Donna in Hollywoodland

6th Month Check-up

First, my Breast Surgeon called me about the CT scan of my lungs.
Everything is Normal.
Nothing has changed. So they are sure now it really is scar tissue from my pneumonia.

Now, Here we go ... today it was my 6th month mammogram, and ultrasound.
Has it been 6 months since my breast cancer surgery ?
Yes.
Time flies when you are having fun.

Went back to the breast cancer clinic.
The technician had the worst time taking the mammogram of the left breast. The machine kept beeping at us, saying the photo was no good.
She finally went to talk to someone.
When she came back, she mumbled something about needing the machine on "manuel" - since this is the breast with the radiation treatment and the machine can't read it correctly.

Okay - so did I just have two extra x-rays of my left breast that I did not need?

And can we talk Pain...
These things are painful enough.
Imagine having a mammogram, and being squished, when you have a large area of scar tissue in your breast.
I would barely let the technician touch me before I started to complain.
There was actually a point I felt like I was going to pass out from the pain.
Seriously.

Finally it was all over.
The Mammogram Doctor called me into her office. She had the Ultrasound Technician with her.
My Mammogram Xrays were up on the wall with all the lights.
They were both happy and upbeat.
"Donna !!! We've been thinking about you !!!" They both chimed together.

The Mammogram Doctor went on : Everything looks totally normal.
Not one questionable thing on the mammogram.
She pointed to the large white area : All scar tissue, completely normal and to be expected since I have had radiation to that breast.

Both The Mammogram Doctor and The Ultrasound Technician went on.
Mainly about how wonderful I looked, and how healthy. And just that I looked fabulous.

"Well, I said, I am eating mainly organic. Taking lots of supplements and antioxidants. You know, taking better care of myself."
I left out the part about how now that the radiation was over, I was done with their toxic treatments - I was thinking it but I kept it to myself.

They really did seem happy and amazed at how well I was doing.
I am sure its because they've seen so many people on chemotherapy who are really sick at their 6 month check-up, that I am the one person who sticks out.

The Radiation Doctor was so amazed she said "I don't even think you need to come back in 6 months. Maybe not for another year."
I said "Oh, I know my Breast Surgeon will want this again in 6 months. So I will see you in 6 months."

I mentioned about how my sister now has colon cancer, and I need to get the colonoscopy done now too.
And how important it will be for me to be like clock-work with my check-ups.

Then the Ultrasound Technician needed to take ultrasounds of two areas. They were little round spots were water or liquid that had accumulated. They just wanted pictures of them, but they were nothing. Something having to do with the surgery, and
they are supposed to eventually go away.

So this was a happy day !
A good report from the doctor !
I am set for another 6 months !