Women
Sitting and waiting
Wondering
Trying to be positive
Trying not to worry
Trying to keep fear at bay
The longer you wait the more you worry
A technician walks in the waiting room
And four people look up in anticipation
“We need more images on the right side.”
And she says “Oh, okay.”
And I think, “I hope she’s okay.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
A yearly mammogram and ultrasound is recommended for early detection of breast cancer.
I used to think that going every year exposed you to more radiation, so I set myself up for the two-year program.
My doctor did not approve. He sat with me three years ago and explained everything and did not leave until I agreed I would go for a yearly screening.
The very first time that I went for a “yearly” they saw something on the test they did not like.
IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE…LEAVE
The radiology place had changed hands and the new doctor opened the door and yelled at me, “We need to repeat the studies in 6 months. Do you have any questions?”
Of course I have questions, but I have no freaking idea what they are!
I hear myself sheepishly say, “No, thank you.” He slams the door and leaves.
I decide to change radiology places, and that is where I am right now. Waiting.
STRESS AND ANXIETY
I woke at 4am and couldn’t go back to sleep. I tried everything I knew not to think about today. I felt uneasy all morning. And sitting here now, I feel sick to my stomach.
I interrupt the story because the technician came in and asked for me. The doctor needs a few more films.
Ughhhh!!
“Okay.”
I don’t know what will happen a few minutes from now. But I do know that so many women sit here with these same feelings. And worse than that, many women don’t do screenings at all because of fear.
And in this moment, I wonder which fear is worse; the fear of not finding out at all…or the fear that I am going to find out. But I trust my doctor (and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve just binged the series Dr. DEATH!) and he convinced me that early detection is everything.
So, I sit and wait. And try not to throw up. Life is full of things, some big, some little, some good, some bad, and I have the faith and resilience to face it all!
After waiting for hours, and multiple trips for more films, and then an ultrasound with a trip in between to check the last one, they finally come in and tell me everything is okay. And I breathe a sigh of relief.
GET YOUR YEARLY BREAST CANCER SCREENING
This post goes out to all women who are afraid to get a yearly mammogram. The things we put off and don’t face are the things that have the biggest ability to affect our lives negatively. What may seem uncomfortable in the moment can become something so much larger, and way more uncomfortable.
Time is of the essence here. I urge you, in the same way my doctor sat with me until I agreed. This is not a case of what we don’t know won’t hurt us. It is quite the opposite.
Be strong. Be fearless. Get your yearly screening!
BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION
I NEED YOUR HELP! I WOULD LOVE TO BRAINSTORM HERE AND COME UP WITH IDEAS ON HOW THEY COULD MAKE THIS PROCESS MORE COMFORTABLE…
Is there something we can do to take away some of the fear and anxiety associated with the yearly screening process?
I’m not sure why it has to take so long, or why, when you are sitting in the waiting room, it has to feel like an impending doom.
Maybe we can come up with some ideas to make the entire process a little more comfortable.
If you have ANY IDEAS on what they could implement to ease the tension, to ease the worry, please leave your ideas in the comments below. I would love to start a conversation to change the way this process feels, because maybe more women would make the appointment for their yearly screening.
Hope the first couple of weeks of 2024 have been kind to you! Sending Sweet Blessings and wishes for a brilliant week ahead!!
Blessitude!
Lorrie <3
01/14/2024
OTHER LINKS YOU MIGHT ENJOY
HERE IS THE LINK TO A POST I wrote 10 years ago called TO SCREEN OR NOT TO SCREEN. I think I have strong feelings about this subject.
Wow!! I do believe that my 10th year anniversary of this blog is coming up in February!
T I M E F L I E S ! ! !
HERE IS A LINK TO BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATION for facts and statistics about breast cancer.
And HERE IS A LINK TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY about recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.
“The things we put off and don’t face are the things that have the biggest ability to affect our lives negatively. “. YES!!!!
