My name was called and I was given a blue gown to change into in a cubicle that was in the waiting room. I was shown in into a bland non descript cubicle where I put the gown on having removed my top clothing. I stepped out of the cubicle into waiting area. I now know this is where the waiting room for people who are having investigations and routine mamograms like me and Titty were.
Mamogram
My name was called again and I was collected by a young lady in a white tunic. She took me in to the room where the mammogram happens. Where your boobs are squished flat into a machine. Think of putting your boob into an old fashioned mangle and someone turns the handle. That's not what the machine looks like but that's the position titty needs to be in.
I'd had a routine mamogram previously so knew what to expect. Each breast was checked. I was advised by the lady (a mamomgrapher?) that someone would now look over the images and I’d be called back in after they were checked. I returned to the waiting room and waited for quite a while.
Ultrasound
My name was called again and I was collected by the previous lady in White Tunic and I was shown into a room, where another lady was waiting to do me an ultrasound. Dressed in a White Doctor Coat, she was gentle and as I lay on my side and faced the machines and the Doctor, .she put gelly on Titty and scanned it. She then was clicking away around the image that had come up on screen. When finished, she gently said “I’m a little concerned about the lump”. She also said that she could see my armpit had raised lymph nodes. She went on to say I would need a biopsy both from Titty and the armpit and that it would be done during that visit. I put my gown back on and returned to the waiting room again.
Whilst Titty and I waited I Whatsapped my sister and mom to say I was still there. "Just waiting to have biopsy of lump and lymph nodes as defi a lump. Will get results a week today. Ring you when I have had it done.". Short and to the point. I didn't have much emotion. I was just like a robot being gently guided and handled by the incredible team that day at the Breast Clinic. I also messaged Val.
Consultant No 1 Mr Rogers
I was called in to see Mr Rogers who told me exactly what the Doctor doing the ultrasound has told me. He also examined me. He advised I would have the biopsy done today. He also advised that I would then have to wait a week for the results. I asked if I could bring someone with me to get the results and he said yes I could. He also asked if I had brought anyone with me today to which I replied I had assumed I couldn’t. I had a feeling that he would’ve said something had I taken someone with me. Maybe I was wrong, but it felt that way. He said I would receive a call the following Thursday to give me an appointment for the following Friday. He advised it would be a call from a private number. I returned to the waiting one last time and waited for the biopsy.
Biopsy
I returned to the ultrasound room to the White Tunic lady and White Doctor Coat lady. I removed my gown to my waist. I had an injection to numb where they were going to put the needle in. I didn’t even feel the needle to numb me going in. I was asked if I could feel this and I said "feel what"? The area was numb, and the needle inserted into my breast into the lump, which the Doctor could see on screen where she was injecting into. I could also see the lump on the screen. I've tried hard to think what the shape reminded me of but nothing comes to mind, so it was circular ish with arms coming out of each side!
Also a sample was taken from my lymph nodes under my arm pit. A small plaster was applied and me and Titty were free to go.
We returned to the car doing battle with the pay machine who didn't want to take card that day. I had a £5 note on me and some kind lady gave me some change.
I drove to Val's house and told her everything over a cup of tea. Val herself has as previously mentioned had breast cancer twice, and she is a good friend who listens and loves.
No comments:
Post a Comment