I debated about writing this post, giving away too much information, but then I thought that however things unfold, the post might help another woman. I am further inspired by all of the courage and candidness of my fellow blogger, Tammy, whose own journeys through cancer have helped many, I’m sure.
So here goes. Yesterday morning I had a routine mammogram. My doctor prefers screening annually after the age of 40. A couple of hours later, I received a call at home from the radiology department.
“Mrs. Romans, the radiologist wants to take another look at your left breast. We need to schedule another test as soon as possible.”
The caller could not tell me why I needed another test, only that she was ready to schedule it right away and that I should allow for one to two hours in the office. A regular mammogram takes about 20-30 minutes normally, from the time I check in until the time I am dressed and walking out of the door. One to two hours seems unusual. When I pressed further, I was advised to call my primary care doctor.
Of course I did that, leaving a message with the office, trying to find out what is going on with my breast. I didn’t get a call back, so I called again today.
A million things are going through my mind. Perhaps there was simply a problem with the image, despite the fact that I checked with the technician before I got dressed. Maybe the fact that they haven’t called me back yet means that it isn’t serious, or that it is. Who knows, but the waiting isn’t fun.
I wonder about all of the choices I might have to make if there is an issue. I jokingly told my husband that if something comes back positive, I’ll just get rid of the old ones and get a new custom-ordered set! I know it wouldn’t be that easy, but thinking of a glamorous new me is easier than thinking the words “breast cancer.”
Having been down the cancer road with others close to me, I’m more skittish than I might have otherwise been. Perhaps overreacting is a better term. But still, I want the information and I want it now. I want to know if my life is going to have to change any time soon. Of course, ultimately, I want to be able to tell all of you that it was a false alarm.
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