Sisters United

There I sat in a blue patterned, winged back chair, book in hand ("From a Buick 8," by Stephen King) awaiting my "clear to go" from my most recent mammogram. My breasts were a bit tender from the from the pulling and squishing, despite the ibuprofen I took an hour before.

It dawned on me that myself and the five other women "patiently" waiting were in our own weird form of a reality show. The woman to my left could be my grandmother, knitting what looked like a scarf. To her left was "the career woman," constantly checking her voice mail, sending text messages. To her left was the soccer mom having her first mammogram and making nervous small talk. To soccer mom's left, and across the small room, was the stylish late 30's/early 40's young woman obviously feeling the inconvenience of where she is at. And finally, to the left of runway girl, was a woman who could be my aunt, with worry written all over her body. We were all waiting for preliminary results. Anxiously awaiting to find out if we need more testing. Not one of us wants to be pulled back into that room with the albatross they call a "machine." This usually means that the Radiologist found something not quite right with our mammogram.

My book forgotten, used as a writing table for my current reflection; the news playing on the television beside me. Each woman occupying herself in her own, personal unique way: knitting, reading, texting, television watching. We all appear calm, but a trained observer can note the nervousness hidden in each of the women: foot tapping, clenching jaws, cautious looks at THE DOOR. And I find that we're all sisters united and divided all at the same time. No one wants to talk about why we are here...some are routine, some are to explore newly found lumps. Yet, as women we are comforted by the company of each other and the small talk that women are prone to make in most situations.

Remember, Breast Health is very important. I was called into the room only to find out that my images from last year were not readily available. Six hours later, I'm still waiting to hear if I'm ok. Ladies, check your breasts monthly, and get your routine mammograms....they could save your life.