No. 02: The Mammogram That Was
Ok, so the Mammogram, which should have been in the fall, was postponed by me. I had decided with a hip replacement and numerous doctor visits, x-rays, MRIs, and thick books of instruction, it would not hurt to not get the mammogram for a few months.
The hip replacement went well. Within weeks, walking and golfing returned, and PT ended. It was time for the regular Well check-up. Blood taken, reports submitted. I dutifully sat in front of my provider. Weight down. Blood work looked great—not even pre-diabetic—blood work looked great!
But wait, where is the mammogram? "You have not had one for a year. Let us get one scheduled."
And so it began.
The morning started like any other. Shower, brush teeth, dry hair, and do not apply deodorant. The mammogram appointment was first thing in the morning, 7 AM, and deodorant was forbidden. No problem, will add it later.
Arriving 15 minutes before the allotted time, the registration area was empty, except for me and the team behind the desk. As I am of the Senior age, I got to answer all those wonderful Medicare questions... questions that are asked all the time. Did you know you cannot give a blanket response? They are required to say the entire script. More about that later.
The forms completed, a seat was taken to wait for the name to be called. As I watched, saying a silent prayer, it was not a long wait (another reason to be the first one—or near the earliest time available).
As we made our way down the hall, the tech started the dissertation... go into the room, remove everything from the waist up, and gown opened to the front. The tasks performed, I opened the door to the room.
The tech was ready. Step up to the bar! As she lifted, tugged, and pulled the breast onto the platter, we exchanged pleasantries. What can you talk about as they work around you? What's a great girl like you doing in a place like this? My go-to questions are how did you select this profession and do you come here often?
As she smiled and went behind the glass wall, she said, hold your breath. The machine made its round about my trapped organ. It then released, and I could stand back.
Time for round 2! As she moved the second mammary into place, she moved the machine a bit, hitting me in the face. "Oops, sorry. Didn't realize how close you were." No problem... just finishing what you are doing so we can end this torture.
Stepping behind the glass, the hum of the machine began and the command to hold your breath. Task complete.
"OK, you are done—the radiologist will read the scans, and if there is a problem, you will get a call within the next 24 hours. If nothing, you will get a letter in the mail—or you can check the portal. If you want to use the deodorant, there is an aerosol can in the dressing room for you." Obviously, breast cancer results pale in comparison to the aerosol can and our environment.
Within a few hours, a call came. "We found a problem, and we need to do another mammogram-sonogram—not sure which, I only heard they found a problem... you will get a call in the next 24 hours to schedule."
So at hour 20, I emailed my regular doctor as I had not received a call. No worries, the order had been put in... and it is strictly precautionary. Please do not worry.
Strictly precautionary. Please do not worry. Is that possible? I kept that information to myself. The call to schedule an appointment came; it was made next week.
I AM A Big girl. I can handle this.