Yesterday I went for my annual round of cancer tests; mammogram, ultrasound, chest x-ray and bloodwork. It was the first time my new breast, or as I call it, my '09, was mammogrammed. The radiologist took a look at the first films and asked the technician to do them again, this time with a different view, called a Mag View. Afterwards, I strolled down to the ultrasound table, where a different tech gooped me up and scanned my vital organs, liver, kidneys, spleen, assorted other gray shapes, which all looked fine. The radiologist always comes in afterward to verify everything. After he checked my organs, which looked fine, he spent some time checking my '09. He said everything looked good and sent me on my way. Finally, I went for my crazy amount of bloodwork, (ten vials!) and got to go home.
Today, there was a message on my answering machine from the Hull hospital asking me to call them back to schedule a biopsy. This left me pretty perplexed, since the radiologist didn't mention anything about anything suspicious, much less a biopsy at my appointment, I'm pretty sure I'd remember that. So, I called them back and asked to speak to him myself. To my amazement, they put me through to him and I asked him what was going on. He said that after reviewing my file again, he noticed microcalcifications near the cleavage incision of my '09, and to be on the safe side, he wants to get a biopsy of the tissue to confirm that the calcification is a result of the surgery, and subsequent infection I had at the time. And, if it's something else, then we'll be informed and ready earlier, as opposed to last time. He reminded me what the biopsy procedure was like, but he really didn't need to, it's still one of my more vivid memories.
I trust Dr. Lareau. I credit him with saving my life the first time. He was the only doctor who took my tumor seriously the minute he saw it. Unfortunately, he only got to see it once it was 10 centimeters wide. It's thanks to him that I got my mastectomy so quickly. He always remembers me and my case, and although his bedside manner is sometimes a little curt, he knows what he's doing.
My appointment is on November 24th at 9:45 in Hull. I'm not looking forward to the procedure, but I'm not worried.
