pictures, page two

here's what it looks like to get a mammogram. the difference with this machine is that there is an open rectangle with a grid -- which helps the radiologist locate the calcifications based on a magnified mammogram. sofia is our guide and savior, operating this machine. the blue stuff is the dye that they insert into the tissue later to mark it for the surgeon. the black panel in the back is the film. you may think this hurts, but for me, it doesn't hurt at all:

and below is the magnified mammogram from that view. you can see the grid above in the picture. the radiologist then comes in and inserts a needle into the area of calcifications, with the help of this mammogram and the grid: