What About Irene?, 1998.
Collection of artist. $250.

11" x 14"

Text reads:
In August I went for my yearly mammogram. A few days later a nurse called and said I should come back to take another view of my right breast because the tissue made it sort of "hard to read." Because of work schedules and having to make an appointment when the doctor was available I had to wait three weeks to go back.
During that time, I didn't worry too much about breast cancer, most lumps being non-malignant, but maybe my husband did and I was uneasy. I even dreamed about how much I love my breasts.
So I went back three weeks later. Everyone there was solicitous and kind and I waited in a larger dressing room than usual. There was a monitor in there showing a breast self-examination video. I figured they probably show you the breast cancer options video there too.
After 20 minutes, while I waited in a seersucker robe, the doctor, a man in a white lab coat, came in and introduced himself to me. He said he had very good news and a sincere apology. They called the wrong patient. They meant to call Irene Cox and they called me.
Driving away I imagined Irene Cox getting a phone call after her August mammogram saying everything looked great. Then three weeks later, she gets another call. What if she had breast cancer? And it grew for three weeks. What about Irene?

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