New Service in the Shaare Tzedek Mammography Clinic

I thanked the doctor  in the Shaare Tzedek Mammography Clinic for "reading me" perfectly. B"H, all is well, in case you were wondering...  The doctor informed me that if I "need" reminding that it's time to make my next appointment, just tell the clerks when leaving, and they'll make sure I get a reminder call.

Perfect service for procrastinators like myself whose "annual" mammography ends up more like biennial or at best a year and a half after the previous one. I've had this deal with the dentist for years, and now at the dentist I make my appointments even almost a year in advance.

The waiting room was a cross-section of Jerusalemites, Jewish, Arab, religiously dressed and less so. Some of the Arab women were accompanied by a male who translated for them, otherwise men, even among the staff, were rarely seen. And I must say that the staff members were all kind, gentle and understanding.

Everyone sitting and waiting looked worried and tense. I had one of the first appointments of the day, so I didn't see the various expressions of the women as they walked out after the tests and consultation, but no doubt that some had broad smiles, while others need our prayers.

Refuah shleimah,  a complete and speedy recovery to all who need it.

Statistics Ok

Today, one of Israel's top surgeons was here for the annual "breast check." The female members of Kupat Cholim Le'umit have no excuse. The doctor comes here every year.

I mentioned to him something that had me worried. Three women on my street, same side of the street, have been diagnosed with breast cancer in recent years. OK, not all are the same age, and all grew up in very different parts of the world, but today, they're all on the same street. And it's my street.

He said that he looks at the bigger picture, all of the women in Shiloh, how many, what ages and how many have been diagnosed with breast cancer. That's where our statistics look perfectly fine to him.

Of course, we mustn't forget that statistics represent people. People get sick not numbers.

Please pray for a full speedy and complete recovery, refuah shleimah, for Yifat bat Dina, and all others in need.