"So, mom...."
"Do you have cancer?" my son asks as he struts across the gymnasium floor and slips his arms around my waist.
"Have you been worried about this all day?" I asked incredulously.
***
The kids have figured out how to play the messages on our answering machine. Not that it was very hard but now they do it every evening when we enter the house. They heard a strange woman reminding me of my appointment the following day.
"What appointment" each boy asked, multiple times.
"An appointment" I would say, each time.
"No!" one of them insisted. "We want to KNOW!"
So I then explained to them that I was now at the age where women get a regular "test" called a mammogram. I explained how it was done, how I had heard it could hurt, but that it would help make sure that if I had cancer it would be found early and I could get treatment to help me get better.
After I finished my lengthy explanation, one guy walked out of the room. He said over his shoulder "I hope you don't have cancer."
I received my letter with the lovely line "we are pleased to inform you that the result of your mammogram is normal." So all clear for this year. I hope if you are of the age to have a mammogram that you get one every year. If you are younger but know women 39 years old or older, please talk to them about the importance of mammograms.
Sure they are uncomfortable but only for a brief time. And I'll take a little discomfort if if means more time being alive.
14 comments:
I thought it was 40 so I haven't started yet. But I can definitely attest to their effectiveness as I have my mom's life as proof of that!
My mom just had her yearly squish and told me that her results were fine too.
Glad to hear all these "girls" are doing well.
Thanks for the reminder...gotta make an appointment:)
I'm not to that age yet, but you'd better believe I'll be making my appointment when the time comes. The number of times I yelled at my mom to "Make that appointment!" sort of mean I have to. :)
Glad everything's fine with you..
this is very important indeed.
How moving that your son had been worried all day! :)
You just motivated me to make an overdue appointment with the gyno for both me and my 17 year old daughter. Thanks!
How great that you have that talk with your kids. I have a sister with breast cancer and so have annual mamograms. I talked at length to my daughter about their importance. It can be painful but it is only a few minutes and done. I too was scared at my first one.
Glad you were Normal!
They are uncomfortable, but so very useful. And necessary. I too, am glad you are just fine.
Very important post. And congrats on being "normal". ;-)
I am 36 and my doctor recommended I get one now. Still have to make that appointment...thanks for the reminder!
I too am glad you do not have cancer.
Glad the results were normal. My doctor wants me to get one at 35 for a baseline. I like the idea that a lot of women have of scheduling it on my birthday; provided it's not the weekend of course.
good for you!
I have actually had several already, even though I am "only" 37. I had a breast reduction so they had to do a thorough before and after record.
It hurts like a mofo!
Going for my "squish"this Friday. Not looking forward to it, but it is a "necessary evil"!
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