The mammogram chronicles – part 8: Backward care at the Västerås breast unit

The phone rang a few minutes ago. It was the breast unit from the central health clinic (Centrallasarettet) in Västerås. They called to report that the mammogram I got yesterday was “normal.” (They also told me this after yesterday’s test.)

“I see you’ve had soreness in your left breast and under under your arm since January. Do you still have it?” (The technician who did yesterday’s mammogram asked me the same question. Yes, I do.) “Then you should probably get a physical (breast) exam, too.” She then offered me FOUR different days at a VARIETY of times with a CHOICE of doctors THIS month.

“Why couldn’t you have taken care of this yesterday when I was there?” I asked. She seemed surprised by the question and mumbled something about availability or scheduling. To be honest, I don’t remember exactly what she said except that it was a bureaucratic non-answer. “Since your mammogram was normal, we wouldn’t normally do a physical exam. But you say you still have pain.”

Faithful reader, if you have been following this chronicle, it’s quiz time. Question number one: Why did I call the breast clinic in January?

The moral of this story: Don’t fall out of the system. If you’re not in the computer, you don’t exist. And if for some reason you pop up, the droids who keep the system going have no idea what to do with you.

Something is very wrong with administration of the breast clinic at Centrallasarettet, and the women of Västmanland are literally paying for it (another visit, another co-payment), also in wasted time and anxiety.

Västerås, stop playing the odds with women's health.

I’m sure my sister would agree.

The mammogram chronicles - part 7: It can happen to anyone

I’m feeling quite distressed today. I just found out that my oldest sister has breast cancer. It was discovered during a routine mammogram so it came as a shock to her.

The “good” news is that they caught it early; so there are treatment options besides a mastectomy.

Suddenly my fight to get a mammogram has taken on new urgency.

I’m very sad today.

Mid-week Bangladesh

My daughter returned from Bangladesh this morning.

A couple days ago, I texted her with two questions.

1) Was she tired of Bangladesh or would she stay longer if she could?
“Both. I’ve been sick most of the week [with a cold] and I’m sick of the food and the ants everywhere, but otherwise I want to stay – I’m totally in love with Bangladesh.”

2) What would she like for dinner when she returned?
“Like tacos, waffles, HARDCORE kebab – as long as it doesn’t contain rice, weird vegetables, fish, chicken or goat. And ice cream for dessert!”

We had told her that ice cream, if she saw it, was strictly off limits unless it was industrially manufactured. But she told me this morning that during the last 24 hours she has developed an “upset stomach.” So I guess that precaution didn’t help much. An "upset stomach" is just part of the “experience” to places like these!

(Yes, she had all the necessary shots/vaccinations before she left. She has been on my mind all week. I'm glad she is home.)