I went yesterday for my screening. Always anxious until you hear back but so important.
Ways to ease the uncertainty/uncomfort …
First for me is doing something using my hands – for me art … that actively uses my mind as well. … then it’s a positive mindset, not easy always but important. And third would be deep breaths and meditation practices.
Oh, Liz! Thank you so much for adding your energy and thoughts here! Crazy timing! I sure hope you received good news!! I do think that when they started to read your scans and give you the results the same day, it was a huge improvement over waiting!
Yes, I could see that it would be important for you to use your hands…create. I, obviously, wrote this post while I was waiting…and that was really helpful.
Everything is so personal to the individual. And so much of it is self-directed. It’s important to be prepared and bring something to read/create – etc. And you make a great point about keeping a positive mindset/deep breaths/meditation.
But is there ANYTHING you can think of that the center can implement, or have on hand…?
I thought of a little lending library bookcase…in case you forgot to bring something.
I also thought (though don’t know if it’s feasible) maybe 2 puzzle tables. I really get lost in puzzles.
Anyway…thanks for sharing, Liz. <3
You captured the anxiety very well Lorrie …. Being in that same seat myself, I doubt nothing anyone at the time can ease those feelings women go through..
Especially as I also had a younger sister aged 36 at the time who underwent a mastectomy so I knew first hand the traumas…
Sending positive vibes to all who sit in those waiting seats Lorrie ,,,
Thank you for sharing Breast Cancer awareness Lorrie xxx <3 Love and HUGS my friend xx
Oh, Sue…sorry to hear about your sister…and sure hope you are fine.
It’s such a scary thought that every woman visits.
I get that everyone is different and would want different things…some would rather be left alone…others might want to be distracted with something.
It just weighed on my mind because I was just there and had the experience I wrote about.
Thanks, Sue. I’m happy you left your thoughts here and like I said…hope you are well 💜
Hi Lorrie, ooh that waiting is never easy, whether it’s this or some other huge life event/trauma. Just hours ago we heard from good friends overseas who we were supposed to meet up with in a fortnight. Their son had an accident and is in critical condition, with fluid on his brain, currently undergoing surgery. So I’m waiting, praying, sending out so many good thoughts because what more can I do? Sorry, off topic I know but the anxiety for his parents must be sky high, just waiting. And praying.
Good on you for raising awareness of early breast screening and the worries associated with it. Such an important topic. Sending lots of love and good wishes your way. And so glad your results were fine. 🙏❤️
Oh, Miriam! I am also sending good positive thoughts and white healing light!! I KNOW exactly what they are going through as my son went through the same a year and a half ago!! It is truly a parent’s worst nightmare!! I pray that they will have the best outcome…and I send a hug to you because it is such a helpless feeling to sit and witness…feel like you want to do something…and don’t know what it could be…other than exactly what you are doing!!! And that energy…and prayers…are so very important!!!
Thanks for your kind worss…yes…I am happy with my results but also know there are so many who didn’t get the same…and my heart goes out to them.
Sending a big hug…and lots of love and light!! 💜
I feel your beautiful energy and your light from here Lorrie. And yes, I remember your son had a similar event, was it really that long ago? Life is so very fragile and precious but you’re right, our prayers and love are so important. Thank you for adding yours my friend. I feel them. Hugs back. 💜
Sorry, Miriam…I’ve been in bed with the flu…UGH! But hope that things are improving for your friend’s son. And thank you for your beautiful soul…I know how hard it is to feel you want to do something to help but it doesn’t feel like there is anything you can do. But prayers and good energy definitely work!! And I am sending oodles of them!! <3
Thank you so much dear Lorrie. I just sent a prayer/poem to his family, it’s all I can do. And yes, they all count don’t they. I so appreciate you. And I send you lots healing hugs too. Hope you feel better soon. xx
Thanks, Miriam 🙂 They all count. Happy to be connected. Have a great weekend coming up!
