A Year and A Day

Yesterday was a year and a day since my last mammogram. As I walked up to the women's health center at the outpatient facility at Loyola Medical Center, it felt like deja`vu. The same woman was sitting at the reception area and checked me in; the same couches were all lined up along the eastern and western walls of the hallway and even the same bulletin board was still there, arranged the same way, with the same colored balloons, displaying information and handouts about breast cancer. One of the differences is that Frendell did not come up with me this time. The biggest difference is that this year my life had been turned around. I was shown to the same locker room, changed into a hospital gown and waited. This year, the waiting area was full... no vacant chair at all; in fact I sat in my dressing room. Last year, there were alot of empty chairs when I was waiting. The anxious looks on the women's faces surrounding me were the same as last year. I looked around and wondered how many of us had been diagnosed and how many will still be diagnosed. Even the way I answered the questions this year was different.

Family history of breast cancer? last year: No. This year: Yes - me.

Do you have or have you been diagnosed with breast cancer? last year: No. This year: Yes. Two different kinds.

And so the questions went on.

Things have changed for me. The technician who did my mammogram was very nice and accommodating. I told her that I was still having quite a bit of pain on my right side and on my stomach, so stretching in different positions is not always easy. She was very gentle with me and tried to take the pictures as fast as she could. I told her that I am a little concerned because I have had itching since July and my oncologist wants to make sure everything is alright. She said she couldn't blame me for worrying. I told her that I hold on to the same philosophy I had last year when I came for my diagnostic mammogram: "It is better to know what I have so I will know how to deal with it".

I didn't have to wait too long for the results. So far, it's normal; they can't see anything wrong. I have been advised to talk to my oncologist about the itching and stinging sensations I am experiencing, almost on a daily basis. Dr. Robinson may recommend further testing if she determines it's needed.

A year and a day... so many things on the outside may look the same and yet I know that for me, a year ago was the beginning of my life turning upside down.