Why didn't anyone Tell me?

Mammogram Machine

The Squisher

                                                                                                              Today was my annual mammogram -Yuck- a modern age torture of my breasts -Ok so it is a life saving test but still it is VERY uncomfortable -a little funny -you have to step out of your body to get the humor - so it is necessary to be squeezed and handled by a woman stranger -BUT it is only once a year.

 

I also had a Pelvic Ultra sound. Last year when they were trying to find out why I was having pain in my right chest -I had a series of tests that started with a colonoscopy and ended with an ultra sound of my gall bladder that was filled with stones. Long story short I ran out of co-pay money and patience for tests and never had the last ultra sound. A pelvic ultra sound that was recommended as a result of the last test. 

So today over a year later, I had the test. First the Doctor never even hinted as to what this test entailed. I had had an ultra sound before -with the slimy stuff they smear on you and then the thing that sends sonar waves thru the layers of fat -and I have alot - it hurt because the technician pushed so hard into my fat. Now 22 lbs lighter I am back. I had to drink 32 oz of water and not use the bathroom until after the test was completed. Ha I would drink the water forget and use the bathroom then remember and have to drink all over again. 

I get to the Imaging office and wait about 15 min and they call me -a nice woman tech has me lie on the table -lower my pants and underwear to the pubic line and she slimes me to take picures of my kidneys etc. Then she says to empty my bladder /whipe off the slime and return for the internal test.

Did she say IN ternal? Why didnt I know this? Strange. I come back to be asked to remove my pants and underwear/ lay on a table with a square under my hips and cover myself with a sheet. 

Then she hands me a long -12 inches / about 1 &1/3 finger wide cylinder like probe -attached to a cord. She says insert this into the vaginal opening -HELLO? say WHAT?

How come no one told me what to expect. It is uncomfortable and hurts a bit -she the puts her hand under the sheet and takes control -very professional -very young female stranger.

I start to laugh -and say i am writting about this in my blog -no one will believe it. I asked her if women talk -she said usually older woman who give her TMI (to much info) like : "no one has stuck anything in me since my husband died";& " I am so dry" etc... 

I said they should at least buy you dinner first -but really both my GP and the GYN should have prepared me about what this test entailed -she smiled and shrugged -and said it is just a test-ok I was a little nervous. Then it was over and I then I had the mammogram.

Internal Ultra Sound Probe

Both Tech's said we would have the results in 5 days. I really dont care -it IS, what it is ..................I want an hour HOT shower -I have been slimmed.

Pudgy Pelican .Avalon NJ and Me -2010

Do I only Blog once a month now? I am trying to write my Christmas letter and re-reading my blog journals and trying to condense them. Two Family deaths; beloved Aunt and Uncle. Four new cousins -all Grandchildren to my first cousins. One girl and three boys (our first set of twins)/a new friend turned one/ My little sister turned 50, our Mother 80. ( I was with them for both celebrations)/ my BFF turned 40, without me/ My Writers Group published our second book, I learned how to re bind a book? or I took the class anyway/ I participated in the 2010 Historic Census -it was a eye opening experience -IRS taxpayers were angels compared to the citizens I met doing the Census and I include the Census administrators and neighbors. I also met some wonderful, interesting Census workers -all ages and backgrounds. Wrecked my car by allowing a deer to hit it/I am fine, she is not. Learned a dear friend lost her husband and two High School friends, each, a son. I continue to declutter my house/spoke with a Realtor / found time is not right to market house/ had some trees removed from the front and the back partially cleared and some work done on the house-spent all the Census money so still saving for the big 60 birthday Land /Sea cruise to Alaska/ Nutrisystem helped me loose 22 lbs and I am down to my college weight-feel pretty good off the Insulin -would like to loose about 50 more lbs and off the majority of my meds but that is for the next Christmas Letter...........

Oliver (1) and Robin (59)

So that is it 2010 include some pictures and we are ready to turn 60 in 2011 -WOW I can not wait!