Flash Frozen Fiction for Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Medical Narrative
(Yes, I did just make that up.)
100 words
A Frozen Section
“Did you study the video I forwarded to you? It’s all in the wrist,” my friend the oncologist joked, as I angled the biopsy needle into my traitorous breast.
“I know how to do a biopsy!”
“I remember you sucked at biopsies in med school. You should have had a mammogram before you left for Antarctica.”
“You know, it was on my list of things to do before I left; pack warm clothes and get a mammogram,” I fired back.
“All in the wrist,” I repeated as the needle hit the gritty mass taking away all doubt. It was cancer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My flash frozen fiction inspiration comes from my friend Doug’s photo prompt and from Jerri Nielsen, MD who bravely biopsied and diagnosed her own breast cancer in 1998 while trapped at Amundson-Scott South Pole Station during the endless southern winter.
I suppose I could biopsy my own breast if I had to, but with today’s fiction I imagine it being much easier with my best medical school friend online to steady my hand. A frozen section is the term used by surgeons for a type of biopsy that is done quickly inter-operatively to diagnose cancer.
Be well and get your mammogram done before embarking on an extended expedition.
You can see more Flash Fiction here.
What's for dinner, Doc? 
A good message combined with a lesson in history and medicine- all in 100 words. Great job in creating a new genre!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a rebel like that. Of course if you create your own genre then you’re never wrong.
Glad to hear from you and thanks for liking my recipes too.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like this one. Well paced conversation with a painful kicker. See you next week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Paul. I’ve been working on dialog. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for me.
Tracey
LikeLike
Well, of course, there’s no way that I could tell you honestly that I LIKE this story — much to unhappy an ending. But I can tell you that you did a great job on the presentation of it. The dialogue was a perfect way to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need more buttons “I appreciate the story but don’t like the subject matter” or “I read it but I hate it” or “A for effort” or “Ugh,so sad or creepy or not another murder”. Ha ha
Thanks for stopping by Sandra.
LikeLike
This is great Tracey, especially as it’s inspired by a kick-ass woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Louise. I was amazed by her bravery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Realised I ungritted (not a word?) my teeth when I came to the end of this…and it’s true! Wow! Another unique take indeed.
I am reminded of a few things (in a good way) – Fanny Burney (real) who had a breast removed and wrote about it in 17something and the film Master and Commander (fiction) where the doctor can only trust himself to remove a bullet from himself – he lets some amateur hold the mirror. You doctors..
Now about that mammogram.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read about a Russian doctor who had to take out his own appendix! That’s wild but if you have a will to live and there’s no one else then I guess you just go for it. Don’t try this at home.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
the dialog seems fine to me. well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I’ll keep practicing.
Tracey
LikeLike
Hi Tracey, you and I were thinking alike for sure. The sad outcome is she did pass on, unfortunately. But I do like your call to arms … to get checked before an expedition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story with a good message. Yup, it’s time for a mammogram….
LikeLike
I had to pop over here after reading Gardenlilie to see how this story began. I am shuddering at the thought of this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you did because I loved her POV.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine performing a biopsy on myself. I can barely put a band aid on. That would be such a dilemma to have cancer in a place like this. My mammogram is due, Tracey! Great tale. Nice job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not really very brave either. I thought I could give myself an injection for a vaccine but nope, couldn’t do it.
Ha ha
Tracey
LikeLike
Always a worry – developing something when you’re miles from anywhere, and the longer it is since you set out, the longer it is until you can get it seen to. I can identify with this piece. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It did cross my mind that your travels might keep you away from good medical care so stay up to date for sure. Or you could take me along in case you need surgery on the water.
😉
Take care,
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t even imagine having to biopsy myself – and a terrible outcome. Well written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She also gave herself chemotherapy from an air dropped package. It was too cold to land the Navy plane so they dropped it and flew off. She lived another 10 years because of her bravery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great way to tell the story.. I had not heard about it before, but really something that would challenge anyone, but without a doctor’s doctor there are no other options.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We never really know what we are capable of doing are we?
Thanks,
Tracey
LikeLike
Dear Tracey,
Every week you bring something fresh to the table. 😉 If I can make up a nonstory genre you can make up an historical medical narrative. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m grateful for the reply. I know that you are so busy with the book launch.
Here’s to the Non-Story Genre!
Cheers,
Tracey
LikeLike
I hope your friend survived. She was certainly a tough gal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The doctor died 10 years later from a recurrence of her breast cancer, but she left a legacy of bravery and “can do” spirit that anyone can admire.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
It all seems a bit bleak Tracey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Performing a biopsy on oneself… just the idea makes me shiver. Great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on California Muse and commented:
Great post Tracey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nancy. Are you sure your sexy fan base wants to read my often bleak medical narrative? I’ll have to write something sexy just for your blog.
“The pirate queen untied her laces, tipped back her rum and …..”
More fun than cancer, me thinks.
See you soon,
Tracey
LikeLike
Dear Tracey,
I recognized the circumstances right away and applaud your story for accuracy, drama, and its ‘dispatches from the end of the world’ feel. The best part for me was in the afterward where you called me your friend. Thank you.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doug,
Thank you for the photo prompt. It seems from the other stories this week that I’m not the only Fictioneer who calls you friend. Several wanted to come visit you on the Big Island despite having to miss the beach. Sandra thought you would be a good retirement home pal even if she did threaten to flush your dentures. And everyone, including me, savors your stories and your treasured comments.
Thank you for the inspiration,
Tracey
LikeLike
Wow… I read and understood and then had to read again as the imagery sunk in. Jerry Nielsen, what an amazing woman. I think I may call on you when I go travelling… well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dee,
I think I’ll hire myself out to travel as the in house doctor for any friends going to exotic locations. I can cook delicious healthy meals too! Ha ha
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Tracy,
I know women here in the south who ask you to, “Hold my beer” while performing their own biopsy. I chickened-out when it came to performing my own vasectomy. It wasn’t the cutting part that scared me–it was the use of clamps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d need bourbon to biopsy myself and maybe you shouldn’t read Shades of Grey Hair, the middle aged male version.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t know, Silver is the new Blonde?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, not a good diagnosis especially when she is in Antartica and probably not much in the way of medical attention. Excellent story! I enjoyed it as I do all of your stories. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joy,
Every week I fret about what to write and truthfully Doug’s photo was a challenge for me. Please keep reading and writing.
Be well,
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting snippet about Jerri Nielsen, Tracey, and your own story is so well told. The dialogue between you and your oncologist friend really brings the story to life. Very well done! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Millie. Your comments mean the world to me.
Be well,
Tracey
LikeLike
You’ve captured the tension, and the dialogue brings it all to life powerfully. I’m interested that you’re challenging yourself to use more dialogue. It works really well in this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My education was not in writing so I am learning and it turns out that dialogue or dialog is a fun way to convey a point.
Be well,
Tracey
LikeLike
Excellent take on the prompt, the dialog was spot on. What a brave lady she was.
LikeLike
Thanks Snow. I’m having a hard time getting through all the stories this week but I always look for yours.
Be well,
Tracey
LikeLike
Good story, Tracy. I hope that never becomes necessary for me. It’s quite doubtful. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person