My First Mammogram

So, I had my mammogram today.  It was NOWHERE near as bad as it is made out to be. I currently have a strained muscle in my chest and even with that it was fine. Okay, they do have to move the breast tissue around a bit to make sure it's all in the picture. But that's no different from a Cameo bra fitting where they make sure all the breast tissue is in the cup and not sliding off to one side or out of the top of the cup.  Or for that matter what I do every time I put on my bra to do the same thing.  And yes, the breasts are under pressure, but it's really not that much more than a sturdy compression sports bra provides, it's just at a different angle.  And it's only for a few minutes.  I wouldn't call it fun, but it's no more painful than many of the things we do for vanity - dancing in heels, waxing, plucking, wearing a girdle or corset or too small jeans so we look thinner than we are, etc.  Hell, it's less painful than going to the dentist.  This is for our health damn it!   Quit telling horror stories, quit putting it off, and just do it.

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Potential Setback

At the breast reduction class, they told us that the fact that we'd been referred and showed up for class meant that we'd been approved for surgery, but we didn't have a full choice on size because there was a minimum amount that had to be removed based on studies that showed how much was necessary for symptomatic relief.  Well, it turns out that my smaller right breast may not be large enough to remove that amount.  I wear a 30 GG - but a GG when you wear a size 30 band size apparently isn't that voluminous.  The doctor (more on him another day) said I'm a good candidate, but he needs to take my case to some committee for approval to make sure it will be covered.

<Insert Huge Sigh Here>

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  But even if Kaiser doesn't cover it, I'm still planning on getting a reduction.  Plan B has always been using credit card miles for a ticket to Thailand and having it done there.  This is how my sister gets her dental care and she can't speak highly enough of the quality of care.  And my naturopath pointed out that Thailand is the best place in the world for breast plastic surgery.  Really, the only drawback of Thailand is the traveling - I'd prefer to go home to my own bed after surgery and such a long flight a week after surgery sounds potentially miserable.

But in the meantime, I get to go for my first mammogram on Saturday, because it's a Kaiser pre-op requirement.  I'll be pissed if I get a mammogram and then end up getting my surgery somewhere that doesn't require it.  Because otherwise I have a couple years before I need to get my first mammogram - although I found out that Kaiser lets women self-refer for mammograms starting at age 35.

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Wedding Dress

I bought my wedding dress last week (at the thrift store.)  I'm not really into the whole wedding as production thing, so that part wasn't exciting.  The fact that I got a dress that was probably over $300 for $15, and in almost perfect condition - that was pretty good.  But the really exciting thing was that it is sized to fit a post-reduction me.  It's one of the many dresses and tops that are too small in the bust but fit everywhere else.  And by November, my bust will fit in it!!!!

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