the cervical
and breast screening”. I almost threw Angie in the air save for her weight, I
could not.
That
was the time tears flowed and indeed they flowed. Tears of joy I must say. I
had to calm my women before leaving the doctor’s office because their teary
faces may scare away other ladies on the queue.
Once
they were well we left, tears actually washed away all their makeup.
Nicole
met her workmate on the queue, “where is he?” I greeted her and so did Angie.
“He is at the car park heading back to work he just dropped me”. Nicole started
seething “how come he is not with you here?” I had to pull Nicole out of the
conversation and bid farewell to the friend, Purity.
I
explained to Nicole that I should not be used as an SI unit of how men should
treat their women as it was between two people, she was just an intruder, that
meant that she was inciting Purity which was not good.
She
obliged and we left. Since I had not returned the filled forms we walked hand
in hand to the admin unit, Angie on my left hand and Nicole on my right.
“Are
they your wives?” a young lady asked at the office “yes of course, is there a
problem” I enquired further. She answered there was nothing wrong and wished me
a good day.
I
noticed the shock on her face.
I
noticed eyes were on us, it is as if I was singing Tupac’s all eyes on me.
I
believe it is because of the women on my sides.
So
far I can’t complain.
I
did my part in making sure my women were ok. Angie said that by 40 we shall
take you for prostrate check up. I flinched, Nicole concurred.
We
were all happy it ended well though the ball was in my court.
This
month could not have ended without me documenting how it went down with my two
ladies.