Last night Hubs found a rather sizable lump in my right breast.
Totally killed the post-coital glow, can I tell you. (Oh, and Happy Mothers Day – thought we’d end your day with something to remember it by.)
“Um, your breast doesn’t feel right…”
I feign calm.
“It’s right, I’ll ring my GP tomorrow and get an appointment”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Sleep was a long time coming, but I kept telling myself it could be anything… I’d pushed myself a little harder at the gym with my lat pulldowns on Thursday – could that have something to do with it? A cyst? An alien bursting from my breast instead of my chest? (…I know this isn’t funny, but humour is a great defense mechanism for dealing with mind-altering uncertainty.)
More calm in the morning. Get the kids off to school and then come home to kill time (I vacuumed the floor – twice.) until I can pick up the phone at 9 a.m. and ring my GP.
“Hello, this is Glenda.”
“Hi, Glenda. Just wondering if Doctor W. has any appointments this week?”
“I’m sorry, but the clinic is fully booked until 28th of May, which is 2 weeks from now.”
“Oh… can I make a booking for then please?”
“Certainly. Our computers are down, but I will call you back within the hour with a day and time.”
“Thanks.”
Enter Plan B.
“Hello, this is Libby.”
“Hi Libby. I’m just wondering if I’m on Doctor A.’s books anymore?”
“How long since you’ve seen him?”
“Ages.”
“Hold please.”
……….
“Tasha, do you have another GP?”
“Yes, but I can’t see her for 2 weeks and I’ve discovered a rather sizable lump on my right breast and am freaking out a little.”
“I suggest you let them know that and perhaps they can get you in to see your GP a little earlier.”
“Okay. Thanks Libby. Bye.”
Enter Plan C.
Start to panic. And do a Google search.
Self-diagnosing is not something I’m a big fan of, but a grape-sized lump in your right breast is enough to send anyone tapping the keyboard.
9 out of 10 lumps discovered are not cancer
I can deal with that.
At 9:45 Glenda rings back and tells me that I can see my GP on the 23rd of May. When I tell her what’s going on she says she can get me in to see Doctor M. on Wednesday. This Wednesday (15/5/13) at 11:15 a.m.
And now begins the hurry up and wait…
Blooming heck at the plan b phone call. I mean really? That was shocking on her part. I get that they want you to see your GP, but where was her compassion? Am pleased you did tell Glenda and got an earlier appt. Waiting is so hard and while I could roll out a lot of clichés I know that whatever I say wont help the worry/stress you are going through. I am picking that the GP did some tests today and you are still waiting. Hugs Tasha!!
Thanks Janine xo
I’ve just gotten results back this afternoon and all is good. Consistent with a cyst were the words used, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on myself from here on in.
Honestly, I wasn’t that ticked at the receptionist at Dr A’s surgery. We’re having a GP crisis in our area – in that it is difficult to get any to work in rural areas – which has translated to it being really hard to even get an appointment.
What concerns me as well, is that so many have closed their books to new patients. What if you are new to the area and really need medical help…?
Luckily for us, we don’t need a GP all that often, and we have (now) found 2 wonderful ones. A 45 minute drive away, which when you are truly sick is a bloody long way, but at least we know we have compassionate ears who will listen and explain.
T xo
Oh Tasha, what a scare. Having just written long post, unpublished as yet, on the c word. [not me either!] And I misread the dates and thought you were yet to go, so relieved to hear you are part of the 90%!
Definitely a scare Kellie… I think everyone thinks awful things won’t happen to them. I know I did.
So glad to know that it is not you dealing with cancer. Look forward to reading your post too.
T xo