A very good friend of mine had always followed the guidelines of doing the self breast exams and going in for the annual physical
. She felt like she was doing everything she could to make sure she caught the possibility of cancer early so that she could be around for her family. Then she got into her forties and felt that the advice was to go in for a mammogram to be safe. She figured that nothing would be found since she had done all she was supposed to over the years. She went in for the mammogram and they found a lump. She said that she wasn't prepared for that and the shock that followed was very difficult for her and her family.
It wasn't her regular doctor and she felt like the people she worked with didn't really have much help to offer her. She said that she felt alone and pretty lost as to what to do next. After a little searching she was recommended to a place that worked with women that were facing cancer. She felt like she had instant friends and they walked her through step by step of what she needed to do. They helped her get with the right doctors and work through the process.
By the end of the process she felt like she had some of the dearest friends in these nurses and doctors. They cared about her and wanted her to make it through. They didn't only want her to make it through, but they want to see her have a healthy life and a bright future. She said that there are so many different things you go through at that point that it is important to be in an environment that is friendly and supportive.
She was telling me that if she had to do that all over again that she would go to a place that was specialized in helping women from routine screenings to the procedures that happen to diagnosing cancer and even helping with the follow through of getting the right cancer treatment. I asked her if there were places like that and she said that there are and it is amazing what they can do for you. She said that whether you live in Phoenix or Salt Lake you will find medical imaging centers that will do your mammograms and be your friend and not leave you out in the dark.