Imagine my surprise yesterday when I went to the Mayo for my bi-lateral ultrasound. When I got to the “special”, second-tier waiting room, I found a laminated one-sheet placed on every single chair. This was unprecedented in all of the years I have been visiting the Mayo, both as a patient and as a caretaker, in AZ and in MN. And what was the message so important for the Mayo to convey to all of its female patients while waiting for their mammograms? They were extolling the medical virtues of 3D mammography, and wanted every woman to know that it is her absolute right to request this test to be assured of the most accurate and detailed results to detect “abnormalities” in her breasts far earlier than with conventional technology. Not to be repetitive, but say what!?!
It was just four short weeks ago that I had to fight my way up the bureaucratic ladder to get an ultrasound after my “conventional” mammo, and made to feel like a major PIA in the process. I guess all’s well that ends well, but it is a strong affirmation to stay up on medical advances and never give up advocating for your (and your loved ones’) medical rights. Ever. Even if it is the Mayo 🙂 And always demand a 3D mammo in the future! You heard it from the Mayo.
So, on a lighter note, I thought I’d share an amusing encounter I had last week when I was held captive in my home by a squadron (yes, squadron, not herd or pack or gang) of javelinas. The one on my page looks kinda sweet and cuddly, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I heard a loud thud and looked out my kitchen window to see our huge garbage cans moving. The recycling receptacle hit the ground, but I couldn’t see what was going on because my view was obstructed by a retaining wall and landscaping. I stood on a chair and saw a dark furry back, and immediately assumed it was coyotes. But then the so-ugly-it’s-cute, smashed-nose face of one of the leaders, weighing in at around 80 lbs, appeared in my window. Yikes. In all, there were about 15 of them, ranging in size from large to newborn. Their odor preceeds them – no joke – even through the window. Being somewhat unschooled on the strategies of what to do when facing a squadron, I banged loudly on the window and yelled at the top of my lungs, and of course Herbie and Roxie pitched in, all to no avail. The papa javelina just looked up at me with an expression that screamed “Really!?” before resuming his feast, completely unfazed.
An hour and a half later, after consuming everything edible and not even close to edible, they sauntered off to their next stop, leaving a trail of trash in their wake, and I was finally free to leave the house.
Oct. 29, 2014
Judy Richter 