So today, I have another appointment, this time with the surgeon. Oncology surgeon. Scary, right? At this point, it sounds to me, much worse than it really is. After all, 80 percent of all things seen on mammograms turn out to be nothing. Fact. And I am going to quickly learn how a large specialty medical practice operates. Eye opening, really.
I show up well ahead of time for my 3:30 appointment, my punctuality can be exhausting for some. I’ve already done my recon, so I know that I need to check in on the third floor. There’s a huge waiting room with lots of people waiting. There’s a tiny check in area with lots of people waiting to be checked in. After waiting for a few minutes, with much time to spare, I’m checked in and sent to the waiting room to fill out the typical new patient paperwork. What past surgeries have you had, what’s your family history, when was your last mammogram, and on, and on, and on…
When I’m done with my paperwork, the observation begins, people watching, if you will. I look at people and wonder what their stories are. I wonder if they are thinking the same about me. Probably so, I’m pretty darn interesting. I check my watch over and over again. And surprisingly enough, the nurse calls for me promptly at 3:30. A positive sign, the office runs on time. This will be helpful for me when I have to adjust my work schedule.
The nurse introduces herself, collects my paperwork, and takes for my weigh-in and blood pressure check, not a great start. The blood pressure is high but I’m neither surprised nor concerned. I really shouldn’t be here. She asks a few questions about my mammogram, spot compression, and ultrasound. After we’re done, Nurse Keep the Office Moving Along takes me to the exam room. The drill is the same, everything off from the waist up, gown open in the front. Then, she’s gone, I change, and I wait.
What happens next is a very pleasant surprise. Dr. Cutie Pie walks in and introduces himself. He’s not the oncology surgeon, but one of his residents. And the dance begins. How am I feeling? What’s my past medical history? What’s your family history? Then we start discussing what will happen with the biopsy. A needle, you say. Needles don’t bother me. Oh, you meant a big needle, I’m still not scared. He tells me that he’s going to go and get the surgeon who will examine me.
Exit Dr. Cutie Pie, enter Dr. Impossible to See. He’s really quite lovely. And wait, who’s that with him? “Hello, stranger,” she says. I practically give myself whiplash when I hear the voice and whip my head around to see her standing there. Nurse Amazing. Nurse Amazing worked with my previous surgeon, Dr. Straight to the Point. When I heard Straight to the Point left the area, I wondered what happened to Nurse Amazing. Wonder no more, here she is. Through my journey, she will be the one person I know for sure that I can lean on when I need to. Thanks, Nurse Amazing!!!!
Dr. Impossible to See does and exam and confirms what I already know. There’s no lump or mass that can be felt. So, we talk. Yes, you need to have a biopsy. But no, you don’t need to worry. It’s probably nothing. We’ll get the biopsy scheduled next week and you’ll come back to see me in two weeks. We exchange pleasantries as everyone piles out of the room leaving me to put myself together. I check out and make a follow up appointment for two weeks out. Women’s Imaging will call me to set up the biopsy. I leave the office feeling confident that I have nothing to worry about and everything will be just fine.