Mammogram

[Jones]

I was just called back to to re do my mammogram, which is causing me some anxiety. I know that call backs are common but I was wondering just how common. So I figured TE is the perfect place to help me put my mind at ease. Please take my poll and let me know if you have ever been called back.

[snapdragen]

Been called back two or three times, twice for an ultrasound. I know it's scary, and your mind is just running away with all of the "what ifs" right now. Try to stay calm, breathe, ride your bike.

Whatever the outcome - it will be OK.

[solobiker]

I was just called back too.

[Catrin]

I am called back almost every time - I have a very deep cyst that changes size from time to time. Even though I expect it - the call-back does cause a little anxiety.

[tulip]

I was called back about five years ago, when I was 38. It definitely had that potential to freak me out, but I decided to remain calm and not worry about it until more was known. I had ultrasound, and it was determined that I have fibrocystic disease (kinda lumpy breast tissue), which I already knew. My mother has it, too.

Since then, I have had yearly mammos with no further callbacks.

Fortunately, breast cancer does not run in my family, so I am not considered high risk. Well, my grandmother's mother had it, but that's considered too far back to be much of a risk, and I don't have any of the other common risk factors (never smoked, never been obese, never taken hormones, never had problem periods, not menopausal).

[mudmucker]

I think it's fairly common. I've been called back 3 times over the last 9 years, twice with ultrasound. I had one surgical biopsy. I don't freak out although my maternal grandmother died from breast cancer. I always say "why borrow trouble " by worrying stressfully in the interim about inconclusive data. Worrying isn't going to change a result. You get a result, then ultimately must move forward regardless of the outcome.

[emily_in_nc]

I have never been called back but am happy to learn that it is common, just in case it ever happens to me. I'm assuming that it is most often a false positive. My maternal grandmother had breast cancer very late in life, so I do worry about this disease to some extent.

[ivorygorgon]

I have been called back. Once, a month ago, I had to have an ultrasound. Yes, it is scary, but I guess I would rather know I have cancer and get it treated than leave it untreated.

My ultrasound showed 3 benign cysts. Nothing to worry about :)

[colorisnt]

I am sure you are scared right now, but the good news (as those above have said), it's really common.

I have never had a mammogram yet or been called back, but my mother got a call back and had to go and have an ultrasound. We have a history of it in our family, so they were being super cautious. It was just a fibrous tissue and she is fine.

We were all really scared. This comes on the heels of my Dad being told he may have prostate cancer. Thankfully, it was a pre-cancerous sort of situation and they caught it early. So, it does happen, but as this problem in stats I just did this week in class shows, about 94% of people screened who have to be re-screened are okay (if this is still accurate I don't know, but I doubt it changes THAT much).

[marni]

as someone who has been called back multiple times, I went through that anxiety the first time but then figured out it was pretty common.

I have no history of breast cancer in my family at least as far back as my great grandmothers, but if you have been following my thread venting about a lost month, you will see that is not necessarily a guarantee of anything.

Take a deep breath, ride your bike, stay optomistic and feel thankful that they are calling you back and doing due diligence.

[pfunk12]

I was called back after my first mammogram. I ended up having surgery because they were concerned about some abnormalities that they saw. It turned out that they were just calcium deposits. But like Muirenn said, they had nothing to compare it to because it was my first mammogram.

[malkin]

Never (yet) for a mamm, but last year I "flunked" my pap smear and had to go back for a more uncomfortable procedure with a fancier name. Everything was fine.

[Biciclista]

good grief, look at those statistics!

[OakLeaf]

That's why I encourage everyone to read, read, read and read more. And be selective about what you read (peer reviewed and NOT sponsored by drug or imaging companies).

Jones, sending good wishes that everything turns out fine and that you're able to find calm in all of this. If it is fine, I'd really encourage you (and everyone else here) to treat it as a wake-up call, and have at least a direction in mind, if not a firm decision, on each step of the way.

Decisions that will affect the quality of your life forever deserve to be made from a position of information, calm and strength - not fear - so IMO the best time to make those decisions is BEFORE you get a test, let alone a scary test result.

I know my decisions are unpopular, but they are NOT a judgment on anyone else's decisions, and I DON'T believe that everyone who is well-informed will necessarily make the same decisions I have. I just believe that everyone should be well-informed. Informed with research, not with advertising.

[Norse]

Yes here too. Called back and ultrasound showed fibrous tissue. My sister, who very large breasts, has been called back several times. Because of her size, she almost needs regular ultrasound screenings rather than mammos.

[nscrbug]

Yup, I was called back on my last mammo back in May. They did a diagnostic mammo and an ultrasound...found a cyst. Now I have to go back for an ultrasound every 6 months to monitor it.

[channlluv]

I've been called back, too, and it was because the tech who did the test the first time didn't get a good enough sample of breast tissue, or there was chest wall muscle in it or something. Hurt like h-e-double hocky sticks. I nearly fainted, but that's the only time that's happened. Every subsequent test I've had to take has been squishy-but-not-faint-inducing, and they've all been clear since.

I have a paternal half-aunt who died of breast cancer about 15 years ago, so I'm aware of the genetic potential, but not overly concerned. I'm facing so many other more pressing health issues.

Actually, I do need to schedule another mammogram. It's been a couple of years since I had one.

Jones, good luck to you. I love Oak's advice.

Roxy

[solobiker]

I go for my second one next week. I have not thought about it too much even though my Mom had breast cancer, my brother had cancer and so did several other relatives. I am sure on the day I go back I will be a little apprehensive but right now there is nothing I can do about it except wait. I am going in with the attitude that it is most likely nothing. Good luck to you Jones.

[Melalvai]

Did you see Fat Cyclist today, "Yes, Ma'am-o-gram (http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/10/29/yes-maam-o-gram/)"? Philly Jen's mammogram caught a small early stage tumor.

[indigoiis]

Been called back, poked, prodded, biopsied, slapped around, and then called back again. But the older I get, the less they call. Typical! :p

[Crankin]

I've been called back twice, maybe 3 times? It's always been because they just couldn't see enough.

[snapdragen]

Never (yet) for a mamm, but last year I "flunked" my pap smear and had to go back for a more uncomfortable procedure with a fancier name. Everything was fine.

Colposcopy -- big fun, been there too. Had a LEEP too....such adventures.:rolleyes:


Been called back, poked, prodded, biopsied, slapped around, and then called back again. But the older I get, the less they call. Typical! :p

Isn't it always like that! :D

[bmccasland]

I've been called back for an Ultrasound. Didn't help that I'm in a high risk group because my Mother had breast cancer. But the women's clinic folks were really great, and the radiologist, via the tech gave me the results immediately, so when I left I marched myself over to to an ice-cream parlor for treat. Seems like when I've moved, getting the old films has been difficult - nothing to compare to, so radiologists are more wary about reading "nothing to worry about". Guess I have that to look forward to, as I didn't get my films before I left Louisiana. Or maybe with things being digital now, they're easier to transfer.

So when I've been called back, part of the reason was that I was:
1) high risk
2) new to the radiology clinic
3) they didn't have prior films to compare

Yes I have a strange bit of tissue, and it's been that way, without changes for years. Nothing to see here, move along, move along. :cool:

[KnottedYet]

Both grandmothers died of breast cancer, one aunt has had pre-cancerous breast lesions removed, and I've already had one form of cancer; you'd think I'd've been called back at least once by now.

Nope.

Never have I been so thankful for floppy-saggy-easily-squished post-baby boobs!

Squashed out like pancakes, no, like crepes! Fabulous clear images and pain-free to boot!

Lots of studies have tied call-backs to imaging issues rather than weird findings. Spend 4 years of your life breast-feeding, gain and lose 50 pounds every so often, and voila -- the imaging problems just disappear! ;)

[Jones]

Thanks for the great replies. They really did help. I re test Monday and I feel confident that there will be no issues and if there are I can handle it. I will let you all know the outcome.
Jones

[Jones]

So, I'm back to being anxious. They did the super squishy mammo, and then called me in for an ultrasound and now I have to go back for a needle biopsy. I should get the results next Monday or Tuesday.

[tulip]

(((((Jones)))))

[solobiker]

{{{Jones}}} So sorry you have to go through this.:(

I go back for my second one this afternoon.

