by Donna Swagerty Shreve
Two weeks previously I had had my scheduled mammogram. The year was 1994. There is a long history of cancer in my family but never breast cancer. The technician kept retaking my X-rays putting me into various positions. I had had mammograms before and I knew this was not the usual. Therefore, I was not surprised when I received that phone call from the doctor’s office that they had found a suspicious lump and further investigation was needed. I was scheduled for a morning appointment for a needle biopsy to determine the nature of my lumps.
In the same time frame, I was scheduling my master’s thesis defense. I had written and rewritten it until finally my master’s thesis had received approval from my lead advisor. My committee of three had to approve the final product for my master’s degree to be official. Somehow I managed to schedule my needle biopsy in the morning in Stockton and my master’s defense in the afternoon in Turlock. This way I only had to take one day off from work. I had always been so reluctant to miss any days out of my classroom. At retirement, I ended up with almost an extra year of credit for the extra vacation days I had accumulated.
I arrived at my morning appointment and was greeted by two doctors. The older doctor was soon to be retiring and the second doctor was taking the opportunity to observe the well known doctor’s techniques before he retired. There was much banter between the two doctors about technique and possibilities of my procedure. The procedure entailed a long needle that was designed to bite into my breast tissue deep within my breast to get a sample from the lumps. I was given a bit of novocaine to numb the area involved. It was still unpleasant but was not excruciating.
At one point the demonstrating doctor said he had missed his spot and needed a more aggressive approach. I had been quiet and cooperative up to this point. I spoke saying maybe he should get a running start by beginning his approach from the hallway and run into the room. They were both shocked when I said anything as they had forgotten I was more than just the vessel for their procedure. They praised me for my patience and even suggested I would be an ideal model for future demonstrations. I declined.
After the procedure was completed, I returned to the car where my husband drove me to Turlock for my afternoon challenge. I was told to go to a certain room where I was met by my three professors who held my fate in their hands. Unfortunately it had been recommended that I leave the breast biopsy and rest at home. Instead I was sitting for my master’s interview.
The novocaine had worn off by this time and I was in pain . I had been deeply poked at least eight times and my left breast was not happy. I also was in my late forties and knew that the exit interview was really just a formality. I was not intimidated which is suppose to be the usual attitude at this point in the process.
I was asked a variety of questions about my master’s thesis and I had to defend myself for at least half an hour. I just wanted to lie down and take a pain pill. After all of the questioning, I was told to go down the hall and wait as they made their final decision about the fate of my master’s thesis. I knew I had passed but I was suppose to play along. I flashed to a movie where Jack Nicholson plays a master’s candidate candidate and goes crazy during his defense exit interview. I believe he even jumped on the table and personally insulted each committee member. It was tempting but I let the images stay inside my head and the questions droned on.
After waiting for 20 minutes down the hall, I was called back into the interview room. They announced with great pomp and circumstance that I had passed. I think they were expecting celebration on my part but I just asked if I could leave. I did mention to one of the committee members that I had had a procedure that morning and wanted to go home to recover.
My biopsy came back with good results in that my lump was benign and I did pass my master’s thesis ordeal. The best part to me was that I only missed one day of school and I could return to my job and carry on without too much damage from my absence.
783 words
8/1/24
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