(43-113) The Results Are In...

I think I did a very good job of remaining calm, despite the potentially bad news that I was awaiting.  I refused to let negative thoughts consume me; and I chose to take my friend Jimmy's advice instead, and pray.

My cousin, Jackie called to check on me after reading "The Glass Is Half Full," and I was moved to tears over her concern for me.  I told her that I thought that my doctor's office would have contacted me weeks ago if something was wrong; and that this was probably just a mishap. 

Around 1130, I still hadn't heard from my doctor's office, so I gave them a call.  The receptionist checked my records and told me that my last mammogram results were from October 2009 and that they hadn't received anything from the radiologist recently.  She told me to call the radiologist and have them fax the results over.  I called the radiology office and asked for the office manager, but this person was not going to be until 5pm.  I explained EVERYTHING to Brenda, the lovely woman that had taken my call; and she assured me that she would fax my results to my doctor and call me back once the fax went through.

It was an hour later when Brenda called.  Brenda explained that her contract with my doctor's office required test results to be hand delivered to them and according to their records, my results were deliveres on November fifth.  Brenda told me the name of the person who had signed for the results and went on to say that my doctor's office had no idea what had happened to that delivery.  My doctor's office agreed that Brenda could fax my results over, and Brenda told me to follow up with them in a half hour.

This was becoming a comedy of errors; unfortunately there was nothing funny about it.  I waited a little more than a half hour and called my doctor's office.  I asked to speak to the office manager, but she was on her way to a short meeting, and the receptionist advised me that she'd call me back when she returned.  I told the receptionist that I also needed a nurse to call me back with my test results, and she said that if I'd hold on, she would get a nurse on the phone with me now.  I was on hold for over five minutes when the receptionist came back and said that she couldn't find a nurse.  The receptionist asked me to leave a message on the office managers voice mail, and said that she could have a nurse call me as well.

Within 15 minutes, Diane the office manager called me back.  I explained what had happened, and how someone had signed for my test results, but they were no where to be found.  Diane was very compassionate and aptly apologetic.  She was also quite disturbed because there must have been other people whose test results were misplaced as well.  I asked Diane if she could have a nurse call me with my test results, but she told me that she had them and that everything was negative and I was absolutely fine.  Hallelujah!! 

I knew in my heart that there was nothing wrong; and maybe that's why I  was able to remain positive.  As soon as I hung up with Diane, I called Luis to let him know that I was OK; and I texted Jackie. 

It is my 113th day of being 43 and I am delighted to say that  I have a clean bill of health.  What a fantastic way to celebrate my 250th post of "The Bumpy Ride."
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-112) The Glass Is Half Full

When I wrote "BOOBS," on October 27; I told you that I had gotten my annual mammogram done.  The radiology center that I go to always has us complete a self-addressed postcard so that they can send us a quick note to give us peace of mind that all is well.  Or at least those are always the kind of postcards that I'd received from them in the past.

I've been watching my mail, but to date I haven't received a card, so I was starting to get a little worried.  Now my mail carrier is not the best by a long shot and several times I've gotten someone else's mail, so I thought it could be very possible that someone else had gotten my card.  Just to be on the safe side, I called the radiology center and had a rather frustrating experience.

When I first called I got a man on the line.  I said "Hello" and started to say "I was there on October 27 for my annual mammogram," to which he mechanically said "what do you need ma'am?"  And I replied "Well, I was trying to tell you before you interrupted me."  I then went on to explain that I hadn't received a postcard from them, so I was just calling to follow up and he blandly said "hold on," and transferred my call.

A woman picked up the line, and again I stated my purpose for calling, but before I could finish, the woman interjected "So you need to re-schedule your appointment?"  I said "No."  And then asked what was wrong with the listening skills of their personnel.  I re-stated my reason for calling, and the woman was extremely apologetic.  The woman said that she would look into the matter and someone would call me back.

Within about fifteen minutes I got a call back and the woman advised that they'd found my test results, but she couldn't tell me what they were; however, she suggested that I call my doctor.  She also said that the cards were being sent out and she apologized for the delay, and the earlier misunderstanding.

To say that I was nervous, would be an understatement.  I wasted no time and promptly called my doctor's office.  I had to leave a message and the receptionist said that the doctor or her assistant would call me back.  I asked if it would be today, but was told that it might not be until tomorrow.  I tired to remain calm, and didn't want to think the worst.  I ran over all of the possible scenarios in my head.  Maybe she told me to call my doctor because it was bad news.  Perhaps she was trying to be nice and thought the doctor could tell me that everything was OK, quicker than I'd get the card in the mail; or maybe she was trying to worry me unnecessarily for pointing out how rude she and her co-worker had been.  At this point I can't say which reason it was, because sadly I have yet to hear from the doctor or her assistant.

For the most part, I find imagination to be a wonderful thing and I use mine quite regularly; BUT imagination can also be a breeding ground for fear.  If we allow our negative imagination to get the better of us; we can drive ourselves crazy, and that's certainly not what I want; so I've made the conscious decision to believe the glass is half full.  I don't want to dwell on the possibility of a problem; when there might not be one at all. Now taking this stance doesn't come naturally to me, because I'm prone to worrying; but I don't want to waste my energy on that.  Although it would be simple for me to fear the worst; there's also a chance that all is well; and that the woman that I spoke with was trying to help me get the fastest results possible.  Worrying needlessly is a waste of time and energy and since I have neither to spare, I'm going to focus on the fact that  I am surrounded by love and positivity and  I'm going to savor every minute of it.  Please send your love, good thoughts and positive energy my way.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING