Mammograms, I learned last week and today, do not have to hurt. The trick is to go somewhere that they do *only* mammography, so you're not working with a tech who also X-rays things like femurs and skulls. It's a tricky job, zapping tits with radiation--there's a lot of positioning and moving of tissue that I hadn't expected. It's interesting, but a rather strange sensation.
Anyway, the first mammogram showed wonky bits in both breasts. The second one, taken at slightly different angles, clarified that those bits were indeed wonky. Given that I had a clean PET in October, I wasn't particularly worried, but still.....when the tech came back and told me the radiologist would be doing a bilateral sono, I started getting nervous.
Dudes: THEY HEAT UP THE SONO GEL. No shit. It's actually warmer than skin temperature. I need to remember this for all the sonography we do in the unit.
Anyhow, the magnificence of my breasts has now been confirmed scientifically, and I am to return in a year to make sure that their quality is undiminished.
The best things about this clinic? Bathrobes. Real, cuddly, fleece bathrobes that are NOT pink, to put over the little gown-thingy they give you. One cup coffee/tea/hot chocolate makers around every corner. And, best of all, a SNACK BAR. If you want a little something to munch on while you're watching "Charmed" and waiting for the radiologist, you can have fruit or peanut butter crackers or maybe a little donut.
I am all about the snack bar from here on out. Every clinic worth its salt will have one when I'm Queen of the Universe.