"Comforted at Breast Screening appointment"

I have just been for my first breast screening and want to recognise the lovely staff who looked after me.

From the minute I walked in the door, the receptionist was lovely, she then directed me to the waiting area. (So reassuring to see how seriously social distancing and hygiene were being considered within the waiting area.)

Mostly, I want to praise Bonnie, the nurse who then took me through for my screening. We often hear “couldn’t do enough for me”. That expression is so fitting. 

Bonnie explained clearly exactly what would be happening and ensured I understood. And that I was content to proceed.

I suffer from anxiety in general, and the pandemic has only heightened that feeling. That coupled with the fear of the unknown about how I would feel during this, the fact that I very rarely leave my home, plus the shame about how I look (having to get undressed for this check) all resulted in me feeling very faint. Wee Bonnie recognised this almost immediately and put on air conditioning - that might not seem much but it is huge, not least because I suspect it was that action that stopped me having a panic attack.

Bonnie was then exceptionally patient throughout and seemed to fully understand my (over)reaction.

She clearly has timescales to meet and briefly left the room, returning with a colleague to help her with me. Maggie was also lovely. I did feel more uncomfortable having another person there but I understand they have limited time with each patient.

All in all, a great first experience of the breast screening programme and I’m sure that was helped hugely by Bonnie’s understanding of my extreme anxiety,

As a side note, 

I truly believe we are exceptionally privileged to be afforded the opportunity to have such screenings in this country. I’ve heard others moan that the screening wasn’t offered immediately on turning 50! 

We are in the middle of a pandemic and the staff are clearly working very hard to ensure our safety, comfort and wellbeing. They are doing a remarkable job under very difficult, largely unknown circumstances and the health service is now catching up with non-urgent testing. 

I really do not envy health service staff having to deal with such disgruntled people!!