Our health is something most of us take for granted. When we’re younger, we don’t actively do much to look after it. But I’m in my 40s, have had a few things happen to me that have made me get a sense of my own mortality, have seen my parents suffer from ailments that can be hereditary, and had a friend die of breast cancer, so I’ve decided it’s time to take care of myself. So on Monday morning, bright and early, I presented myself for my first mammogram. One of the things I really treasure about New Zealand is our health system. Sure there are problems with it, but the fact that there is a free screening programme for all women over 45 is wonderful. Not so much for me, but I am so thankful on behalf of those women who couldn’t afford to be screened otherwise. My taxes at work, in a good way.
When I received my appointment letter though, I was rather confused. It said that the location of my appointment was at the mobile breast screening unit, quote “between Beehive and Parliament Buildings.” The Beehive, for those of you who don’t know, is the executive building of our government, where the Cabinet and Prime Minister have their offices. There’s nothing but a walkway between the Beehive and the Parliament Buildings. It can’t be, I thought.
But no, there I was on Monday morning, topless in a trailer unit parked only a few metres away from the Beehive and the entrance to Parliament. My naked and squashed left breast looking towards the Beehive. My naked and squished right breast looking towards the Parliament Buildings. Thankfully, no one was looking back.
Oh, wow. I can’t even imagine having the country’s most important work going on just meters from my naked boobs.
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How bizarre…
Does it hurt? Or is it just uncomfortable?
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Once I wean this one (ages from now) I’m due for my baseline because of my own family history. So tired of my family history.
Here, the boob vans park in grocery store parking lots. They are pink.
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Joya: I thought you were going to say I can’t even imagine having the country’s most important work going on just meters from the government offices.
My annual is next month. Let me tell you, mammograms are even more fun for flat people!
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Once I wanted to drive a fire engine. Now I want to drive a boob van.
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I am thinking of all the fun things you could do with the exterior of such a van Deloney.
I want to drive a zamboni.
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PS Good one Indigo!
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I second Indigo’s statement about mammograms and being flat — there is a lot of pulling involved.
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love it that the “Beehive” could just as accurately be called the “Boob” … very apropos both as a center of government and a mammogram location.
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Lisa – I’m going to use that, as I’ve also quote IB’s comment.
Yes, there’s a bit of pulling and squishing and painful digging of the equipment, but it lasts no time at all and is worth doing, as I just got a “clear” report.
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