Mani & Mammy…all in one day!

Wednesdays are one of my days off each week and that means it’s usually packed full with errands and doctor appointments. Today was different.

I enjoyed my Christmas manicure early today and later, I got my annual mammogram. Although I can’t say I enjoyed, I’m glad it is behind me for the next year.

Now, I normally don’t share this information but damn…they can put a man in space, they can fight wars with drones, and you can buy a trip to space. Why in the hell can’t they find another way to check for breast cancer?

From the minute you step into the small changing room, you can hear the whirring of the machines in the other rooms. I let the anticipation get to me and I began to think about everyone I knew with breast cancer, the angels and the survivors. I tried to get the thoughts out of my mind but I felt overwhelmed with these women I know and have known.

These women are the reason I put the purple cape, the looks like a “wrap” and go through this uncomfortable test every year.

Then, the door opened and the smiling technician led me to that room where the whirring noises had been coming from.  As I stood there with my jeans and purple cape, opened in the front, Ali told me that she was going to start with my left breast.

She placed my “girl” on the cold tray of this machine, manipulated it just right, then stepped on the foot pedal that brought the plastic smasher down, down, and down…as far as it could go without totally touching the cold tray my boob was smashed on. Ali took her space behind the desk and said, “Deep breath and hold…hold…hold…release.” She continued…”small breath….hold, hold, hold, breathe.”

Once she made sure it was okay, she came and manipulated my girl again, to get another view. The process continued. Then, it was time for the right breast.

Now, as I am standing there, she took the cape off of one side, and when she went to the other side, I just dropped the cape completely. Afterall, she had been squeezing the girls, what was I trying to hide?

It’s comical to try to be modest in that room. However, I do appreciate the courtesy of providing the illusion.

I wish it wasn’t as painful but the pain does pass quickly…once that smasher is lifted from the tray. In addition, the results now come much more quickly than they used to. It will be nice to have the results quickly so my mind doesn’t have to wander.

From the minute I walked in until the minute I left, it was 30 minutes…shorter than my shellac manicure. That’s all it takes. That 30-minute test will give me results that will hopefully be good and give me the reply of “see you next year!”

While I was in the changing room, there were two things on the wall. One of them was a poster with a pink woman, with all kinds of words written on her body. Words like warrior, faith, fight, etc…were written on her legs and arms. I was looking at that as a distraction. Behind me, in that same room was a hospital sign on pink paper that reminded guests/patients that their staff was there to help them prevent breast cancer and it also said to remember this and be kind to the staff. Wait…What? Be kind to the staff? This was crazy!

I couldn’t imagine anyone being ugly or rude to a staff member there. So, I asked the technician when I was changing into my own shirt again, if she had encountered rude people. Her reply, “You wouldn’t believe it.” I was shocked. No one is forced to get a mammogram. You go there on your own. Sadly, with the staff shortages, when someone is running late or there is a shortage of employees running the machines, people do not like it. No one wants to wait.

Ali then reminded me that every place struggles with employee shortages, not just hospitals. I just find it appalling and I hope people remember that the person you are connecting with is probably not responsible for that delay. Frankly, it’s not going to change anything either.

So as we enter the last week of the holiday season, let’s be reminded that for the most part, people are working hard to serve us. Finish up that shopping and get home.

Next Wednesday I’ll be in Pittsburgh celebrating Christmas with Katie’s family so not sure that there will be a blog post. Because of that, I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.

2023…a new year and I’m ready!! Xoxoxox