Interesting reading re mammograms

I follow a number of blogs on breast cancer - others too, although perhaps not as intensely - and this one, www.uneasypink.com, 
has an interesting post on mammograms.
A comment on the posting, led me to this article which has a long, long intro I merely glossed over, well skipped, to be honest, but the body of the piece is interesting: interesting article, if old, from the new yorker re mammograms
I would never not go for an annual mammogram but do know they are not the be-all and end-all; I found a lump on the side of my chest (later found to be a lymph node, plus there was another I didn't feel in the shower that morning innocently washing myself) - and that was under two months of having a mammogram and been given the "all clear, come back in a year" schpiel.
I always wondered if the doctor was negligent, if the ultrasound scan post the mammogram was done properly, and had two surgeons check out my entire file from the radiologist (I walked in and demanded it, as the one surgeon advised me to do, saying he might have a problem getting it) but in the end, it didn't seem anyone was negligent and even if they were, well, I had cancer and I had to deal with it, didn't I?
Much much later I asked the oncologist if the cancer had developed within that time period. He said no, that it had been in my body probably for six to nine months but undetected. Plus I felt fabulous at the time.
Still feel shocked about it all when I think about it, and it's three years later and I am fine thank goodness.

Arm ok!

After my suiciidal rant last night, arm ok. Lymph Lady says it has changed shape, can see the difference, but she thinks its from the weights I am doing at gym. Seeing her again next week to be sure. But no sleeve for now!!
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Cannot believe it has come to this

My arm is fakked. Totally. I have worked so hard to avoid getting lymphedema and now it looks like it has swelled by centimetres, rather than the usual millimetres when it got bad in the past.
The Lymph Lady was away this week - was meant to see her on Monday but she changed it to tomorrow - and saw no point in seeing anyone else for treatment because what I need is sane advice from someone who knows where my arm is - well, it's progression over the last three years.
I am extremely upset. That is putting it mildly. I am horrified. And I am still ok 'cos not wearing compression sleeve. Pretty sure I will be after tomorrow but it has been driving me insane with itchiness so haven't worn it this week.
I feel that if I have to wear a compression sleeve it will be the end of my life as I know it. Yes, I am alive. Yes, I don't have cancer. But wearing a sleeve every day? I won't go to gym with longsleeved tops, not in this heat, I don't want to go out being compromised in what I can and cannot wear, I don't wanna do anything except maybe move to the North or South Pole where it is freezing and I can wear warm clothes and gloves all day and night and nobody can see the damn compression sleeve.