Work is usually fairly routine, but last Wednesday was a little more special. We had our daily diagnostic mammogram patients come in, but the diagnostic patients are ones that have been called back because there was an abnormality on their mammogram. I went to the waiting room to call my patient, but this woman seemed extra nervous. I knew she would need a little more comfort, a little more talking, and a little more reassurance with my words. I knew she would watch every facial expression and count every minute that I was gone with the Doctor while evaluating her films.
I brought her in the room and she was shaking uncontrollably. I told her to try not to worry too much, that 9 out of 10 people who get called back are just fine... She tried to relax, but with where her abnormality was, it made it difficult to obtain good images. This consumed more time, and caused much anxiety.
After finally obtaining quality images, I took the films to the Radiologist to view. I told him that her films HAVE to be negative, that he just didn't have a choice, and had to read them out as normal... He chuckled at me like I was crazy, but us techs and Doctors chastise each other on a regular basis. He told me it was my lucky day, that everything looked fine for my patient, and that she can come back in a year for her annual screening.
It's such a great feeling walking down the hall, knowing you get to tell your patient she's cancer free! I walked into her room and told her the good news, and she collapsed in my arms in tears. She went on to tell me that her husband was just diagnosed with cancer last year, and that SHE is his primary caretaker, that HE needs her.... You see, this woman wasn't scared for herself, she was scared for him....
We hugged for a long time while she cried, and I told her I was so sorry about her husband...and that I will pray for them both.
So last night I prayed that one day, another tech can walk down the hall and tell her husband he is cancer free.....
