Oof, Today was everything I thought it would be, with a few extra surprises thrown in. Let’s start at the beginning…
First thing in the morning, we found out that my husband’s friend died. NOW- this is not the devastating event you might think it would be. Larry was diagnosed with ALS about five years ago. His condition deteriorated to the point where he was severely disabled, and he lingered like that for the last couple years. It was too much for the family to handle, so he was in a facility. They were paying nine thousand dollars a month for extra aides because his needs were so high. I’m not sure how they were managing that, but I know they had a GoFundMe for him.
Anyway… it’s hard to even imagine how his wife and kids are feeling. Relieved? Sad? Angry? At any rate, it really put my day in perspective. Yes, I had some slightly unpleasant tasks, but I can walk, talk, eat and breathe on my own. I’m lucky!
In addition to appreciating my good health, I worked some treats into my day. I started off at Starbucks…
…and then went to my appointments. First up was the bone density scan- that one is so quick and easy. Then the mammogram, which is uncomfortable but not really painful for me. THEN, the ultrasound. I was a little freaked out, because the technician did both breasts, told me I was done, looked at something on her screen and then said she wanted to do the right one again. What? WHY? Gulp.
Unlike the mammogram and bone density scan, they give you the results of the ultrasound right away. Well, almost. I sat in the waiting room for almost an hour, and that was not a good time to be kept waiting. I had plenty of time to imagine them coming out to tell me I had cancer. No, they wouldn’t say that. They would just tell me I need a biopsy. And they wouldn’t say it in the waiting room. I imagined the scenario: “Jenny, can you come back to the office for a moment?” I wondered if I would need chemo in addition to surgery. And how would this all fit in with the wedding in July? I tried to read, but I was pretty distracted.
FINALLY, the technician came out, apologized for the wait, told me everything looked good and I was free to go. HALLELUJAH!!! I could have hugged her, I was so happy.
Back in my car, I was starving. Luckily I had a treat waiting for me!
Then it was home to load Sylvie in the carrier for the vet. My sister suggested covering the carrier- she said when they’re scared their first instinct is to hide, which they can’t do if the carrier is uncovered. I think it really helped- Sylvie seemed much less agitated.
She got her shot, and I was delighted to discover that rabies is only one dose. We’re done! Except for getting her spayed, which I’m obviously dreading. They want to wait until she’s six months old, and I’m fine with that.
Everything had gone pretty smoothly up to that point, but here’s where I had some unexpected snafus. I went to pay the vet and realized I DIDN’T HAVE MY WALLET. I remembered I had taken it out at home to see if I had enough to pay in cash, and I guess I never put it back. Luckily I was able to Zelle them.
Then, I got in the car, started home… and my gas light came on. ARRRRG! I knew I had enough gas to get home if everything went well- but I kept imagining getting into a huge traffic jam and running out of gas with Sylvie in the car. Obviously I couldn’t stop for gas because I didn’t have my wallet. And on top of all that, I realized I had several calls from the school. NOW what???
The school had a code red lockdown, that’s what. There was a shooting threat, but not an actual shooter. The police were there and everything was eventually determined safe, but the code red disrupted several AP and AICE tests that were being held.
Finally I made it home. I did not run out of gas; my wallet was there; everyone was safe and sound. PHEW.
Sylvie had a treat of her own…
What a day. I collapsed in bed for a lovely, lovely nap.
MayBloPoMo update- Noemi is also joining the madness. Check her out!
23 Responses
Yikes, what a lot of ups and downs! Glad you came out okay in the end of it all. By the way, friend, there’s this nifty invention called “Apple pay” that you can get…. 😉
Hahahahah…. I actually have Apple pay but I forgot all about it! The only time I use it is to send money to my daughter… eye roll.
what a day!!! I hate when the technician looks doubtful when doing any kind of scans.
Yes, that should be part of their training- always look cheerful and optimistic so they don’t scare people.
OMG what a day for you!! The mammogram/ultrasound and technician looking suspicious and having to wait for more info … that must be so STRESSFUL. And everything else on top of that. You deserve a big glass of wine… or whatever floats your boat.
The trick with covering the carrier seems very clever. I read it can relieve car sickness too but I won’t try that again, one of our previous cats got overheated and totally panicked. I can imagine it’s ok for short periods only.
Anyway – what good news the shooting threat was nothing. How absolutely awful.
Yes, my sister specifically said not to use anything too heavy, so I just had a piece of and old sheet. I can see how you’d have to watch for overheating.
I have to admit, I wasn’t entirely clear on the difference between a mammogram and an ultrasound, so I ChatGPTd it. According to that info, ultrasounds are often used to analyse something spotted in a mammogram, although clearly in your case they just did both as part of the routine check-up.
In any case, it sounds like you were very thoroughly checked over! Such a relief to get the green light!!
I hope your next Wednesday will be more relaxing for you!
Yes, they do an ultrasound automatically for me because I supposedly have dense breast tissue. My question is… why do I need the mammogram? Can’t I just do the ultrasound? The answer is no, but I don’t understand why.
