Accepting the Good and the Bad News of Life

It’s that time of the year again. It is time for the fun annual mammogram. I don’t complain too much; I would take a mammogram over a pap smear any day.

The first mammogram I had resulted in a callback and follow-up mammograms every six months. I was hoping this one would be a little less eventful.

A skilled technician makes all the difference with getting a mammogram. This gal was good. I was in and out with little pinching and discomfort.

Then I got the call.

“Mrs. Weber, the doctor would like to do a follow-up mammogram. Can you come in right away, please?”

That’s when I started having my conversations with God.

“Okay, Lord, you know what I can handle and what I can’t. You know the responsibilities I have to my spouse and kids. They need me, Lord. I really don’t want to have breast cancer. But, if that is Your will, I will accept it and I know You will give me and my family everything we need to get through this. But I’m really, really hoping this isn’t what you have in store for me.”

This continued on as I went in for the second appointment.

I was impressed with the good bedside manner of the nurses in the clinic. They seemed to be very sensitive to this group of “mammogram called-back ladies”. I had to take several different shots as the nurse shuffled back and forth to the doctor viewing the images.

In my last callback to the examining room, the nurse explained that I have a dense, muscular type of breast tissue that is often difficult to read in the mammograms. She said the doctor wants to keep an eye on me and see me again in six months. Oftentimes, the deposits the doctor sees resolve themselves over time.

“Thank you, God!”