Is it okay to ask for an “Atta Girl!” for something I should have done 2 years ago, but just now got around to doing?
And I don’t mean cleaning the toilets.
Two years ago I went to my doctor for a somewhat routine check-up with a few minor concerns. She was new to me, as I wanted a doctor closer to home. She addressed my concerns easily enough. It was the routine questions that kind of bothered me.
“When was your last mammogram?”
ugh.
“Five years ago,” I answered without showing obvious concern.
“Well,” she responded. “You’re over 40 now (Really? Must she say that out loud?) so it’s time to have another one.”
*sigh*
“Okay,” I state enthusiastically. I take the paper with me, set up my next yearly appointment with her and head on my way.
As the year progressed, my prescription for the mammogram got buried deeper and deeper in my pile of papers, and therefore deeper and deeper in my mind.
It would sneak up occasionally, and I’d feel a twinge of guilt, but then I’d swallow it down quickly so as not to keep worrying about it.
At my next appointment, one year later, she asked if I’d gotten it done.
I hung my head in shame, and quietly muttered, “Umm… not yet.”
She didn’t scold, just filled out a new form for me, and sent me on my way.
This time the form didn’t get buried quite as deep. At least once a month I would come across it, think “oh yeah…I should do that..” and I’d set it aside.
Then Abby got hers done.
Then Terri got hers done.
The weight was growing steadily on my shoulders, but I was able to carry it.
Until now.
With my impending yearly appointment nearing, 2 weeks away in fact, the weight has become too much to bear.
A stretch of three days off in a row this week allowed no excuses. I called on Tuesday, and unfortunately they were able to get me in the next day.
Today was that day.
It was quick. It was painless. It was not even humiliating.
It was just not fun.
But it’s done! And now I can go to my doc and proudly tell her I did it!
I deserve an “Atta Girl!” Right?
shadowrun300 
agg79
September 6, 2012 at 3:13 am
Let me be the first to say: Atta Girl! Mega Kudos! This is one of those necessary evils we all want to avoid. We’d rather run a marathon or an IRS audit than get that test done. I don’t mean to get all preachy, but I am definitely a poster child for detection/prevention. It’s almost 5 years since I got diagnosed with PC and got fixed. And I’m like you, I was highly active and had zero inkling of any problems. Trust me. That cancer crap is definitely NOT something you want to mess with. Just like putting on that oxygen mask in the plane, you gotta take care of yourself FIRST before you can take care of others. Congrats on getting checked out.
Just wait until you cross that 50 mile mark and they want to talk colonoscopy…
shadowrun300
September 6, 2012 at 1:22 pm
I knew YOU would be happy that I finally went. I really can’t explain why I kept pushing it off, except that I would rather spend my days off doing, well, ANYTHING else. You’re right though. Detection and prevention are key.
I don’t even wanna think about a colonoscopy…
Rock Chef
September 6, 2012 at 9:57 am
Well done. Can’t really add to what Agg79 said!
shadowrun300
September 6, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Yeah, can’t argue with any of that. Thanks RC.
Abby
September 6, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Atta GIRL!! I think you now need to go reward yourself with something. I so understand how easy it is to just shove that little prescription note somewhere out of sight and out of mind. Maybe the doctors should make the reminders more annoying?
But really, we know we should do these things, as unpleasant and inconvenient as they seem. But compared to dealing with cancer, it’s a day at the park. Similarly as compared to dealing with a colonoscopy… ?
shadowrun300
September 6, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Ahh….yes! I deserve a reward. Something other than the mint, emery board and pen that I received from the doc. Those were nice and everything, but I deserve more! Maybe I’ll take a trip!
No more talk about colonoscopies please. One thing at a time.
towardshealthylife
September 7, 2012 at 3:41 am
loll I am just as bad as you are. Fortunatly the doctor does all the check like that on my yearly check up so I don,t need another apointment but wait now that I have started to work there a lot of stuff that will pile up!
shadowrun300
September 7, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I know! Especially with the kind of work you do. It’s difficult to take a day off to get to the doctor, and for that kind of test, it’s very easy to use work as an excuse.
meleahrebeccah
September 9, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Woot! Glad you got it over with! Atta girl!
shadowrun300
September 10, 2012 at 1:25 am
Me too! I should have a few more years now of not having to worry about it! 🙂
territerri
September 13, 2012 at 1:56 am
YES you DO! Why is it so hard for us to do these things? They’re quick, and for us lucky ones, they’re painless. I only got my first one done because it was a required procedure before I could have a surgery done. Then after that, I let it go for 4 years, only going back when my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. I SWEAR I’m going to be regular about these things going forward…
shadowrun300
September 13, 2012 at 2:03 am
This was my second one too. My first, at 35, showed an area of concern. I had a surgical biopsy and everything was fine. I think the fact that everything was fine kept me from going again at 40. and 41, and 42. So now, almost 43, I finally got to it! This time my results were good! I plan to stay regular with it too. It really is quick and painless.
Jules
October 1, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Atta girl!!!!!!! Way to go! I definitely will be getting these done regularly when I need to since I kind of have a little history with it. I love the breast place I go to though – they give me warmed towels. 🙂