I finally got the official word in the mail today that my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound came back normal. I cannot tell you what a relief that is. Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me while I waited to hear what was next. I'm glad to know that what is next involves nothing more than a routine mammogram next year.
I survived the 2011 3-Day Walk with flying colors. I am working up a write up of the event, but the highlights are as follows, my teammate Nancy, Rocks!!! She outwalked me and made it possible for me to do more than I could have done alone.
I walked a total of 51.8 miles. I swept 2.2 miles on Day 2 and then we took the SAG bus after lunch on Day 2 back to camp, skipping the last 6 miles that day. The other two days, we both walked all the mileage!!!
I did not get as emotionally drained this year, nor was I as physically exhausted after the event, which was nice. I was able to pretty much return to my regular routine when I got home.
I'm already getting donations for the 2012 walk!!! Yup, I'm signed up for a third year and you can help me get there by donating now at http://www.the3day.org/goto/margie_dowens and clicking on the bright pink "Donate to Margie in 2012" button on the left hand side of the screen. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who support my walks financially and who support me with your kind words and encouragement.
(11/15/11) Fundraising 2012: $35, Total: $295.00
(11/14/11) Fundraising 2012: $60, Total: $260.00
(10/21/11) First Donation to 2012 walk: $200.00, Total: $200.00
Friday, November 25, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Still No Real Answers
I had my followup diagnostic mammogram and a follow-up ultrasound today. The technicians are not allowed to tell you much of anything, but my ultrasound tech did say that she didn't see anything to immediately be concerned about, but that the radiologist would look at the pictures she took and if more testing (i.e. biopsy) is needed the radiologist would contact my doctor and my doctor would contact me. So I've sort of got good news, but it's tentative and I'm really back to the waiting game. I'm hoping that someone calls me with the official results in the next couple days. I dislike this waiting.
In the meantime, I'm trying to get packing done and settle everything around the house before I leave for San Diego on Thursday.
(11/13/11) Training: 7.3 miles in 2 hours 40 minutes
Total miles this year: 208.5
(11/13/11) Fundraising: $30, Total: $2,600
(11/11/11) Training: 4.0 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes
Total miles this year: 201.2
In the meantime, I'm trying to get packing done and settle everything around the house before I leave for San Diego on Thursday.
(11/13/11) Training: 7.3 miles in 2 hours 40 minutes
Total miles this year: 208.5
(11/13/11) Fundraising: $30, Total: $2,600
(11/11/11) Training: 4.0 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes
Total miles this year: 201.2
Friday, November 11, 2011
It's Probably Nothing
I had my annual mammogram last Friday. Yesterday, less than a week since it was done, I got the call that sends fear into most every woman's heart. They want me to come back in for a second set of films on one side and probably a follow-up ultrasound. I know that this happens all the time. I know that many women are called in for additional screening that turns out to be nothing to worry about. But this is kind of like making it to the second round in a contest you don't want to win. You didn't want to even be a contender. You wanted to wait two weeks and get that letter that tells you that everything is "normal". I have had mammograms at this facility before, so they have to be seeing something that's changed from my last one.
My mother has a history of cystic breasts. Almost every time she had a mammogram, they did a follow-up ultrasound for her. I'm probably just finally at an age where that is starting to happen to me. But I have to wait, not knowing, and that is no fun. Let's talk about the waiting thing for a minute. I don't get why they don't have an express lane for people with unusual mammograms. I'd pay extra to have had it done yesterday. The first appointment they had was not for TWO WEEKS. Yes, you read that right, two weeks! Luckily, I know enough to schedule that appointment and then ask them to be put on the cancellation list. If someone cancels their appointment, they call and get you in earlier. What I was impressed about was that they called back within a couple hours, and instead of two weeks, I now only have to wait until Monday. That's still four days from the time I got the notification that I need to go back in. Four long days.
My mom will go with me on Monday and most likely I'll come back and report that all is fine, and I'm trying not to think about it otherwise.
(11/3/11) Training: 7.1 miles in 2 hours 31 minutes
Total miles this year: 197.2
My mother has a history of cystic breasts. Almost every time she had a mammogram, they did a follow-up ultrasound for her. I'm probably just finally at an age where that is starting to happen to me. But I have to wait, not knowing, and that is no fun. Let's talk about the waiting thing for a minute. I don't get why they don't have an express lane for people with unusual mammograms. I'd pay extra to have had it done yesterday. The first appointment they had was not for TWO WEEKS. Yes, you read that right, two weeks! Luckily, I know enough to schedule that appointment and then ask them to be put on the cancellation list. If someone cancels their appointment, they call and get you in earlier. What I was impressed about was that they called back within a couple hours, and instead of two weeks, I now only have to wait until Monday. That's still four days from the time I got the notification that I need to go back in. Four long days.
My mom will go with me on Monday and most likely I'll come back and report that all is fine, and I'm trying not to think about it otherwise.
(11/3/11) Training: 7.1 miles in 2 hours 31 minutes
Total miles this year: 197.2
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