Even in the midst of a breast cancer scare, I’m almost more scared of the close-minded Republicans who continue to spew fake talking points to steer people away from Obama. Read on..
Yesterday, after putting it off and putting it off, I went for a follow-up mammogram. I told my husband before I left that I was not going to come back with good news. I just knew something was wrong. Sure enough, the nice technician prattled on through the smashing of my right boob. But during the smashing of my left boob, the room fell silent and she began to go about things in a stiff and mechanical way. "Don’t be surprised," she said "if the doctor asks for more pictures. It’s just routine." The look on her face told me, there would be more pictures, no doubt about it.
More smashing with smaller "paddles" came next so they could really compress the tissue to get a good look at something that is lurking deep within my left breast. It hurt like heck. Standing there with my boob hoisted up on the big gray machine that was alternately humming and beeping, I kept thinking, this is still so barbaric. I just know there must be a better way and that my head would blow off if I researched it and found out there was some stupid health-insurance-capitation-provider network-cost of care reason for a pancake machine versus an MRI. Anyway, I sat and waited in my bright pink gown for the next round of tests after the second set of pictures.
This is when the examination of my left breast took a turn to the right. The doc wanted an ultrasound and I was ushered into a dimly light room and asked to lay on the table with my boob pointing skyward. The best thing I can say about the ultrasound was that they have finally wised up and now warm up the acoustic jelly they squirt on said area. The rest of the test was pushing, prodding and squeezing with the wand. It was uncomfortable to painful and very scary once I began to be aware of the area that she was scanning – over and over and over. I was kind of at that point where it gets "real" and I didn’t quite know what to do with myself, so I decided to ask how business was – given the mess with the economy. I was curious (truly) to know if the tech had noticed a decrease in people coming in for testing. She said she felt that things were pretty much the same – non-stop mammos, CAT scans, x-rays and MRI’s. In fact, they recently had to add another whole unit because of the demand. Then she said that she felt that everything was going to be okay WHEN McCain and Palin are elected.
Suddenly the term "boob" took on a whole new meaning because this woman clearly was one. I asked if she was concerned at all about Palin should she have to take over as President. The tech nearly shrieked at me – "Why – because she's a woman!??" No, because of her lack of experience and her inability to complete a coherent sentence. I softened my actual answer to her. There is nothing like lying half naked in front of a stranger to temper your snark factor. "What person is ever prepared to be President?" she asked. She went on to say that McCain will be a great military leader because he was a POW and said that fact alone would lead her to never question any military decision he ever made. Then she said, "plus with what happened to our country on 9-11, how could we possibly let Obama with all his Muslim ties into the White House." Her lips snarled and a hateful look came over her face when she said it. I confess, I stopped thinking about my left boob at this point and seriously considered grabbing her by the neck. As I looked up at her face illuminated by the glow of the ultrasound screen, I could see that completely self-righteous set jaw that told me she was a fanatical wingnut who could/would not look at any information, however factual, to consider that she might be holding onto a mistaken opinion. She also commented that she thought Palin was "really feisty" and that the "woman in her was really going to get into some of those layers of government and clean house." Demographic info - she was white, around 45, kids, good job at well known radiology clinic in Baltimore metro area. Brain - size of a walnut. By this time, the grim faced doctor had entered the room and the conversation ended there.
UPDATE - DISCLOSURE OF MY DEMOGRAPHICS - white, around 45, no kids, good job, huge expansive brain.
Next up for me, a biopsy tomorrow morning at 8:45. Next up for all of us from right now until November 4th – get out the truth – get out the vote –get that man Obama into the White House. The polls are turning around and the sun is going to shine on our country once again. Yes – we – can.