Doctor ... part 3

Part of all of these doctor appointments included a mammogram.  My first.  Despite being in my mid 40's.  I have heard it is easier for large breasted women - like me.  I can see why that is now that I have been through it.  But small or large, it really isn't much fun to squished and squeezed.  From all angles.

I had my mammogram just one hour after all those ultrasounds I mentioned in a previous post.  By the end of the day I felt a little battered and bruised.  But then it was done.

And then a week later, as I sat in the exam room with Ladybug waiting to talk with her doctor, my phone rang.  Normally I wouldn't answer it in the doctor's office but I was expecting a call from my doctor about the thyroid med problem.  So I answered.  But it wasn't the doctor.  It was the hospital.

Nurse:  The doctor would like you to come back in for a follow-up mammogram.
Me: Oh.
Nurse: Your first one showed some abnormalities and she wants to see different images.
Me: Ok.
Nurse:  It is important that you know that 85% of these turn out to be nothing.  We just want to make sure it is nothing on you.
Me: Ok.

Trying not to react.  With child in the room.  But FREAKING out!  What is I have a problem?  What if I am sick?  And I have to wait a week for the next appointment!

So today was the follow-up mammogram.  They showed me my pictures.  Kind of strange to see my tatas up on the screen.  My left breast had a spot they were concerned with.  My right breast had two spots they were concerned about.  So they squeezed and squished.  But to be clear -- they did it more this time.  Then they rushed the new images to doctor to look at before I was allowed to get dressed.

I waited with an elderly volunteer.  She wasn't there for the first mammogram.  Is this someone they offer when things are tense?  When there is a possibility of bad news?  Do I need to hear about how her son kept getting fired from job while I am naked from the waist up and waiting to hear news about my boobs?

And then the news came.  The left breast is fine.  But there is still some concern about your right breast.  What does that mean?  They need more information.  So, grab your things (don't get dressed) and walk down the hall (in a johnny) to an ultrasound room.

Two very nice ladies do the sonogram.  With it up on the wall so I can see.  The inside of a boob -- on an ultrasound -- kind of looks like the ocean in a storm.  They took some pictures and rushed off to the doctor again.

Finally the doctor came in -- my first meeting with her.  She THINKS everything looks find.  She is not concerned at this time.  But I have to go back in 6 months for a recheck.  I am fine.  For another 6 months.

Mean Mama