two weeks ago i began to experience some pain in my left breast. It was severe enough for me to take the time to do a self examination of my breast. I felt something. Wasn't quite sure what it was, and i mentioned it to by boyfriend, who insisted i have that checked out. I promised i would, but wasn't all that concerned, however i had not had a mammogram in over 5 years. I hadn't really been to a doctor for anything except my migraines. I found a doctor, however being new to the area they could not get me in right away and scheduled an appt for a little over 2 weeks out. When i arrived at work that Monday, i spoke with one of the docs that work in our clinic, and asked her for her opinion. after a few questions she said i should be concerned and she gave an order for a mammogram, told me to okay it with my doctor, which i promptly did, and called to schedule a mammogram at Central Oregon radiology in Bend. They scheduled me for that Friday. Friday comes around and i arrive at my appt only to have them tell me there is insurance issues. Since the doc who ordered the test was a VA doc, and i am not a VA patient, they were afraid the bill wouldn't be covered. I called my doctors office, but the doc was out and the nurse would not give the okay since i was a brand new patient who had never been seen by her. She was nice enough to schedule another appt for the following tuesday. devastated i left, and went through the weekend waiting and wondering. Tuesday came around and i saw the doc, who immediately gate an order for a diagnostic mam. However, i was not able to get an appt until the next day. Again, more torturous waiting. The next day rolls around, and my visit turned into a nightmare. The tech spotted calcification in both breasts. More pictures were ordered which showed the right breast calcification's as nothing to be concerned about, however the left breast calcification's proved to be of somewhat of an issue. An ultrasound was ordered which discovered two cysts. one in the right breast the size of a lima bean. no concerns however, and one in the left breast, which is what brought me into this whole dilemma in the first place. This cyst is the size of a walnut, however, it is also of no concern to the radiologist. What IS concerning is the calcification's in the left breast. They did not lay out with gravity, they way non cancerous nodules will. I was immediately scheduled for a biopsy of the left breast. However, they could not get me in until Friday. That was yesterday. I was a nervous wreck all morning, but was able to focus on my job, surprisingly. It just so happened that i would be triaging for several difficult problems, but this was good, it helped the time to fly by. I was still a nervous wreck. 1:00 rolls around and i am leaving. I have a wonderful team of people that i work with. everyone is concerned, and supportive and many are praying. Now i am at the radiologist clinic and they explain the whole procedure, which by the way did NOT end my panic. It really made it worse. So this is how the procedure went: i am called from the waiting room and asked to step into a little room to put on the little top gown they provide. im asked to put all my belongings into a basket, and remove my earrings. so far so good. easy enough. The health tech takes me back to the room where i will have the biopsy done. It's an intimidating room and COLD as hell! im told to sign some papers and the procedure is explained in full detail. The doctor performing the procedure came in to introduce herself, a very beautiful tanned woman with my name. I'm not at ease with this. she is all dolled up and groomed too nicely to take her seriously. OH well, this is what im stuck with. I did not feel comfortable with any of the staff i was introduced to that day. They either seemed plastic, or distant. where was the warmness of these people? fine!, lets get this over with!! I am told to lay on a table draped with hospital garb, i feel like i stepped into an operating room. I suppose i have. I am feeling especially anxious at this point and i am told to climb a set of steps to lay onto the table with a hole positioned at just the right spot for having your boobs fall through. i am told i will be on this table in the same position for about an hour, and depending on whether they are able to get enough samples or not, i may be on their longer. I am told to find as comfortable a position as i can and stick with that position. They really didnt give me much of a choice there as im have been commanded to stay on my stomach with my left arm down and my right arm up and my face towards the wall. So i get as comfortable as a person can on an ice cold metal table. The one thing they did that was of any comfort was drape me with a warm blanket. I asked for two. lol, thats what i do. I'm always cold. What i left out was the tech telling me that i will recieve a series of injections to numb up my boobs and they will feel like bee stings. holy crap!! bee stings??!!! i hate bee stings. thats like one of the worst pains a person can experience. Then she explains that an incision will be made to the left of my nipple area and a probe will be introduced deep into the breast tissue. did she have to mention deep???!! oh god!! at which point a camera will be entered into the probe. pictures will be taken and then another probe introduced to cut out the tissue samples which contain the calcifications. And she of course also had to mention the size and how many. four pieces about 1.5 inches long each, with the diameter of a piece of thick spaghetti. my bones are feeling weak at this point, and i am shaking uncontrollably. I dont understand why my body reacts like this. I was as calm as i could get, but was still trembling. after the doc is done the tech puts my boob in a vice grip for 15 minutes to stop the bleeding and then im stitched up and bandaged. Procedures done. I try to get my rickety body up from the God forsaken position its been in for an hour, and step down the stair case. Another mammogram is taken and I'm given post op instructions and i get dressed. I am then told that i will get results over the phone on tuesday. maybe monday, but most likely tuesday. So i am waiting. Now you know what i know.
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