BRUISED BOOB

This is a blip of my left boob. Went to hospital today because abnormalities have been found in my left breast.

What a traumatic day. Was at the hospital for 3 hrs plus this morning. Even before I got there I was stressed.

I got the bus from the 'Park & Ride' instead of trying to park at the hospital. I jumped on the bus that was waiting and asked how much it was to the hospital - only to be told I had to buy a ticket from a machine inside the terminal. I hate having to buy stuff from machines.

Bus dropped me within the hospital complex but was there a map or directions to get to the department I wanted? There was not! I ended up asking for directions in 'accident & emergency' which was a run down, grotty place - very unlike the rest of the hospital which is lovely. After walking through miles of 'tunnels' & asking at several other places I eventually ended up where I needed to be. Surely there should be maps of all the hospital buildings at all the major points???

Sat in the waiting room trying not to cry & then was called through to an x-ray room. A very nice nurse said I'd been called back because my left breast didn't look like my right breast. She pointed out a couple of blobs on the x-ray that she said they wanted to look at further. I just cried. Couldn't really think of much else to do.

Then I had to have an ultrasound. Must be what it's like when you have a baby. As I've not had a baby it was all new to me. I cried again. Couldn't help it - I'm an emotional person! The consultant couldn't see anything on the ultrasound so said I needed a 'core biopsy'.

Had to wait an hour for this to be done. I went into the courtyard area, had a coffee and attempted to read a 'Good Housekeeping' magazine. Then the 'Breast Care Nurse' appeared. I didn't want to talk to her, I certainly hadn't asked to talk to her and I had nothing to say to her. She eventually got the hint and went away.

Why they try and make you talk to these people I don't know. If I want counselling I'll ask for it.

The core biopsy was awful - the consultant and two nurses kept telling me I was doing really well. I obviously wasn't, because when it was over one of the nurses wanted me to have a cup of tea for 20 mins before I left. I said I didn't drink tea and just wanted to go home. They still made me sit for 20 mins.

I've got a very sore, bruised breast. I'm alternating between thinking that it's good to catch these things early - and thinking that I'd rather not know.

I have to go back to the hospital on Wednesday to get my results.