I had a mammogram scheduled this week, and I wasn’t just dreading it.
I was petrified of it.
And this was not the only time I felt terror for a simple test.
I spent months coughing over the summer and I avoided every X ray I was offered.
You see, when you spend years as a caregiver seeing death, destruction and lives completely changed through disease you are terrified of a simple diagnostic test.
You have what I call Medical diagnosis phobia.
I came up with this term as nothing else was close to describing the fear when I enter a diagnostic machine of any kind.
This letter may not be as poetic as all the others, but it is equally important.
I want to ask you to be brave when it comes to these diagnostic tests.
I know how scary it is to have them.
Doing the mammogram this week was not fun but afterwards I went and found myself the most tasty vegan cauliflower and potato pie and celebrated my courage.
I was proud of myself for getting the test done regardless of the terror.
I don’t use the word terror lightly.
For people like you and I, who have seen as much as we have it is terrifying to go back to the battle grounds.
Today I will ask you to do just that.
Then, either reply to this message just to tell me you did it, so I can celebrate with you.
Or if you are reading this blog on social media, please write in the comment area that you called your doctor or scheduled your test.
I want you to live a healthy and long life.
You and I still have a big life to live and work to do here on earth.
Let’s keep each other alive.
I know I can’t take the fear away on that day, but I can share my fears with you so you never feel alone when you go back to the battle ground.
With diagnosis phobia and love for my life,
Christina
P.S. I hope you are listening in: www.dearlifepodcast.com/episodes
PPS. And if you are looking for life changing gifts for your family and friends I hope you gift them Second Firsts and Where Did You Go?
