The double doors of Radiology Ltd. swung wide open. The waiting room was split in half with the check in desk in the center. And it was already full. To my immediate left were 2 women checking patients in. They took my name and asked me to sit on the left side. I sat among about 20 other women. Some very comfortable, others visibly nervous. I listened in as an elderly Hispanic man talked to another waiting husband about how proud he is of his culture.
Desiree called me up to gather insurance info and in exchange gave me an iPad to use to check in. I breezed through it and returned the iPad. About 10 minutes later a young lady called me to the back.
She punched in the code and the door opened. Directly in front of me was a very long hallway. On the walls hung beautiful quilts geared towards cancer awareness. Fear set into my heart. His word says to be anxious for nothing but instead make my needs known and thank Him in advance. I did my best. We entered a dressing room. I was instructed to remove the top half only and don the rose pink gown, then sit in the smaller waiting room.
After what seemed an eternity a lovely woman called my name. We entered the room that housed the tall, cold machine. She was informative, patient, kind, and acknowledged how nervous I was. She asked if I had any questions before we got started. I only had 3.
"Tell me your name again" "Rosemary", she replied.
"How long before I get results?" "Your tests will be reviewed today and the doctor will talk to you today" WHHHHHAAATTTTTTT!!! That was the best news I'd heard in the last 6 days!
"Am I also having an ultrasound" She said, "Only if there are any concerns".
She took 3 views of the right breast, we breezed through those. The left side took longer. **side note. My breasts have been 'handled' a time or 2, but I've totally underestimated the level of stretching and smashing they're capable of**
I tried to gauge what she was seeing by her facial expressions and got nowhere. Upon completion, she says,
"Please go back to the waiting room, we'll call you back for the ultrasound soon." WHAAATTTT???
What is there to be concerned about? OMG? This can't be good!
Soon Liz calls me back. She wasn't as kind as Rosemary. I climbed onto the table. These days ultrasound gel is warm. I couldn't see the screen as she pointed and clicked which made all my google image searches of breast ultrasounds a waste of time.
Liz stops and says, "I'm going to call the doctor in to take a look at this". WHAAATTTT??? What in the world is wrong that we need the doctor right now?
The tears began to flow--again. I thank God that He knows our unspoken prayers, because I could not even talk. Dr. E came in and studied the screen. She says--
"Good news, the lump on your left side is not an issue, I don't think it's anything to be concerned about, BUT I do see a spot on the right side that I'm unsure about. So, I'm sending you back so we can gather a few more images"
Back to the waiting room. Back to fear and what ifs, anxiety and inaudible prayers. Thankfully Rosemary was my tech again. This time around after each scan she called me back to look at it. Although I didn't know what to look for, it was helpful to see it. Rosemary went on to explain that it's not uncommon for docs to ask for additional views on a first mammo trip. They have nothing to compare it to and just want to be sure.
My favorite waiting room chair was open. This was to hopefully be the last time I sat silently among strangers in pink gowns. I fidgeted, tried to get on Facebook, texted a few people and read about breast cancer statistics as they flashed across the room's flat screen.
I was finally called back and informed that "Everything is fine. There's nothing to be concerned about. If you feel additional lumps schedule an appointment right away. Otherwise, come back in a year." The diagnosis is scattered fibroglandular breast tissue.
Bless the Lord! I drove home to find an empty house. I texted Naysia and she would soon be home. While I waited, I blasted the song, "Thank You" by Mary Mary and praised like I don't think I ever have in life.
This entry could go on forever, but I'll end with this. I've been through emotional hell the last couple of weeks and I've come out on the up side. My whole entire life could have changed. I'm praying for every stranger that I encountered on July 12 who received unfavorable news.
The remainder of John 10:10 reads ".......My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
I thank Him that He has plans for my life that are rich and satisfying!
Lastly, you'll be relieved to know that Naysia and I got into an argument about 15 minutes after I shared the amazing news with her.
Things are back to normal. :)
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