An okay experience overall

So, my Friday morning needle-poking wasn't terrible. It helped a lot that my doctor is as wonderful as everyone says he is. He was very encouraging and repeated the stats I've read over and over to comfort myself--that the chances are only 1 in 20 that I'll have a malignant nodule.

The visit actually made me realize that despite this frightening experience I am very healthy overall. As a first-time patient I filled out a long questionnaire. Despite my colorful family history, I had no symptoms of any of the garden-variety illnesses. Felt good to write "N/A" next to everything.

And I know I sound like a goofy new-ager when I start talking about yoga, but it really helped me surf the five needle-stickings in my neck--a couple in a sensitive cyst. They numb your skin, but you feel some of what's going on under the surface. The doctor commented several times that I seemed extremely relaxed. In yoga, you learn to pay attention to your pain/comfort level without judging it (within reason, of course).