This Act made the list because it's what you do when you turn 40. Adding it was kind of a perfunctory no-brainer. So when I went for my annual physical in late April, my doctor approved, saying, "That's very good. Call this number and schedule your scan for July or August - after your birthday."
That was before my exam.
As I lay on the table, thinking Wow, this is the most action the girls have gotten in months, my doctor paused. She repeated the palpitation of the last place she checked. She made a slight Hmmm noise. She checked again.
"I would like to you to call that number and get in as soon as possible. If you have any trouble setting an appointment, call me. I will set it up for you."
What happened to July or August?
I sat up. "Is something wrong?"
"You have a small mass on the left side. It concerns me. No need to panic right now, but if you have any trouble scheduling an appointment, call me. I will set it up for you. Do you want me to make the appointment right now? I can."
I assured her that I would set an appointment THAT DAY, then tried not to FREAK THE EFF OUT as I got dressed.
As I went to the lab for the last of the tests, I tried to quiet my mind. There's no need to panic until there is something to panic about, I told myself over and over again. I made it back to the car and called to set up the appointment for a Mammogram.
The woman who handled the appointment was a little grumbly. "You need to schedule as soon as possible? Is that what she told you? Here? At Duke?" Apparently, my doctor checked the wrong box on the orders, but she eventually was able to pull up my chart. Her tone immediately changed.
"How about Tuesday? Can you do Tuesday?"
"Yes, ma'am. Can I do it at the Southpoint location? It's close to my house."
"No, ma'am," she said, firmly. "I'm going to need you to come to the Cancer Center. Just in case."
Wait. What?
I did my best to put all that out of my mind. After all, I have been pretty religious about doing my self exams and getting a yearly physical. And my doctor does tend to be a bit conservative when it comes to getting "things checked out." Nope. No need to panic.
On the day of my exam, I made the long trek from the parking deck at Duke Hospital through the maze of (thankfully well-marked corridors) to the Cancer Center. I didn't have to wait long before I was escorted back to the changing room and given a gown.
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| Why are there three arm holes? |
Finally, I was prepped and ready for action.
I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently everyone in the Mammography center was. Before my scan, I don't think I had to wait more than a minute or two before being escorted back. Very impressive patient care.
We went back to the scanning area, and I got to put on these really interesting little pasties - I guess to help <ahem> define the lay of the land. I also had to put a little sticker in the general area where my doctor found the lump. Once I had everyone decorated, it was time for my close up.
Turns out, the three armed gown is quite ingenious. It allows one side to be exposed for the scan while maintaining modesty on the other side. That and the lovely lead apron they wrapped around my waist made me feel oh so glamorous! I tried not to giggle while the tech positioned everything. I had to stand in a very particular position while first Lefy, then Righty was squished between a scanning platform and a clear, flat, very cold piece of plastic. It sounds worse than it was, and on the bright side: For once, the floppy titties I got from having birthed and nursed two children came in handy!
Because of my doctor's initial concerns, I had a normal scan and then went to the waiting room while the results were analyzed. (This was an added bonus, as most of the time, it's a 4-5 day wait to get results mailed to you.) I sat in the waiting room and watched the seconds tick by. No fewer than 4 people working in the unit stopped in to check the waiting room. Are you waiting for a second scan? Ok. Again, the patient care was really superb. The constant care definitely alleviated some of my anxiety, but while waiting not even O Magazine could hold my attention. The radiologist came to fetch me for one more set of magnified scans. I tried to be cool as we did the additional tests.
After the second round of tests, they let me put my clothes back on. I was instructed to remain in the waiting room until they could give me my final report. So, I waited. I read Coastal Living Magazine. And I waited. I read an old issue of Time. And I waited. I leafed through HGTV Magazine. And I waited. Finally, a nurse came to check the waiting room and saw me sitting there, looking forlorn. She took my name and went back into the unit. Less than 2 minutes later she came back, handed me a paper, and told me how to find my way out.
I clutched the paper in my hand as I beat it out of there. It was totally worth the wait.
Public Service Announcement: If you are female, and don't do a regular self breast exam, you should. It can save your life. Learn more here!
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