This is cutting into my "Xander Time".

Six months seems to have flown by and it's already time for another appointment with my oncologist. It dawned on me yesterday that I am supposed to be getting a diagnostic mammogram done before I see him. So I phoned to make an appointment. But of course it can't be so easy.

Because I need a diagnostic mammogram, not just a regular screening mammogram I need a doctor's requisition. Of course this cannot be faxed over with phone instructions. I must go into the office and have him hand me a physical piece of paper so that he can get his hundred bucks from the government.

I have an appointment next week with my doctor to get the results from my MRI but I know the last time I booked a mammogram it took quite a while to get in. And since I've known for six months that Dr Bishop's office will be calling in April for my return visit, I figured I'd better be ready, so I'd best not delay the appointment another week.

I squeezed in an appointment before work yesterday. Turns out there's a medical student working alongside my doctor. Rather than just being handed a form, it becomes a long drawn out procession of descriptions of breasts and how to examine them and the procedures to take if the situation is suspect. It was all interesting enough, but I really didn't have time for it.

I got my requisition from the doctor and took the stairs to the lower floor to the mammography clinic. Ooops. I forgot to get the nurse to print a label with my name on it ... back up the stairs I go. No medical procedures can be booked without a printed label.

The whole thing just seems ridiculous to me. The mammography clinic has my records on file. They know I had breast cancer and surgery. They are the ones who told me I require a diagnostic mammogram. And yet there are all these hoops and paperwork to contend with. I cannot imagine what additional costs this adds to the overburdened medical system.

Turns out they have an opening next Wednesday morning, so I book it. This is one day after my MRI results appointment with my doctor, after which I will need to see a surgeon.

I should just buy a monthly parking pass.