Literally. When you hit the landmark age of turning 40, one of your new to-do's as a woman is to get a mammogram. If nothing else, for peace of mind, I set my appointment for this Friday.
Here's how I envision the visit going. But first I have to provide a little physical description of myself. I promise, it won't be more than you can bear. I'm short. 4 foot 11 and 3/4 to be exact. Short enough that I'll likely have to stand on some sort of stool. And I'm not the most endowed specimen in the mammary area. I don't think of these traits as physical defects, they are what they are....me.
Technician: "Ms. Cooper, can you please get as close to the machine as you physically can. You might feel a little squeeze as we try to make sure we get as much of you in the Xray as possible. I apologize in advance if you feel some mild discomfort.
Umm, do you think you could get closer? Closer...closer...I'm sorry Ms. Cooper, I seem to be having difficulty getting enough of you in for a sample picture. Perhaps if you could just bend forward a bit more."
How the hell am I supposed to keep a straight face during this exchange? I think the mild discomfort will come more from knowing it's going to be a pulling taffy type experience to get a good mammogram from me. But you know what, in a little offbeat sort of way, I'm looking forward to the appointment, mild discomfort and all. It reminds me that I'm actually doing something to take care of myself, something I don't do enough of anyway.
If you've already gone through this experience, let me know what to truly expect.
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Ok first, you won't need a stool the machine is one size fits all and for us big girls try having the technician pick your boob up like a hunk of meat and placing it on the slab! Be proud of what you have, most of us big girls that could share (with several people) would love to have a little bit of your so called problem! Thank goodness that you are taking care of yourself. Every woman should put their health first. Just think, if we didn't how would things get done at home! As I tell all my girlfriends, there will always be a little bit of pain associated with BEAUTY!
ReplyDeleteI have never had one done. I'm 41. I'm so scared to go! Cancer run's in my family too! My aunt had breast cancer a couple of years ago, she's a survivor! I know I need to do it but it scares me to death.
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