tips for better mammogram?

[redrhodie]

I will remember to take an Ibuprofen before. My NP also suggested avoiding caffeine for a few days before, but that might kill me. <3 my coffee. I think caffeine withdrawal is worse than hills. That kind of puts it in perspective.

[margo49]

Veteran speaking here....shut your eyes and breathe out.
Mine are small so it "hurts like billy-o" as my grandmother would say
Keep in mind that 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancer so you do have to be a bit clever to get that result.
Keep us posted.
In my prayers...

[redrhodie]

Thanks, Margo! As the NP looked at it, she said "cancer doesn't get smaller, like this has, it isn't perfectly round, like this is, and this moves easily and is not hard, also signs it's not cancer." So, I'm not going to worry. If anything, I've been avoiding the test because I was afraid they'd find something, but now I've come to my senses. This was the kick in the a$$ I needed.

[pll]

Best of luck!

The test is not a big deal, unless you are sensitive due to ovulation, but the discomfort is just a matter of seconds. Personally, I don't take any pain killers. From the second I'm in the correct position, I don't breathe (it never fails to make me laugh when they say 'hold your breath'... ) until the image is captured.

[KnottedYet]

Imagine lying on your stomach (nekkid) on a cold tile floor.

Imagine rolling onto your left boob and squishing it for about 15 seconds, then rolling onto your right boob and squishing it for about 15 seconds. Then do it again.

If that sounds like agony just before your period because your boobs always hurt then, don't schedule the mammo for that week.

If the thought of a mammo utterly freaks you out, don't be shy about asking your doctor to prescribe you a valium to take beforehand. (one of my coworkers used to be a mammo tech, and the freak-out stories she tells.... whoa!)

It's not the most pleasant experience in the universe, but if you've ever struggled into a sports bra that was too small and then gotten stuck with the band halfway across your boobs and survived, you'll do fine.

[redrhodie]

Knot, thanks so much for that image. It really helps. I never get tender breasts, so it makes me think it might not be so bad for me. I think I'll still take a painkiller, jic.

[redrhodie]

I did it. It wasn't bad. For anyone who is wondering what it's like, it's like sticking your boob in a photocopier, and closing it really tight. Then doing it again sideways. It didn't hurt, even though there was a lot of tugging. My tip, wear a front closure bra. I had to dress and undress a couple of times, and was regretting my Ibex sports bra choice.

The lump is a calcification, and they recommend a biopsy. There's a 95-97% chance it is not cancer, or, as the radiologist put it, a 3-5% chance it is. My glass is always half full. Since I've never had a mammogram before, they have nothing to compare it to, so would rather be cautious and biopsy. Part of me is inclined to wait and recheck it in a few months, but I've been read the riot act by a few who care, and will be getting the biopsy, and calling it done. I guess that actually might be better than getting more mammograms this year, and always wondering about it in the back of my mind.

It's very near the surface, so I'm hoping that will make it easy. He also said it was in a place that would suggest it would be a non invasive type of cancer, if it is that, which it's not.

Thank you all for your concern. I know a lot of you have been through this, and know what it's like. I also know this is pretty normal, not something to freak out about. I have gained a lot of courage, knowledge and strength from you.