Bosom Buddies

Jen is looking forward towards her participation in the Avon 3-Day Walk for breast cancer research. Friday I drove to Anchorage for my umpteenth mammogram. I took a friend with me - she and I were "bosom buddies". It has been ten years since she has had one and going together made both of us feel better, I think.

Hers was a simple bilateral mammogram. Mine proved to be a bit more complicated, with multiple slides of the right breast - and then an ultrasound of the right breast. (the left breast just had the normal two slides done.)

There are lots of changes going on at Providence Hospital - lots of hammering and yelling of workmen while we were there. Imagine a group of women sitting around a small, nicely decorated, waiting room, each draped in a short cloth cape, bare from the waist up underneath, struggling to hold everything together (mind, cape, psyche) against any breath of air or workman's eyes. It was a cause for nervous chatter and giggles. The staff were all quite considerate of us - assuring us that we were okay and that the workmen were on the other side of the wall - assurances, even though not necessary on my part, that they ( the workmen) would not be popping their heads into an exam room unexpectedly.

Well, I think that Marn sums up the feelings we all go through quite well. She, by the way, is still waiting for her results (Canada must take a bit longer than we do here - I should have my results by next Friday at the latest.) so give a kind thought for her if you would.

In the meantime . . .

I've been checking out the changes on the .Susan G. Komen Foundation's website. Wow! They have a lot of interactive stuff there now. There are all kinds of interesting links on their main page. Why not check them out?

If you are unsure of how to do your monthly breast self exam be sure to check out the Online Breast Exam. Even if you have been doing your self exams for years, it wouldn't hurt to look at this.

Another presentation is the Anatomy of Breast Cancer. This not only goes through what breast cancer IS, but how it works, what it does to your body, what treatments are available, and other such information.

Very interesting stuff here. I don't think we can ever get TOO MUCH information.

My friend and I had a great time together. She was more comfortable knowing that I was there praying for her. The staff at that hospital (her previous mam had been done at a different place) are so professional and kind and empathetic. They are as gentle as they can be - in a no-nonsense manner - and get things accomplished in a quick and effecient manner.

And, I benefitted from her presence as well. As I told the tech when she left to check the films before doing the rest of them - it's all going to be just fine. My friend is in the other room praying for me, just as I am for her. The tech looked up and said - that's a great outlook. Some don't have that kind of faith.

Just about any situation can be made lighter with laughter. And, so I laughed, and laugh still. It's all going to be just fine - no matter WHAT they find - or don't find.

Well, my friends. You have a wonderful weekend. I am going to go out and saddle up the Virago and head off to Seward for a Snarfari. ;-)

Posted by Purplemoose at July 10, 2004 09:43 AM