Overkill

Now that I'm not freaking out anymore, I can post about the last week and a half publicly.

I went to my annual exam Tuesday, Jan 29th, with a new doctor (same office). As she was doing my breast exam, she noticed the two fatty deposit spots on my breasts (TMI - I know). She asked me if they were always there, to which I replied, "yes". She decided she wanted me to get a mammogram and an ultrasound just to check things out. She also told me to make an appointment with a surgical specialist in case anything showed up on my films.

So I went home with an appointment at the hospital for this past Tuesday, the 5th for the mammo and the ultrasound and the number of a surgical specialist. I called and made an appointment with the specialist for this coming Friday, the 8th.

That week between my visit and the appointment for the mammo and ultrasound were awful. I went from being completely calm, cool, and collected to a walking zombie by the time the "big day" arrived.

My stomach was in complete knots as I registered at the hospital, but by the time I got to Radiology, I had pretty much gotten myself together. The mammo wasn't bad. No pain, just a little uncomfortable.

The ultrasound was easy, and I was happy to be told by the person doing it that she didn't see a damn thing. She even told me that after the doctor at the hospital had looked at my mammo films with the woman who took them, he gave her a heads up that she most likely wouldn't see anything during the ultrasound. She went and talked with the doc, came back and gave me the thumbs up, and told me I was good to go.

What a huge, friggin' relief! I was fine!

I couldn't wait to get into my car and call up that surgical specialist to cancel my appointment on Friday.

I called Harry immediately after he got out of work to tell him the good news. Needless to say, he was elated.

I got the call from the OB/GYN office today, letting me know my mammo films and ultrasound were clear (they obviously didn't know that I had already asked at the hospital). Then the woman who called asks, "Did you make your appointment to see the surgical specialist?"

Come again?

Apparently, even though there isn't any evidence to support the need for a biopsy, my doctor still wants me to have one.

Um, I don't think so.

At first, I was happy that this new doc was being so thorough and erring on the side of caution with this. Hell, I have insurance; it's already paid for.

But THIS... telling me to get an unnecessary biopsy is where I draw the line. It's moved over from caution to overkill.

I was livid this morning. WHY?! Why would someone WANT me to have to go through something like that?

I don't feel like I'm being stupid about this. I really don't. I realize I'm not a medical professional, but I've had 3 medical professionals look at my results and tell me there's nothing there.

So why would I give someone the go ahead to cut me up?