It’s a taboo subject, off-limits on a multitude of counts. We have heard them called tits, boobies, knockers, bosoms, jugs and many more, unprintable. Breasts are often a child’s first connection with the world. Mothers feel guilt here, no matter which way the wind blows. They didn’t breast feed their children. They didn’t nurse them for long enough. They kept them attached to their breasts for their own needs long after it was healthy for the child. They don’t want to admit that they are still nursing their six-year-old as well as the baby.
This is brilliant. I haven’t read anything this funny since John Irving’s Christmas pageant in “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” Virginia, I absolutely love your writing.
Stickers? Hm never had any of those placed anywhere. Want to try uncomfortable -- go for a mammogram with 8 week old rib fractures. Ugh but as you said it only lasts a second. So glad the technology exists.
Nov 19, 2023·edited Nov 19, 2023Liked by Alice Goldbloom, Virginia Fisher Yaffe
A nurse explained to me recently that the trick to those gowns is to tie the ties first and then slip them over your head. It worked. And I wondered why nobody had ever said to me, "Tie before you put it on."
Ginny I howled.
Thank you. Your bosom buddy, Kristin
This is brilliant. I haven’t read anything this funny since John Irving’s Christmas pageant in “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” Virginia, I absolutely love your writing.
Stickers? Hm never had any of those placed anywhere. Want to try uncomfortable -- go for a mammogram with 8 week old rib fractures. Ugh but as you said it only lasts a second. So glad the technology exists.
Hilarious! It made my morning. Thank you.
I LOVE this. Laughed several times. The Reader's Digest was right. Laughter is the best medicine.
As a breast cancer survivor I’m so glad when women go. It’s such a little discomfort for getting info we all need. Congrats on getting it done
Ginny
I could hear your voice while reading your written words which made it very funny despite the fact that mammograms are definitely not !
Great piece, but the state-of-the-art machines no longer require stickers. My provider has had the 3-D mammo machines for several years now.
Happy to have coffee with you anytime.
A delightful, capturing of the mental, emotional, and physical experience of a less than delightful women’s ritual. I wish you good results.
A nurse explained to me recently that the trick to those gowns is to tie the ties first and then slip them over your head. It worked. And I wondered why nobody had ever said to me, "Tie before you put it on."
You've captured the experience perfectly!
What a great piece of writing. Thanks.