P.S. I’ve been watching the AO Tennis…and I always think of you!!
Thanks for sharing. So relatable.
Wishing you a healthy and enjoyable 2024.
Hi Cynthia! Sure hope it’s relatable in a good way! And here’s to 2024…may it be a wonderful year for you!
Thanks, Lorrie.
What a fantastic post, Lorrie. So filled with encouragement, understanding and your own real-life situation! I’m very glad everything was okay – whew! I actually have a friend who skipped mammograms because she didn’t want the radiation. She ended up finding a lump on her chest that was breast cancer. Early detection is sooo important!
OH, Judy…thanks for sharing! That is exactly what my doctor conveyed to me. And yes, early detection is everything. They have come really far in treatments. But fear can prevent us from doing what we know is the right thing to do. I wish there was a way to end that kind of avoidance!
Thanks Judy for adding here. I sure hope your friend is healed and well!
<3
Thank you for sharing your perspective Laurie. 🤗 We all have our own beliefs and approaches to preventative medicine and the testing. I have never had an issue with mammograms … perhaps because there is no breast cancer in my family and the technicians here are very supportive and empathetic. Dermatologists however are a different thing …. Just because I have fair skin doesn’t give someone the right to take painful chunks out of me that prove to be insignificant.
Oh, Val!! I hear you! The first time I went to a derm (not that long ago 🙁 they took a giant chunk out of my leg!! And then I was allergic to all the bandages!! UGH! I hear you, feel you! I have friends who seem to constantly have issues (but living in Florida I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.) It sure seems like there could be a better way to do that as well!!
Here’s to the new year…and hope they stop using the “melon-ball scooper” on you!!!
What a relief 💐🙏🥰
I’m sorry you had to go through that experience, but so very glad to hear that all is well! You did a great job of describing the fear and stress of waiting for test results. And also how much having a caring provider (or an uncaring one) makes a difference!
Thanks so much, Ann 😊 Yes, when you find a provider who really cares and takes the time, it is such a blessing. I’m so sad, though, because he is changing his practice to cater to breast cancer patients only! The other part of that is how scary is it that he can DO THAT and have enough patients!!!???
Sending all good energy and lots of Sweet Blessings for a wonderful weekend ahead 😊💜
I was diagnosed Nov22, thank goodness it was caught early. However, I decided on double mastectomy with reconstruction, did the 4 recommended chemo & 25 radiation treatments. I’m not sure if there is anyway to reduce the anxiety or fear of the entire process, in my case I felt alone, my husband & my daughter couldn’t sit with me during chemo I’m not sure if it was do to the virus “C”, ugh or if it’s has always been that way. I’m doing well, my treatment continues with a daily pill & an injection for the next 5 to 7 years. Now, it’s all prevention going forward from dirt, exercise & staying positive. I’ve working on my daily routine, I just incorporated dry brushing, rebounding for my lymphatic system. My anxiety increasing each time I go for lab work and waiting to hear the results but exercising makes me feel better.
Wow…thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story here! First…it is so wonderful that you are doing well! It sure sounds like you have been through the ringer and that the path has not always been easy. But here you are! I don’t know you, but I can say that I am proud of you!! You have walked your journey with guts…and honesty. And you are being proactive in the self-care department – which I know is SOOOOO IMPORTANT on any healing journey!
Life deals us cards and we decide how to play them. I can feel your strength…and I send beautiful white healing light to help you on your journey.
I hear what you say…there probably isn’t much that could be done to lessen the stress and anxiety of the screening process…it may be I have wishful thinking. I do think there is a direct correlation between that stress and the women who decide to put it off. I’m really happy you caught it early and that you are doing well. If I could offer one suggestion…the mind is such a powerful thing and we certainly help create out reality…try REALLY HARD to keep believing that you are cancer free and in perfect health!
I will send prayers and energy for the same!!
Thank you for showing your vulnerability…I am Blessitude!
💜 Lorrie