Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Oh Boy…It’s Squeeze Box Time

Today was one of those days when you know you’re doing the right thing even though it means suffering through a wee bit of pain. For a few years now, I’ve managed to avoid my annual mammogram. Yes…I know it was foolish and potentially life threatening but I just couldn’t seem to motivate myself to make that all important call for an appointment. Even my self-examinations were sporadic at best and the constant badgering of Hubby did nothing to prompt a phone call for an appointment. Mind you…all this hesitation had nothing to do with the pain experienced during a mammogram. I have an extremely high tolerance of pain and have never been bothered by the momentary discomfort of having breast tissue squeezed between two X-ray plates. So…why did I wait so long to schedule a mammogram? I just don’t know.

Anyway…not too long ago, my HMO sent me a letter reminding me that I was long overdue for a mammogram. Did that finally spur me to action…nope! Then they sent me a second letter. Did I respond…nope again. But then I read Empress Bee’s blog revealing her discovery of breast cancer and suddenly I realized how stupid I’ve been about this. So I finally went ahead and made my appointment. I did have to reschedule once (thanks to my 3 week virus) but finally today arrived and I picked myself up, drove on over to the Breast Center and let them do their thing with that very expensive squeeze box.

So now I wait for my results. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Empress Bee’s willingness to reveal her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. It was truly the motivating factor in my decision to finally get that long overdue mammogram. So thanks Empress Bee for your candor and encouragement to all women about the importance of annual mammograms. I owe you big time.

12 comments:

Renee Nefe said...

I'm about 10 months overdue myself. And the sad part was I said I would do it two months ago...and well here we are.

For me it's not so much the pain of the squishing of my breast...its the pain of my shoulders getting in the way of the machine...I just can't contort myself the right way to get breast in and me out of the squisher.

I'm sure this being October I'll get a reminder too.

ms chica said...

A letter lacks the poignancy of a warm body. Good for you, following through.

I'm glad you finally got over your virus, we missed you.

Anonymous said...

I've already scheduled mine for next month - right on time.

I may not eat the right foods or exercise enough, but I do get my mammograms faithfully.

Good for you getting yours done.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i am very proud of you for doing this!!! now let's hope all is fine!!!!

smiles, bee

Pam said...

I learned my lesson three months ago. I put off the mammogram for a couple of years and finally went in. I've never gotten called back but this time they called because they saw something suspicious. Thankfully, the something turned out to be nothing. I won't put it off again!
Good luck.

Patti said...

You go, girl! I just got my reminder letter last week. I go for mammograms in October.

Linda said...

I somehow missed last year's exam so need to make sure I get mine done this year. What makes it so much worse, though, is that I've got nothing to squeeze and if you ladies who have breasts think it hurts - try it when you have virtually none to speak of!

Still - I need to call and will try to remember to do so tomorrow!

rosemary said...

I had a scare last year and I had ignored those letters too. This year and from now on they will be done right on time. Good for you.

Lynn said...

I won't admit how long it's been since I've had a mammogram. I think that Jimmy Carter might have still be president (just kidding). I guess I'll call tomorrow and make an appointment.

Mom said...

Good for you for taking time to take of yourself. I must do that soon too.

meno said...

Okay okay, i'll call and schedule mine.

Val said...

I'm glad you finally got that done, and that you posted about it, thus continuing Empress Bee's god work and reminding others of the importance of getting that done. Me? Like clockwork every two years.