Fighting Breast Cancer

Michael and I flew to Atlanta, GA at the invitation of Aunt Denise and Uncle Pete.  Since 9/11, we all know that the security situation at the airport has been dreadful.  The lines are long; people are rushed and impatient.  While standing in line at the security check, I was experiencing hot flash after hot flash.  I was dressed in layers for the flight because I get cold in the air.  I was uncomfortable and irritable because I had to keep taking my sweater off as the flashes would come and then put it back on when the cold air would hit my sweaty, puffy body. 

By the time we reached the x-ray machines, I was pissed.  At nothing in particular;  I was just pissed.

There were two TSA workers managing our particular machine.  I removed my shoes and placed them in the bucket that the first TSA worker provided.  I took off my sweater (again) and threw it on top of my shoes.  Finally, I removed my baseball hat and revealed my shiny, bald, sweaty head and placed it on top.  In my t-shirt and skirt I walked through the metal detecter and stood waiting for my things to be x-rayed.

That’s when it happened:  The TSA working on the receiving end of the x-ray machine (I will refer to him as “Jerk Face”) pulled me aside and demanded that I undo the bandage that was covering the picc-line cathater in my arm.  I explained to Jerk Face that I could not uncover the dressing because exposing the site to the air could expose it to infection.  Plus, I didn’t have any spare dressings with me. 

Jerk Face:  “Then you can’t go to your gate.” 

Me: ”Maybe I’m not being clear.  I have cancer.  This is a picc-line cathater.  It’s not anything dangerous.”

Jerk Face:  “Pick line what?  I don’t know what that is.  You could be hiding drugs in there for all I know!”

Just as I was getting ready to summon my supernatural menopausal strength and make this guy pay, the first TSA worker took Jerk Face aside and told him to, “…chill out, Dude.  Can’t you see she’s got cancer?”

Jerk face is lucky.  His friend saved him from one hell of an ass kicking!

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