(no subject)

[shadowkat]

Got mammogram today - aka cancer screening. Haven't done it since 2013. (Don't start, I know. My gynecologist disappeared without a forwarding address, and I had a male primary care. Finally fired his ass and got a female primary care...and the mammogram. Now need to get the new gyno, which is...well, let's just say, it's easier to hail a cab in the middle of Brooklyn at rush hour.) Don't like them -- painful. Although I've big breasts, so as my mother (who also has big breasts) puts it -- it could be a lot worse. At least we have something to put in the compression torture device, I don't know what men do. (Yes, men can get breast cancer -- have you not watched "A Million Little Things"?) The technician felt the need to put the breast in question in all sorts of bizarre positions. I told her at one point that I felt like a contortionist. Since English was clearly her third language, this was lost on her. I think she's from Eastern Europe. She sounds Russian or Ukranian.I'm getting rather good at picking up on these dialects -- mainly because I spend most of my time listening to them.

When all is said and done? The machine was better than last time. They've improved it. Also they've women doing it now. And only one technician. And it's more accurate -- and takes much better pictures and can do 3D imaging.

Go technology.

I wonder what people did without all this technology? Probably died of breast cancer. I shouldn't joke -- I've family members and friends who are survivors. Actually it's why I do joke. And to date two co-workers died of cancer -- lung and pancreatic.

Afterwards decided to walk about ten to fifteen blocks (30 minutes) to the Carroll Gardens subway home. It was a beautiful evening - blue sky, warm. And I had errands -- got a new knives, a bento lunch box, soup/food jar, lunch bag, wooden talons, an eco scrubber, and an oven mit at Whisk. Then stopped by Duman and picked up another kitchen throw-rug (to match the one I bought the last time I was there), a leg pillow (gel with memory foam, hypo-allergenic), and a beach towel (which was on sale). Still need to find something for friend who I'm visiting in July.

And...stopped by Charlotte's Patisseri and picked up two gluten free raspberry muffins, and a gluten-free brownie. (I'm not having problems cutting all grains, and dairy out, but am having issues cutting sweets and to a degree certain carbs. I do still eat oatmeal -- because it helps with digestion and blood pressure. But off corn, wheat, rice, barely, rye...and dairy for the most part. Sometimes I'll cheat and have an ice cream bar or a piece of string cheese or parmesene on ancient grain pasta (this is pasta made from amarenth, millet, and almond flours -- it's called Manna Pasta, and is freshly made and you boil for no more than 3 minutes). I had it tonight (cold -- made it last night) with left over shrimp, broccoli and cauliflower with parmesene and pesto.

Comments

[trepkos]

My first mammogram was so painful, and the person doing it so dismissive of my complaints, that, having not much in the way of risk factors, I didn't get another for 8 years. The radiographer assured me that this time, it wouldn't be painful, and she was right - just mild discomfort. What's an eco scrubber?

[shadowkat]

Yeah, had the same experience. First one was a nightmare. This one wasn't that bad -- better technician, who said she'd be quick. The technician makes all the difference.

Eco Scrubber -- is a cloth sponge with a scrubber on one side for scrubbing dishes that can be washed, and is reusable. (I'm trying to help the world, not well, but trying...;-) )

[wpadmirer]

I have very small breasts - A cup - and I don't know how large-breasted women deal with mammograms. They are uncomfortable as hell.

But the new technology is fabulous. It can find the tiniest of tiny things! The needle biopsy I had this year was looking at a cluster of calcium deposits that were less than 1/5 of an inch in size.

I was all clear, so I'm very, very lucky.

[shadowkat]

Glad it turned out well. I have an Aunt who gets calcium deposits or cysts, that are benign.

Outside of hormonal aches, nothing major on my end. And less so now that I'm gluten, soy, dairy, and mostly grain free ...apparently that had an effect.

[wpadmirer]

That's cool. I gave up coffee because it's promotes cysts forming in breast tissue, and it's also bad for arthritis. It's made a big difference over the years for me.

I've never tried giving up gluten, but I don't seem to have a problem with it. My issues are all with nightshades. Which is unfortunate because I love all of them. (sigh)

[shadowkat]

Yeah, I'm basically avoiding those things too. I can't have coffee -- the acidity kills my IBS, and I can't handle that level of caffeine. Tea, yes, because watered down, coffee no. Also can do chocolate. Although am addicted to caffeine, so must go off the caffeinated tea and chocolate..

And I stay away from the nightshades for the most part as well. However, not staying away from Tomatoes and Potatoes completely.

After a while one gets tired of eliminating things...so I switch it around depending on how I feel. But I have the arthritis (back), the IBS, and inflammatory issues -- which probably is a contributing factor to the IBS and arthritis.

It sucks getting older, doesn't it?

[wpadmirer]

OMG, it sucks donkey dicks. This is why I box and rock climb. I'm determined to not age gracefully. (grin)

[shadowkat]

LOL! Go you!

Do you climb the rock walls inside or outside? It looks like fun, but my vertigo issues would get in the way.

[wpadmirer]

Inside these days. I'm not up for camping and hiking miles into the climbs. But I still love the puzzle of climbing.