Friday, June 17, 2011

Chronology - boring yet true

May 13, 2011 This will be billed diagnostic – not preventive. Guess that will cost me some extra money.

I go through the boob-squish. The normal fibroid issues in the left were either non-existent or didn’t rate this time. Of course, the ultra-sound followed the mammogram, and the Radiologist read it while I was there. Even the soothing spa-like room didn’t erase the concern that we felt. A biopsy is required and is scheduled for May 18 before I leave the room. They will call my physician.

Not just a little anxiety fills me in the interim between the mammogram and biopsy.

May 18, 2011  A punch biopsy is performed.
Honestly, I told the radiologist that it was easier and less pleasant than getting my teeth cleaned. Sorry Dr. B. 2 days until the pathology comes back. At some point in these series of events I talk with my physician who hasn’t seen me since my last issue – yes, that was a shoulder thing. I love Dr. P – he is so supportive, concerned and there. He’ll check for pathology results over the weekend if he doesn’t get the path back by the end of Friday. I confer with one of the female Medical Directors at work. She is informative and supportive.

More anxiety and fear. I don’t want to have to go through all of that nasty chemotherapy and radiation – yet there is so much more to live and do in this life. I guess I’ll do it if that’s what I have to do. Thank goodness I have health insurance.

May 20, 2011  Pathology results are back!
Radiologist leaves a message. Medical assistant leaves a message – no make that at least two messages. It’s B9 – any of you play Bingo? What a relief. I call the Medical Assistant at Dr. P’s office to confirm the news. She does add, “We are making a referral for you to a surgeon as you will need to have the tumor removed.” I’m there – let’s get this nasty thing out of me.

Truly, I feel as though it’s an alien who has invaded my body. Do you think I’ve been watching too many movies on Netflix? Could be. But it seems for me to be a great way to visualize that thing inside of me – that thing that doesn’t belong.

When I went in for my biopsy I also picked up digital records of prior mammograms and ultrasounds so I could be ready for whatever comes next. A friend and I viewed the villain on my laptop, but honestly, it was somewhat disappointing. Guess you have to know how to read images like that to really appreciate them. However, we begin planning for a “Coming out party” or a “Burn party” and we talk about art.

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