dodging the bullet

I had a rather unsettling phone call on Monday morning and it wasn't really anything that I could share with you all at the time because I didn't want to worry anyone [ specifically my daughter ] until I knew whether there was anything to worry about
which, as it happens
there isn't

you might remember a couple of weeks ago that I went up to Bendigo for the routine mammogram ... well, I got the call Monday morning informing me that there was an 'area of concern' and that I needed to go back Thursday.
My head may know that nine out of ten call backs turn out to be nothing but my heart wasn't buying it.
In the midst of all the horrific news coming out of the fires, I was sitting here, trying very hard not to obsess about my own health concerns and feeling guilty for being so self-centered in the face of all that loss.
... not a lot of sleep was had, and that's really saying something because I am one of the most chronically sleep deprived people on the planet at the best of times!
I even had to break out some pretty mind-numbing knitting for the waiting room because I kept stuffing up the current lace project, but it was better than sitting there reading ancient women's mags with articles on Brangelina and Keith-and-Nicole.
The first wait wasn't toooo long, then a short visit with a nurse practitioner for all the paperwork, and then into one of those flattering gowns and another waiting room where we all covertly eyed each other nervously. Then in for another [ much more specifically targeted and painful ] mammogram ...
and another wait
and then an ultrasound
and so on
As each woman exited the last office there was either a smile of relief or ... something else ... and we'd all look sadly at each other and hope that particular scene wouldn't be repeated for us.

and finally the news that - for me - all seems to be okay.

I can't fault the care, sensitivity and respect that was demonstrated by all the staff, but still not an experience I want to repeat.

today I'm stiff, sore, battered ... and bruised enough that you'd be forgiven for thinking I've gone three rounds with a heavyweight, but I'm okay and that, for now, is enough

If you're on my side of 50 and haven't been mashed in the last 2 years, go make an appointment
NOW

and finally
THIS was the scene directly over the road from John of God Hospital, Bendigo. A small fire compared to the others this week, but one that came within 2km of the centre of a very large rural city and took everyone completely by surprise.