Page 17 of Derek

“I’m well. Here for my semi-annual torture,” Molly said with a grin.

“You have to come twice a year? That really does sound like torture,” Sonja replied.

“It all depends on your perspective. Having a mammogram is nothing compared to chemo and radiation.”

“I see what you mean. I helped my grandmother through chemo. I would have helped my mother, too, but she died when I was six.” Sonja could barely remember her mother, but she had vivid memories of her grandmother weakened by the chemo.

“I’m so sorry,” Molly said. “I’ll bet they give you the whole nine yards of tests.”

“Yeah, I’m waiting for either the ultrasound or the MRI. Not sure which they’ll do next.”

A woman in scrubs appeared at the door. “Ms. Madden, we’re ready for you in the MRI room.”

Sonja got up. “Nice to see you again. Good luck with your mammogram.”

“Thanks. You, too.”

Sonja followed the technician down the hallway to the elevator. The MRI was in the basement because the equipment was so heavy. As they moved, the woman started asking questions. “Are you wearing any jewelry or other metal? Do you have buttons or a zipper on your pants?”

“No and no. I know the drill. I’ve been here before.” Sonja tried to keep the impatience out of her voice. The other woman was doing her job, after all.

“We have to ask, ma’am.”

“I understand. I also don’t have any implants of any kind. My last period started ten days ago. I don’t have any allergies, and there’s no chance I’m pregnant. Have I remembered everything?” Sonja cocked an eyebrow, anxious for the ordeal to be over.

The technician chuckled. “Almost. Do you have any kidney problems?”

“Nope. I guess I scored ninety-nine percent.”

“Pretty close. Here we are,” the tech said as she opened the door.

They entered the MRI chamber, and the tech had Sonja take a seat so she could give her the contrast dye injection. Once that was done, she helped Sonja out of her gowns and got her into position with her breasts hanging down through specially placed openings. She put the outer robe over Sonja’s back to help with the cold in the room. “We’ll be in the booth over there, andyou can talk to us any time. We’ll ask you to hold your breath periodically, but stay as still as you can all the time.”

“I’ll do my best.” Sonja shifted around until she had the right spots for her arms and head. “I think I’m ready.”

“Great. We’ll get started.”

The rumble of the machines was audible through her earplugs, and Sonja forced herself to relax. She couldn’t do deep breathing, but she still focused on the air coming in through her nose and out of her mouth. She followed the instructions from the control booth without thinking about them.

“All done,” came the voice over the speaker. She immediately shrugged then moved her arms. The tech was with her in a moment and moved her outside the machine. She sat up slowly and put her gowns back on.

“We’ll have the results in a day or so. Your doctor will call you. Let’s get you back upstairs. Are you done now?”

“No, I still have the ultrasound to go,” Sonja answered with a sigh, wishing she could leave the hospital.

“That will go quickly at least.” The tech seemed to catch her mood, and Sonja gave her a grateful smile.

Sonja returned to an empty waiting room and felt somewhat let down that Molly wasn’t still there, but she wasn’t surprised. She had just sat down when a different technician came for her. “Let’s get your ultrasound out of the way so we can both get out of here. You’re my last patient today.”

“How late is it?” Sonja hadn’t even noticed the clock in the waiting room.

“It’s 4:30 on the dot. That’s when I’m supposed to be done, but it didn’t seem fair to reschedule you just because the MRI went long. Besides”—she lowered her voice conspiratorially—“I can always use a little overtime.”

Sonja chuckled a little. She hadn’t realized how long the MRI had lasted and wondered what that might mean in terms of theresults. No matter how calm she appeared, breast screening day scared her down to her bones. Anything out of the ordinary, like a long MRI, added to her unease.

They reached the ultrasound room, and the technician was fast but thorough, finishing in less than fifteen minutes.

The tech said, “Once the radiologist has looked at everything, he’ll send the report to your doctor. Since today is Thursday, your doctor should call you either tomorrow or Monday.”

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