From Hidden Brain Media, I'm Shankar Vedantam. This is my unsung hero, stories where one person reached

out to help another in a time of need.

My unsung hero is my therapist.

They said it's okay.

I still love you. You're still my best friend. So if she hears this I just want to say thank you.

Today's story comes from Aya McMillan.

In March of 2017, comes from Aya Macmillan.

In March of 2017, just after turning 39,

I was told I had breast cancer.

The news capped off a series of recent losses in my life. My dog died just weeks before and I was still reeling from the end of what was a 10-year relationship.

Following the diagnosis, there were endless tests and scans, most of which I attended on my own.

Thinking back on it now, I have to say that that was probably

the loneliest period of my life.

My final appointment before surgery

was an MRI-led double biopsy.

And for those that don't know,

it essentially forces you to lie face down

into what feels like a very loud coffin and you're asked to stay

totally still as two horrifyingly large needles are injected from each side in tandem.

So by the second hour I was really not handling things very well.

My head was hurting from the cradle, my body was cold and cramping,

and through the speaker the technicians were pleading with me to stay still just a few

...