Heard on the 5:00 news: Someone has invented a soft, pink, pad to fit the icy, steel plate on the mammogram machine. The intent is to lessen the discomfort a patient (woman) might experience when taking the test.
Whoop-de-doo! After 50 years of using this instrument of torture, science has come up with an idea to make it easier on us. The technician being interviewed said some women might actually avoid their annual check-up because they are afraid of experiencing pain.
While I think it’s great to minimize the trauma of this procedure, most women are fairly familiar with discomfort. Can you say endometriosis? Or menstrual cramps? Child birth? Not to mention nursing a baby who is teething.
But, I guess that little pink pad is a step in the right direction.
About 30 years ago, I was scheduled for a needle biopsy. I arrived at outpatient registration about 8:00 a.m. — fasting. AKA no morning coffee. Three hours later, still fasting, I was taken to the lab for a pre-biopsy mammogram.
I had a raging caffeine-withdrawal headache and the technician seemed unfamiliar with her surroundings. I stood in front of the machine and “leaned in,” the best position for a good picture.
As my bare body touched the plate which had probably just come from the freezer, I felt a familiar aura.
“I’m going to faint,” I told the technician.
“Wait a minute,” she said.
Wait a minute? This is not a good time for you?
Sorry, I could not wait. When I woke on the floor, she was asking if we might try again. Success on the second try.
The fluid in the cyst was “suspicious,” which called for a lumpectomy. I consider that I survived a close call.
So, go ahead, women. Get that yearly check-up.
They have a soft, pink pad waiting for you.
3 years ago I had a mammogram at NLR Baptist Breast Care. They had a soft, white pad. Last year, it was gone. I had my test done this year at another facility. They didn’t have a soft pad. I did get the 3D 2D test. I liked it better than the old test because it was quicker.
Good post. I hadn’t read about the new pink pad. Imagine, my BFF making a blog post from such a piece of news. Yay! for Dot.
Good post and good advice.