Many of you 8+ year EO veterans may remember the Rene' half of terryandrene. Once again we thank those of you that responded to her breast cancer episode with cards, flowers, prayers and support for the ordeal through which we went. Rene' had not had a mammogram for about a dozen years prior to becoming eligible for the Medicare "welcome aboard Physical" in 2005. This physical provides the Medicare program with a new member's health baseline and covers just about every test that a Primary Care Physician can think of. The results of the mammogram exam revealed several small areas in one breast that deserved a closer look. The resulting biopsies revealed some benign and some malignant areas, none of which could be felt with the self, or husband, exams. Then the consultation with five oncologists began. After talking with Chemo, radiation and surgical teams, Rene' decided that a mastectomy was the best choice for her. The thought was "better to hit a home run that try to steal second base" The surgery was successful and with prosthetics Rene's outward appearance is normal and so is her mental state for the choices made...life go's on.
For Rene', her mammogram was the beginning of a life saving event; at the very least the timing of it prevented a life of misery later. For the male readers, let's be thankful they don't use the same machine for the prostate exam.