Thursday, February 19, 2009

Can't I Just Have a Sticker?

I stressed myself out. I’m actually really, really gifted in that area. No one, and I mean no one, can build a bigger mountain out of a mole hill than I can. Trust me. Besides the anxiety riddled stomach issues that usually accompany such thoughts, I can usually work up a good cry to top it all off. It’s life in the fast lane with idiot girl speeding down life’s highway at incredible speeds.

They’ll be no pit stops on this journey.

I had my first mammogram today. Yeah, I know, I know, I know, I’m forty-one, shoulda had it done last year. Talk to the hand people, talk to the hand.

Regardless, it’s done. I made the appointment on Monday and had three days to worry over it. I usually build the foundation of the mole hill to mountain by laying a good old fashioned layer of prickling fear. It’s cancer. I know it.

I then carefully arrange a thick coating of pity party. Why isn’t anyone else worried about this? Shouldn’t everyone be nice to me. I’ve got cancer for pity’s sake!.

A nice layer of scared is most carefully applied. It gives my mountain an ominous look and adds weight to its bulk. Man! I’m such an idiot girl! What if I do something wrong? What if it’s a man taking the picture…eeeewww! Don’t touch me!

Finally the pinnacle on my mountain of fret is the apprehension of the actual event or procedure. Mammograms hurt you know. You’ve heard the jokes, read the articles, and seen the bruises. It’s going to hurt and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Thus I arrived at the imaging center, mountain in tow, resigned to my dreadful fate.

Only…It wasn’t painful. It wasn’t scary. There wasn’t a man in sight and the young (what was she? Twelve?) woman who took the mammogram was really sweet.

A lot of things have changed in the world of body imaging and I’m really proud of the fact that I didn’t cry. Course, I didn’t have time, the entire thing took about five minutes.

I’ll admit that I held my breath (just a little) when she told me I’d either receive a package (complete with letter of explanation and cd-rom) if there were no problems OR my doctor would be in touch by next week.

If there are no problems…

First a layer of prickling fear…

But wait, a cd-rom? I get to see it? What then? Do I put it in the photo album and pass it along to future generations?

“Grandma, what’s this here?”

“Why, sweetheart, that’s a photo image of your granny’s squashed boob.”


Do I show it to the neighbors when they come over for dinner and a movie?

”And here you’ll see a slight abnormality. We’re not sure, but we think it might be Al Capone.”

As neighbor pulls on her coat, “Oh my! Would you look at the time?”


Do I post it on my blog?

Too much information! Too much information!

A cd-rom of my mammogram. What will they think of next? Can’t I just have a sticker or maybe a piece of chocolate?

9 comments:

TexasRed said...

Wow -- Never heard of the CD-Rom souvenir. Here's hoping the time to and "all clear" report flies by.

Kristen said...

Your writing is so entertaining.

Are you sure the CD-ROM isn't just one containing informative propaganda about mammograms? Did she specifically state it would contain your personal images?

That's weird.

Ice Cream said...

Oooo, I want to see it on your blog. But I'm just curious like that.

=)

Sandcastle Momma said...

Ok, you've just got to post that on your blog! LOL
I wonder who's idea it was to start giving out CDs? Very bizzare and I agree that a sticker sounds like a better parting gift LOL

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

haha! Your post and the comments everyone has - too funny. The dentist used to always give us pencils as kids. I'd go for that. Or chocolate like you said!
Katie

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Annie -

I know it was traumatic; been there, done that, etc. But I gotta say the line about passing the CD to future generations had me rolling!

BTW, I'd opt for the chocolate. Preferably, Lindt extra dark.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Barrie said...

I think the chocolate is a good idea! Good for you, getting it done!

Anonymous said...

ROFL - this was great! I have a CD rom of my rotten colon - how precious is that?

ROFL - I think I will show it to the Petersons tonight when they bring our meal . . . They may run.

OH I know how about the next time I am in your neck of the woods we have a CD-Rom party with our images of our insides . . hehe - naughty me.

Love you.

Kat

TJ Brown said...

Yopu can bring it to coffee next time we meet and you can show it to me on my laptop. I'm sure the baristas need a good laugh.

Had SO MUCH FUN yesterday!