tips for better mammogram?

[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.

[OakLeaf]

Hang in there red.

You didn't ask, but tips for a better stereotactic needle biopsy:

Ask for a sedative. And ask for a dosage that's strong enough to do more than keep you from chewing your b00b off to get out of the machine. If you're prone to back pain, it's even more important, since the sedative will act as a muscle relaxer, too. You'll be locked tightly into spinal extension for about two hours.

Bring an mp3 player with some soothing music on it. I can't guarantee they'll let you use it, but they let me, and I was hugely glad of it.

Don't believe what they tell you about pain and recovery. Compared to some of the surgeries they have to do, obviously a needle biopsy is quite minor, and that's the standard they compare it against in their minds; but it's still an invasive procedure on a very sensitive part of your body. Depending on how sensitive you are, expect it to be a day or two before you can wear a bra; maybe 3 days to ride a bike on smooth flat surfaces; a week to ride steep hills or major bumps, or to run; a good two weeks to do anything that requires a lot of reaching or rapid arm movements like aerobic classes. Don't let them send you home without a day or two's dosage of some decent pain pills.

The volume of your breast won't come back, but there won't be such a noticeable divot after a couple of years.

And please have a plan for what you will do if the biopsy comes back anything but clear. Hopefully you made those plans before you agreed to the mammogram ... basically the less emotional pressure you're under when you have to absorb a whole lot of medical literature, the better. Be aware that the results won't necessarily be binary; there are many types of abnormalities considered "pre-cancerous" that you might need to make decisions about.

Good luck - wishing you the best. ((((((red))))))

[redrhodie]

Thanks, Oakleaf. I remember your situation, and that it was really traumatic and painful, and that is part of why I'm reluctant to have this biopsy done, when it's pretty likely to be benign. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go down this road, but here I am. I think mine will be a fine needle biopsy, and the radiologist told my NP an MRI or ultrasound is not needed to guide the procedure, since it's so close to the surface they can feel it. He even said it could be done in my Drs office, but I'll have it done in the hospital. All of that leads me to believe it won't be that bad, but I'll plan on being laid up for a while, and it not being fun.

A friend of mine had a very painful biopsy last year, and a painless one this year, 2 different surgeons at the same hospital I'm using. I'll be opting for the second guy.

If it is something I have to deal with longer term, I will do whatever it takes, one step at a time. I watched 2 friends go through different treatments for different stages this past year, and I know that it's a huge thing to get it EARLY, which this is. I'm not giving this anymore thought than that right now, since it's too soon to worry.

[indysteel]

(((red))). I'll be thinking of you and hoping for a positive result and a speedy recovery.

And, Oak, thank you for your thoughtful insight as someone who may be in red's shoes sometime.