The Price I Pay ...

I am amply endowed. There was no surprise in my recent screening mammogram except to note the radiologist's concern that very small tumors might go undetected because of dense tissue. Still, he did not recommend either a diagnostic screening or an ultrasound and simply wrote that I should return yearly.

My next adventure will be with the vampires in the lab. Though I attempted to schedule an appointment for this blood draw prior to the mammography, inefficiency reigned, and I was informed that I could not make an appointment at the lab in person but instead needed to call the number on the lab request form. I could, however, show up as a walk-in and wait, provided I was fasting and had not eaten for at least eight hours prior to the draw. Had I been informed of this by the nurse or doctor at my previous appointment, I'd have skipped breakfast the day of the mammogram. This is yet another appointment and more money for transport that I will need to schedule. Then, there is a gynecological exam in November, along with another dental visit, ongoing massage and any needed PT. At some point, a colonoscopy and eye exam await.

In the meantime, I look forward to a massage and Saturday lunch among some smart women.

How about you?

Simply Smashing...

I'm overdue for an annual exam by two years, so tomorrow, whether I like it or not, my chest is getting smashed and radiated, always a painful if short-lived process. The last time, I also underwent an ultrasound and discovered much to my delight that I had nothing cancerous.

 I've also scheduled further physical therapy and a new massage therapist and will be purchasing a used massage table that I can hopefully fold and store in a corner so that any massage therapists who visit will be spared the  wear and tear involved in hauling around a table. That, it seems, is the foremost reason given for abandoning home visits. Travel to and from is an added expense for me, and can hasten the undoing of any positive benefits from massage. Since this and physical therapy are my primary means of pain control, it makes sense to assist a massage professional in this way, especially since the massage therapist herself found a good quality used table and will help transport it. Her office, located on the second floor of an older building without an elevator, is beyond me at this point.

A grocery run is on tap for Wednesday, thanks to my neighbor and the previously disputed situation with the paratransit service has been resolved in my favor, due in large part to my doctor writing a letter and with my permission, spelling things out for them while also rather politely venting her spleen at their stupidity. When I last wrote of this issue, someone made the comment that the bus system is poorly managed and under used and therefore not worth the money expended upon it. If there were no bus service, there would be no paratransit for people with disabilities at all. Since there are those among us who cannot drive or depend upon the largesse of others to do so, our best bet is to improve public transport so that everyone can use it.

Thanks for all of your kind words regarding my last post. I have been fortunate to know some very special people, and I try, how ever possible, to use the lessons provided through friendship in positive ways.

Until Next Time...