TMI? Probably...

Today I went to my very first Mammogram. Yay me! I scheduled it to be first thing in the morning because the thought of wearing no deodorant in the summer is horrid. So I headed over to the hospital around 7:45am to do my check in and hoping I could get in before my scheduled 8:15am appointment. They have done some renovations to the hospital and now have a lovely patient check in area. I was impressed not only at how it looked but how efficient it was. I know it is still early in the day but that is why I make my appointments so early. So after check in in I head down to the Breast Care Section. You walk in and it's decorated in dark wood with green wallpaper. Very cluby looking. So they call my name to verify a few more things that they missed at patient check-in and then took me back to the changing room. It was exactly like a country club locker room. Small dressing rooms with a row of lockers to keep your stuff in while you go have your breast flattened. So I change into my "gown" that ties in the front, lock up my shirt, bra and purse and sat down to peruse an Elle magazine. I maybe waited 5 minutes before my name was called and I was taken into a small room with a device to take picture of my breast. Whee! The room was white and very clinical, which is fine as it is a procedure room. Elena, the technician, had me verify my birthday and explained to me that because this is my first mammogram that they might call me back for additional films because they don't have anything to compare them too. Fine. Now for the torture. Okay, it really wasn't that bad although it wasn't a picnic either. I still have red marks where the device squeezed me. I'm hoping they won't turn into bruises although they do hurt when I poke them. (I can hear Jerry saying "then don't poke them" in my head) So after 4 pictures, 2 for each I tie back up my gown and wait as Elena dashes out of the room. I'm assuming she is going to make sure the films came out. After a few minutes she comes back in and says, "Congratulations you made it through your first Mammogram". Yay! Now I get to look forward to this once a year. I think I have a few years before they start requiring a Colonoscopy..I'm not sure though and I'm not bringing it up!