Tags
Angelina Jolie, breast screening, cupcakes, Gossard wonderbra, Mammary gland, mammogram, mastectomy, Monte Carlo, Papua New Guinea, Suttonford
It was that week which rolled around with surprising speed every three
years.
Yes, every female of a certain age received the summons to come on down
to Suttonford’s nearest town hospital in order to have their mammary glands
squeezed so hard that it couldn’t have been more painful if they had been
trapped in a bank vault’s door. It was called Breast Screening.
However, it was quite a social occasion and neighbours who hadn’t seen
hide nor hair of each other in as much time gone by, greeted one another,
either with false bonhomie, or with deep embarrassment.
Then they were subjected to unknown levels of radioactivity.
Carrie was telling me that she met Brassica and Chlamydia there and then
they all went for coffee afterwards and burst out laughing when they had
cupcakes with raspberries on top.
It was an expression of relief, no doubt.
They also started talking about my poem, which was entirely fictional, but
had been written about a woman who might have come to terms with
necessary surgery which saved her life, but disfigured her body. Everyone
else was embarrassed, but she was just relieved and wanted to get on with
her life.
Like I imagine that brave Angelina Jolie behaving? suggested Brassie.
Maybe, replied Clammie. How did the poem go?
Carrie recited it. She has a better memory than I do. But who has the better
mammaries? Ah, that’s debatable. We don’t flaunt them much nowadays, but
like that Gossard Wonderbra model who gained the older woman respect and even
admiration, it might surprise everyone how shapely we still are!
KEEPING ABREAST
After my mastectomy, I was duly asked,
‘one lump or two?’…and then a pregnant pause ensued.
Swollen with deep embarrassment, glibness unmasked,
The hostess halted her outpouring; the tea stewed.
‘Actually, I have none.’ – Discomfiture again.
(my voice as brittle as her porcelain cup and plate).
And one misguided ‘friend’ tried to conceal my pain –
‘she’s on a diet and has lost a lot of weight’.
‘Yes, I’ve just been picking up a new bikini.
I’ve thought of Monte Carlo for my autumn week’.
‘Or bust!’ said a girl whose breasts were like zucchini.
(My silicon implants provoke a good deal of pique).
‘Well, Papua New Guinea sounds like fun,’ I quipped.
My wit was rising like some vast protuberance.
‘Let’s say I keep my cards close to my chest’. Tight-lipped,
my hostess said, ‘we usually go to France’.
Candia Comes Clean 