[Jones]

Thanks Ladies. Good luck solobiker.

[ScaldedCat]

I've never had a mammogram, women aren't routinely tested here under the age of fifty. I can imagine getting a call back could be a worry, especially if there was a family history.


I did get called back 3 times over a period of a few months for a cervical smear a few years ago, they failed to get a good sample to screen on 3 occasions and I was sent for a colposcopy to be on the safe side which was clear.
I've since had 2 successful normal smears in 2007 and 2010.

[snapdragen]

So, I'm back to being anxious. They did the super squishy mammo, and then called me in for an ultrasound and now I have to go back for a needle biopsy. I should get the results next Monday or Tuesday.

Well h3ll, that sucks. Hang in there, try to keep calm, we're all thinking about you.

[OakLeaf]

(((((Jones)))))

Hang in there.

Be aware that your surgeon will probably not be present for the biopsy. It's all handled by a radiologist and a tech or two.

If you're at all anxious about the procedure, get your surgeon to prescribe you a trank to take before you go in. All I could get out of mine was a .25 mg Xanax, which was enough to keep me from chewing my b00b off to get out of the machine, but ONLY enough for that.

They let me bring wear my iPod and I was really, really, really glad I had it - both for the calming effect of the playlist I'd picked, and just to drown out the radiologist and the techs talking.

Don't leave without making sure they give you good pain meds. It might be best to get the scrip from your surgeon ahead of time. You'll be long gone before the local wears off, and do NOT let them send you out of there with the advice to just take ibuprofen.

You should be fine to bicycle over smooth roads within two to three days, and run (if you run) within a week or less. What will take more time is anything that uses much arm movement. This is much longer than what my surgeon told me (and I have a pretty high pain threshold).

Take good care. I'll be thinking about you, and sending good vibes that everything's okay. (As you know, statistically most of them are benign.)

[solobiker]

{{{{Jones}}}}} Sending you positive energy.

[marni]

see my post about venting frustration over a lost month and my post tonight about the finale. Just to give you another point of view.

Personally I love my post menopausal, post baby, squishy fried eggs sliding toward my belly button.

Hope the news is everything clear.

[ClockworkOrange]

(((((Jones)))))

I have always been fortunate and never called back but I can so understand how nervous it must make anybody feel.

Wishing you well with your results.

Wonder why the Poll was closed?

Hugs

Clock

[snapdragen]

(((((Jones)))))

Wonder why the Poll was closed?

Hugs

Clock

When a poll is set up, you can set a time for it to close, I assume that's what Jones did. :cool:

[Jones]

When I set the poll up I just set it with the default options, I thought this would all be long behind me by now. I did find the results very interesting and soothing. It is one thing when the professionals tell you the odds and another when you community proves it.

[Jones]

I just called my Dr.s and got the all clear. Thank you all for your support, it has been extremely helpful to me. This entire process is so scary, they move you from one test to the next so fast it rattles you. I'm used to the Dr. telling you to get a test and then waiting weeks for an opening not days or hours. I know they do it to reduce anxiety but when your not used to it it creates anxiety.
I am thrilled with the result, my mind is now at ease and I just want to thank you all again for being there for me.
Jones:)

[snapdragen]

Excellent news Jones! :D:cool::D

[OakLeaf]

Phew, so happy for you. :)

[ClockworkOrange]

I just called my Dr.s and got the all clear. Thank you all for your support, it has been extremely helpful to me. This entire process is so scary, they move you from one test to the next so fast it rattles you. I'm used to the Dr. telling you to get a test and then waiting weeks for an opening not days or hours. I know they do it to reduce anxiety but when your not used to it it creates anxiety.
I am thrilled with the result, my mind is now at ease and I just want to thank you all again for being there for me.
Jones:)

Hey Jones, that's is super news, I am so happy for you, so now is the time to go and throw something in the air............or maybe just go out and celebrate.



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5165190420_4daf0d13c9.jpg

Take care.

Clock

[emily_in_nc]

Fantastic! So happy to hear it.

Heading off for a mammogram next Monday...urgh. :(

[solobiker]

Wooooo Hooooooo!! Great news!!:D