the 4th in 12 months

My day started out in a smashing way - with a mammogram. It was my 4th test in 12 months. About this time last year I went in for my first ever mammogram. There was a "spot" on the picture. I had the call from the hospital that I should call them right away. Talk about a sick feeling in your gut. I got the message when I got home at night, so I couldn't call them until the morning. I was so worried that I cried. I only told MT about it; I couldn't bear to call my parents and I didn't know anything anyway. I called the hospital from my office in the morning as soon as they were open. They scheduled me for a follow-up early the next week. What a terrible weekend. I cried and worried a lot. MT was so sweet. I think he said the nicest thing he ever said to me that weekend. He said, "I don't know what I'd do without you. We'll get through this, whatever it takes because I can't imagine living without you."

I had to wait a day or so before my next screening. One of the guys I work with (a boss) noticed that I was feeling really down and kept asking me if I was ok. I told him I'd let him know without going into any details. Finally, it was time to go back in. The second test was a lot more involved. There was a lot more pulling and twisting and stretching and smashing. After a bunch of tests, the technician took the film to the radiologist, came back to take more pictures, went back to the radiologist then told me the doctor thought it looked like lymph nodes, but nothing else. She told me I'd have to go back in 6 months so they could take more pictures to see if the spot had changed. I did call my mom after the second test. She was a little aggravated I hadn't told her before, but I just couldn't. I just didn't want to tell anyone. It's probably wrong, but you just don't know how you'll react when you hear those words.

My 6 month test was in May. Today was my second 6 month follow-up. I'm very happy to report that the spot hasn't changed in a year and I've been given the all-clear to go on the regular 12 month schedule.

So that's my mammogram story. It's no fun to have them, but you need to. The ladies at the Women's Center are very good and I got a lovely pink candle for participating today.