The ultrasound wait would have driven me nuts- glad you kept your head. The wallet – argh- how frustrating! Glad modern banking saved the day.
I’ll have to remember to cover my cat’s carrier the next time I take him to the vet. Maybe he’ll relax and not poop spitefully in it.
Oh, those poor kids taking the AP exams. Like it’s not stressful enough!
Hahahaha… yes, it would be good to put an end to spiteful pooping.
Those kids are going to have to retake the tests… what a huge pain.
That sounds like a very stressful day but glad it ended ok.
I’ve had to use Apple Pay at a gas station before and was so glad it was an option.
Yes, too bad I DIDN’T THINK OF THAT. I’m just not in the habit of using it. I was just lucky I knew how to use Zelle at the vet.
ALS is SUCH an awful disease, I know two people who have had it – one who died and one who is dying – and I think it is the cruelest disease of all. I’m so sorry that your husband’s friend suffered so. May he rest in peace.
Wow, what a day you had. Hopefully that is all the bad things rolled into one day and the rest of the year is smooth sailing.
I have had lumpy breasts since I was 38, and I always have to get the ultrasound. When I lived in Alberta, I generally found out right away that it was a cyst or whatever, but here, you have to wait. So I had the mammogram, and they do not do the ultrasound at the same time. They only do it if there’s something suspicious. And there was, and I had to wait three weeks to get it, and in my mind I was doing what my friend Julie used to say “mentally trying on wigs.” Then I had to wait A MONTH for the results. So that was a lot of wigs I mentally tried on. I totally get that feeling. Glad it’s all okay. xo
Nicole, that is a LONG time to be mentally trying on wigs. It seems really unfair and unnecessary, since they CAN do everything at the same time, and could let you know right away.
Yes, I can’t imagine any disease crueler than ALS. That was the other thing I kept telling myself while I was waiting for the ultrasound results- I’d rather have cancer than ALS.
What a stressful and busy day! I’m glad everything came out just fine.
We used to have a cat who would simply NOT use a carrier. Luckily, whenever he got in the car, he immediately stuck his head between the seat and the door and never moved. He would wail and complain, but as soon as we got to the vet, he was fine! Thankfully, my next cats were good with being in the carrier, especially together.
We’ve had some epic battles to get one of our cats (Muffin) into the carrier. Just reading your description of riding with the cat wailing and complaining was stressful! WHY do they hate the car so much???
You earned that nap! And Sylvie earned her treat!
Getting a mammogram is NBD, but it’s on the list of my least favorite things to do. I’ve had a few “we need to check this out” things that (KNOCK WOOD) have been nothing, but it’s not a good feeling while you’re waiting for the all clear. Don’t get me wrong, I will always stay current with them because it beats the alternative, but they are not fun.
I’m sending good thoughts to your friends <3
Thank you Birchie! And- really, the best way to combat the stress is to stay current. In addition to reminding myself that I’d rather have cancer than ALS, I also told myself that I did this last year- so if they do find anything, it should be small and manageable. One time I let a couple (a few?) years go by between mammograms, and then I was really freaking out waiting for the results. Better to do it on schedule.
How stressful, Jenny. All of it. Well, except how smoothly things went with Sylvie… and the nap. I’m so glad you had a treat and a nap. Very much deserved.
I haven’t had a mammogram yet and am not looking forward to it, but thank goodness for screening procedures. They save so many lives. I’m so relieved there wasn’t anything wrong.
That drill sounds terrifying and so disruptive. I’d have a very hard time concentrating on any school work, even after the coast was officially cleared…
Oof that is a rough rough rough day! I am glad you made it home without running out of gas. You did not need one more bad thing in your day.
ALS is such a horrible disease. Those diseases where you slowly degenerate and lose your physical or mental abilities are so horribly sad. They can result in complicated grief because the family is probably feeling a sense of relief but then they might feel guilty about being relieved. But the person is probably relieved to pass away as well as their quality of life is so very low.
YAY! Glad you’re all clear. Annabel also likes Churu (lol). Yes, I second Kae– just pay for things with your face on your phone 🙂
Oh, that is so very sad. I cannot imagine.
Your day was a little hectic, but I’m glad it all worked out. I had the same kid in my daycare who has been potty trained for months – poop in her pants (somewhat) on Tuesday and then wet her pants today – and never said, I PEED. So that was fun. A family with three kids in my daycare just let me know that they might be taking a year off next year – well? Good to know now that I’ve turned two families away because they told me they were coming back next year.
That is a busy, stressful day! I’m glad everything worked out okay in the end, aside from your husband’s friend passing away. <3
When I worked in an office, I had to park in a garage that fed out into a two-lane road. It was ALWAYS backed up around 5pm when everyone was leaving, and every now and then, my gas light would come on while I was sitting in the garage, waiting to get out. It was so stressful! I thought of all the scenarios of getting trapped in the garage. SIGH. Why do our minds do this to us?!