In Typical Smith Style

For those of us that know us, you know that we have the worst luck when it comes to medical issues.  And typically, they aren't usual medical issues.  We like to do things differently for some reason.

Last Thursday, I had a routine mammogram.  Sunday evening, I received a phone call requesting that I come back in Monday morning for a second more detailed mammogram.  The nurse assured me that lots of ladies were called back and it was no biggie!  So I wasn't concerned...I was aggravated.  As a homeschool mom and a mother of a toddler, there is no easy way to go to the doctor...especially for a mammogram!

Monday morning I joined the two dozen other women in the waiting room at the same time about 9:15!  It wasn't long before I had my second mammogram.  Several many ladies came and went while I was waiting. The tech comes out and tells me that I need to have an ultrasound done.  So they take me for that procedure!  Then I'm back in the waiting room. 

At this point...I decide it's time to make friends.  I had become a bit uncomfortable at what might be going on.  I figured all those ladies were in that waiting room were there for the same reason...so I might as well see if any of them could give me information.  One of the ladies actually had breast cancer and had just taken her last radiation treatment.  I was so thankful for the conversations God allowed me to have while I was there.  Someone asked me if I worked there, when I responded no, she said..."it seems like you know everyone around here!"  Nope...didn't know a single soul but I took advantage of my opportunity to share comfort with others and to gain some insights I would not have had otherwise.

Now, let me tell you, there were two women who had to have ultrasounds but soon after they were told they could leave.  But in usual Smith Style of wanting to make sure everyone knows us, I was called back for my third time.  This time, I was led to the radiologist office.  At this point, I knew I wasn't done and about to go home!  In a dark office with one wall lined with computer screens, the radiologist says pull up a chair!  Let me show you. There really wasn't any need to show  me...I could see plain as day there was a spot!  But the radiologist explained the different views and different tests, and the spot was present in all of them!   Because it had little fingers, it was recommended that a biopsy be performed.  The radiologist had already talked to my doctor!  (I knew I had more time to make conversation than other women in there.)  So, I was faced with a choice...they could do the biopsy right then or I could come back the next day.  I chose to go ahead.  I know me well enough to know that time to dwell on what's about to happen is NOT a good thing. 


Let me just say at this point, I am scared to death.  I have only sort of known one person to have to had this done so I knew no one to call to prep me!   Had I have had that ladies number I would have probably been calling her...but I didn't.  I think God put me in a spot where I had to say...God you're all I have right now.  I need you to comfort my heart, calm my fears, and I really need you to allow this not to hurt too bad God!!  I had about 20 minutes to ponder what I had just agreed to do.  A nurse shows up and off I head to biopsy! 

Once everything is all prepped and I am ready to go, I get to lay still for a few moments and wait for the doctor to come perform biopsy.  I find myself ready to jump out of my skin.  But then I breathe my prayer before a Father whom know me better than I know myself.  I told Him how scared I was and how I needed Him to calm my fears and not let this storm overtake me!  Looking back, I think He did that!  At the time, I wasn't sure I knew that!  When the doctor started, I closed my eyes and really could not believe that I was going through this!

I'm done were some of the nice words I heard from the doctor that day.  I'm thinking...sweet...I'm about to be able to go home  And then I learn....I have to have another mammogram on the breast that they just worked on.  Thankfully, it was numb!!  So...I get to wait another few minutes for that to happen.  By this time it is lunch and the waiting room is empty.  But several of the techs/nurses came by and kept me company.  I think they all felt sorry for me! 

In all the hustle and bustle, I don't think anyone told me how truly awful I was going to feel afterwards.  And I guess I'm dumb enough to think I am truly superwoman!  God has definitely showed me this week I am not superwoman. For the first time in I don't know how long, I have spent many hours on my sofa doing nothing!  I have had to reinforcements.  Haven't liked it but I've been in a place where I had no choice.  I'm pretty certain that God is not done using this situation in my life.  I think He has much to teach me from this experience.

I have typed all I can physically type right now.  I will type part 2 later!