Forty means it's time for a mammogram!

It’s been three months since my last blog post, almost four now.  It’s been four months since my last post.  A season has passed. Well, now I’m being dramatic. 

I turned 40.  4-0. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be when I was 25.  A moment of angst was felt as I had my first mammogram recently—or maybe that was discomfort as my boobies got squished. 

This is what 40 looks like on me.

How about “that” job?  Positioning breasts in machines and compressing them into painful pancakes! I asked the technician if much bothers or embarrasses her now.  She flashed me a smile as I quite literally peeled my breast off the machine.  The bonus of breastfeeding four children is that the tissue resembles the old ladies on Sponge Bob so they can handle a lot of smoosh.  UU

I was assured that I should get my results back in a week.  “Don’t be alarmed if you get called back for additional views.  It’s not uncommon when it’s your first.  There is nothing to compare the films against to know if what is seen is normal or not.”   Still, when you do get that voicemail to “call the radiologist’s office; we need to schedule additional views”, it can be a little unsettling to say the least.

Especially when you call back and the call drops—and a multitude of children are being children in your home (loud, boisterous, and energetic) and you finally make the appointment for tomorrow, and you try to keep calm because it’s not uncommon to get a call back.

Then when the pop up shelter falls apart in the backyard and your son decides to use a hammer to disassemble it instead of a wrench…I will be anxious for nothing!

Even when my children argue and call each other names adding to the chaos.  The older brother had to find ten verses in Poverbs explaining why our words are important; still I will be calm and rest in the truth: I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me.

Tomorrow came and my sweet neighbor popped over and I went to my appointment.  I remember before I left looking in the mirror and giving myself permission to freak out—to cry, to let it out.  My emotions were boiling over and they WANTED to burst out; but, there was a still calm that reminded me about my previous bout with pneumonia in January.  I was transferred to the ER from Urgent care and my blood pressure had shot up to 200+ over 100+. Then I was on a heart monitor and it said I missed a beat, twice. I spent almost two days in the ICU. Scary stuff on the outside, yet, on the inside, there was peace.  There was peace that no matter what happened, or where I would wake up, I KNEW Jesus had it covered, and that Truth ate up all the fear. 

I reminded myself in the mirror that since God handled that, He can handle this.  Even if x, y or z.  So—I chose not to let my emotions run me.  Happily, I managed to get all green lights on the way and even found a parking spot up front.  They did additional views on the right breast and an ultrasound on the left.   hs since my last blog post--well This time there was a lot more pressure. 

A radiologist was there to read the films and do the ultrasound.  I received the results right away: all was well on the right side—normal breast tissue.  The ultrasound revealed a tiny cluster of cysts—completely normal.  “Make sure you come back in a year for your screening,” and out the door I went. 

Talk about relief and joy!  I’m so glad I didn’t give in and indulge in that cry.  Praise God for the Peace that surpasses all understanding, and Praise Jesus for my husband and group of girlfriends who prayed me through.

Get your boobies smooshed when it’s time. Don’t be afraid of the “what if’s”. 

Know Jesus—Know Peace