Wednesday, November 27, 2002

Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, every six months I must take a mammogram. My last experience was depressing. My appointment was at 10:30, and I walked out at 12. When I say walked out, that is what I mean.

When I arrived I filled out paperwork and I was finally taken back to a cubicle where I was told to undress and put on a gown. After changing I waited several minutes for instruction where to go to the waiting room. No instructions came.

I asked a lady in the next cubicle where to go. She said you wait here! You see, the dressing room is also the waiting room, a hard bench in an area approximately 3-by-3; you sit there and wait and wait.

Apparently no one at the hospital seems to realize that a mammogram is a scary experience, especially if you are waiting to hear if your cancer has come back, and asking someone to wait on a hard bench in a cold area is not what any woman deserves.

When I was finally called back for the mammogram, three names were called, and clearly the women were not there. The nurse asked who I was, and had anyone called me back. I told the nurse no.

She couldn't find my chart that I had just filled out 45 minutes ago. She didn't have my doctor's name, and apparently no information on me.

The mammogram was finally taken, and I was asked again to wait. At 12 I got dressed and left!

How assured do I feel that my mammogram will be mine, and will it even be correct?

I think women deserve a better treatment than they are given at this breast clinic. A waiting room with chairs would be nice. That way everyone doesn't have to wait for a dressing room to open.

A mammogram isn't the most comfortable procedure. Most women say if a man had to have a mammogram, they would quickly find another procedure.

For my next mammogram I won't go back to the clinic that is five minutes from my home. I will drive to Atlanta, Newnan, any clinic that thinks women deserve a comfortable place to sit while waiting for an uncomfortable procedure. I hope the hospital gets a clue from my letter.

LeGay Saul

Fayette