Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat  -  Dianna Doles Petry,

Healing Prayers are needed.

August 17, 2007

Meeting With the Surgeon
Dianna Doles Petry
 

As a woman, a lot of my self image has always revolved around my breasts,
even if subconsciously. I searched for clothes that emphasized my cleavage
and when I thought of anything to do with motherhood, I thought of infants
nursing from ample bosoms. I think most people view the breasts as the
embodiment of femininity. They are a large part of our sexual identity, a
lure that males cannot resist and a way to nourish our young.

 

During this last year of my life, however, my image to others has meant less
to me than how I feel about myself. I have found peace with this midlife
zone of my existence and my priorities have changed. I am still a proud
woman, always well dressed, clean and orderly, but I have accepted that my
bikini days are long gone. I will deal with the battle of the flab while
continuing to have my youthful fantasies. At last, I seem to have some order
in my life, some sense of knowing exactly where I've been and where I'm
headed. Dealing with this health scare over a lump in my breast did not
change my direction, instead, it only confirmed that I am taking the right
path. It was frightening, not because I worried about losing a mass of flesh
but instead, because I didn't want to deal with a lot of pain or have my
family watch me suffer.

 

The last week of my life has been a bit of whirlwind. I went in for a
routine check-up and left the doctor's office not sure of what my next move
would be. I was sorted reminded of an old joke I heard a long time ago, "You
have 45 things wrong with you, outside of that, you'll be all right!"

 

This morning I had an appointment with a specialist/surgeon to find out what
new direction my life is about to take. I was told a few days ago that I
have a lump in my left breast, approximately a little bit bigger than a pea,
and it would have to be tested to rule out any sign of cancer. I had faith
in my doctor when he said, "We just can't be too sure about these things,
let's not take any chances." As they walked me past some rather ominous
looking equipment this morning, however, I considered making a run for the
nearest door and escaping to run to the mountains where I always feel safe.
Maybe I should just take my chances, I thought, even while I walked forward
to keep the appointment.

 

"What in the world is that table for?" I asked the nurse as I pointed
towards a long flat table with two holes at the top of it that seemed like
the perfect size for breasts to dangle through. To my dismay, that is
exactly what the table was and she explained to me the procedure they use
when that table is used. I felt my blood pressure rise about ten points as
she guided me to the room where I would wait to see the doctor.

 

It is important for me to tell you here that I often suffer from the
it-won't-happen-to-me complex. I have spent years of my life living a double
identity, the common woman occupying half of my life, Wonder Woman occupying
the other half if not a little more. I seldom get the flu because I just
don't have time to catch it.

 

I slipped off my blouse and bra and put on the beautiful hospital gown that
was left for me as the nurse left the room. I am quite sure this gown is not
the height of fashion on any of the New York runways this year and it was
that I could do to keep my boobs from falling out as I sat there on the
examination table, knees hanging over the end, waiting for this unknown
doctor to enter the room.

 

The doctor came into the room after what seemed like an hour but actually
only five minutes or so. I had read all of the pamphlets lying on the desk,
all of the charts hanging on the walls and all of the reminders for the
doctor that were hanging on a bulletin board. Yes, I get bored easily, I
confess to that.

 

He entered the room, a middle-aged Asian man with a ready smile, and reached
out to shake my hand. After a few seconds of small talk, he asked, "So the
doctor felt a small lump in your left breast and then sent you for imagining
and a mammogram? Is this correct?"

 

The next few minutes went by in a blur. He examined my left breast for
himself and then said, "How old are you again?" I replied, "Forty-eight."

 

"You're sure about that?" he asked.

 

"That is what my mother has always told me and I'm pretty sure she was there
for the big event." I told him.

 

He laughed and then said, "Well, my wife is forty-eight and she does not
look like you. She no longer has the long hair and I'm not even sure what
color it is supposed to be anymore. I just say, Honey, it looks so
beautiful!"

 

I burst out laughing and sat up when he motioned that I could do so.
"Dianna, there is no discernable lump. In fact, the size that the doctor
felt last week has diminished, most likely a hormonal fluctuation. You do
have fibrocystic breast changes and that is a common condition, not a
disease. I'll have you to do the ultrasound next week while you're there
anyway but there is nothing to indicate any signs of cancer in your breast.
You are free to go."

 

I felt free! I felt as though the weight of the universe had just been
lifted from my shoulders! I still have to face the second bullet next week
but I dodged this one and it feels pretty darn good. I went right out and
bought myself a few horoscopes, at this stage of life, they don't come all
rolled into one anymore. I bought Cosmo for my sex horoscope, Southern
Living for my food horoscope, and Allure to see my clothing horoscope!
According to these, if I wear just the right thigh high stockings and serve
a meal that consists of oysters and fine wine while I avoid the color green,
I might just manage to stay up long enough to see the eleven o'clock news
tonight! Is that living or what?

 

Now, concerning the Fibrocystic Breast Changes, here are a few things to
know:

 

1) This is a common condition! It normally affects females from puberty to
around the age of fifty. It often disappears after the completion of
menopause unless estrogen-replacement therapy is used.

 

2) Multiple lumps are common.

 

3) Generalized breast pain is common, especially just before the cycle

 

4) Lumps often enlarge before the cycle and shrink afterward

 

5) Lumps deep within the breast may be indistinguishable from breast cancer

 

6) Nipple discharge is possible but not always a part of these changes.

 

Causes:

 

The cause is unknown although it is widely believed to be related to
estrogen and other hormones fluctuating and also dietary fat intake.

 

Some studies indicate that drinking coffee and other caffeinated products
excessively is a culprit with this disease and smoking cigarettes has been
related to a higher incidence and greater extent of this condition.

 

More to come next week when I face the second bullet!

 

Dianna Doles Petry

(c)August 16th, 2007

©Dianna Doles Petry

8/15/2007

dianna59@suddenlink.net

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