Saturday, February 24, 2007

YOU WANT TO DO WHAT??????


You know when you are about to go through a medical experience that you've heard horror stories about and you're kind of nervous so you just do what the doctor or technician asks of you, and you do it without question. After all they were the professional, full of knowlege and understanding. They had been trained not only in their "CRAFT" but they had to be trained in having a stellar bedside manner. These men and women actually get trained in medical school or even technical vocation school about this very important part of the medical experience. Well this is where my story begins........

One mild autum day last November I was waiting patiently in the holding area for my turn at the "BIG SQUEEZE". My midwife had suggested that I get one because of some pains that I had been having and thought that it would be a good idea to have a look-see and at the same time obtain my baseline mammogram for future reference. I had heard stories about the flatness of the breast that is attained in such a procedure and I looked at my girls and shuddered at the thought of it. I felt like I did when I was in the hospital after giving birth to my firstborn. We were in my room having some quiet time and the nurse walked in to my room and said "The doctor is here to perform the circumcision. We'll take the baby and bring him right back" I looked at my sleeping baby as they were wheeling him out of the room. He looked so comfortable, so happy without a care in the world. I started to cry knowing that he was going to have some pain in just a little bit and I wasn't going to be there to comfort him. As I sat there and looked down on my chest I felt that same sense of loss of control for what they were going to go through. They just sat there looking so comfortable, so happy without a care in the world...except for maybe the bra that was itchy.

I was called to to "THE ROOM" and asked to take off all of my clothes from the waist up and to put on the gown. When the technician came in I promised myself that I would not be a sissy and I would do what they asked and not complain. After my personal "TAFFY PULL" and some small talk I was given a BREAST CANCER AWARENESS candle and some other tidbits then sent on my way. I thought that I was pretty lucky to have such a nice technician that took such care with my precious cargo. A few months later i was doing something mundane when POP I had the image of some of the "technical adjusting" that went on during my MAM....What I want to know is ..... at what point does "technical adjusting" stop and "second base" begin?????

I was out shopping with a friend when she said that she was going in for this wonderful procedure herself in a few days and I had to ask her to tell me how much cupping went on...did she feel like she should have been taken out to dinner first?
When she reported back to me the amount of "cupping and adjusting " that went on during her time on the slab I had to wonder if I had a touchy feely technician. Did my technician skip out on Bedside Manner 101??

I still don't have the answer to my question but would like to know if anyone else had a similar experience.........

9 comments:

dalene said...

My first mammo was much like one (I forget which) of my children's births. Someone thought it would be a great idea to make it a teaching moment and they invited in an entire medical school's worth of interns.

OK, so I exaggerate a bit. But I still didn't understand why the need for witnesses. Luckily for me it wasn't a "hands on" demonstration.

I still maintain that if male doctors/researchers/what have you had to subject themselves to the equivalent of a yearly mammogram we'd have more comfortable technology in mere seconds.

Can you say "Steamroller?

Did you say anything? Was it a guy or a girl? OK, not that in this day and age it matters. I'd write a letter to complain. And how did you end up with a free candle? I didn't get anything but a bill.

pflower10 said...

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and they give out fun stuff like pink candles to celebrate and to entice people to come in. So next time you go, schedual it in October. Mine was Nov 1 and they had leftover candles so the tech gave me one.

My tech was a woman who talked about her husband and so I felt comfortable knowing which side she bats for. But then after my POP moment I'm not so sure.

How many extra's were in your room???

When I was in the hospital having J, the nurse told me that some nursing students would be there and would I mind if they watched.....I told her I did mind. I wasn't about to have these extra's around. I didn't even let my own mother into the room when they were checking me, or when I even birthed him.
I loosened up by the time I had C, not only was my mother there (she cut the cord) but we took pictures.

You are amazing to let " The entire medical school''s worth of interns" there. Exaggeration or not, that's a pretty intense "procedure" to have people watch.
Next time I see you I'll let you know the details of what happened.

Did you know that caffine will cause pains in the breasts?

pflower10 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elizabeth said...

I have yet to have my first mammogram, but I've been thinking I need to get one as we have breast cancer in the family. If I'm nursing though, shouldn't I wait until I'm done nursing before getting one of those things?

pflower10 said...

Yes, I would wait Elizabeth. It would probably make you squirt all over the wall and equipment. But don't be afraid of getting one. I thought it would be much worse than it was. I won't be scared next time I go in.
How old's the babe??

Geo said...

It's not too late to go back and slap somebody's face.

Geo said...

Not that I'm encouraging you to do that. It's just nice to think about. I suppose a letter is more the thing.

Lorien said...

as long as she didn't PLAY with them. But was she smiling too much? did she laugh or giggle? any long, uncomfortable pauses? You know, I'm just trying to get a better feel--I mean--sense for what happened.

pflower10 said...

Lorien-

You are truely perverted. But to answer your question, no. None of those things happened. Thank goodness!!

Thanks for the comment