tips for better mammogram?

[Grits]

Here is another "turned out fine" one, since they make you feel better! I had micro calcifications turn up in a routine mammogram. Radiologist recommended watching and waiting for six months, MD recommended going to see a surgeon, surgeon recommended a biopsy since the calcifications were in a duct and branched out. They did an image guided Mammotome (brand name!) needle biopsy since my calcifications were quite deep and could not be felt. I was told to wear a tight bra, which helped a lot, and only needed tylenol or advil after the procedure. I'm sure if a lump had been excised, I would have needed stronger pain relief.

The thing that bothered me the most was that I was lying face down on a table (which was raised HIGH and had a cut out in the appropriate place, sorry, TMI and unnecessary mental image), with my head turned to look right. I have some mild neck issues, and that position really started to bother me after a while, but they don't want you to move, and I kept thinking they were almost done, so I just suffered through it. The biopsy itself involved very little discomfort. Just the initial numbing.

I wish I had taken my ipod. That would have helped make the time pass faster.

[redrhodie]

Glad yours turned out so well, Grits! They mentioned that face-down option, and it didn't sound fun to me. I'd rather be on my back or side, if given the choice.

Mine is scheduled for Mon. I got a call from the Breast Center, and they made the appt for me with a female surgeon, which I'm very happy about. They said she may or may not biopsy it, based on what she feels in the exam. So, fingers crossed she thinks it's okay, but either way, I'll have an answer soon.

[Catrin]

Good luck Red! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

[pll]

Red: we will be thinking about you today. Best of luck!

[redrhodie]

Thank you! My appt is late this afternoon, and I know already that even if a biopsy is done, I won't get results for a while, but I'll post them here as soon as I know. My friend who just had another biopsy said based on the location and other things I've told her, mine should be a piece of cake. Hers came back benign this time. I'm so happy about that!

She explained that the worst thing about all of this is the waiting. I have issues with patience anyway, so this has been a test for me. I had a strange reaction to the stress the other day, which I was a very aware of happening, but I couldn't stop it until my friend calmed me down with her level headed-ness. I spent a good deal of my time at work cleaning my bench, and all my clothes felt wrong, and my hair felt awful on my neck. I was very uncomfortable and needed all my tools to be aligned. It was maybe something like mild OCD. I'm since back to my slightly less neurotic self. It will be nice when this is over.

[indysteel]

I'll be thinking of you, Red! I hope it all turns out to be nothing.

[OakLeaf]

Thinking of you.

[pll]

I have issues with patience anyway, so this has been a test for me.

You are not alone! Whenever I am in a waiting area or waiting for some test result, I always get miffed we are called "patients". "Patient" is the last thing I am!

[spokewench]

Trying to send some patience your way Red. I'm sure it will turn out just fine.

I'll be thinking about you till you find out!

[marni]

The thing that bothered me the most was that I was lying face down on a table (which was raised HIGH and had a cut out in the appropriate place, sorry, TMI and unnecessary mental image), with my head turned to look right. I have some mild neck issues, and that position really started to bother me after a while, but they don't want you to move, and I kept thinking they were almost done, so I just suffered through it. The biopsy itself involved very little discomfort. Just the initial numbing.
.

I had similar situation only then they all left the room for about 15 minutes while they examined the x rays - I kept calling out hello and asking if I could move. After about 15 minutes one of them wandered back in, told me not to move and wandered out again for another 5 minutes, til they all came back, did the whole thing over again except the numbing and then sent me home. I had a stiff neck that hurt more than anything in the boob for about a week. Wish I had thought to take a sedative and brought my ipod. Both would have helped, but some consideration from the biopsy people would have made a big difference- like just mentioning that they were leaving the room to take a look at the results or something.

opefully no one else has it as bad.

marni

[redrhodie]

No, I didn't get to meet the radiologist. It sounds like they travel between hospitals, so you get who is working on that day. So far, everyone has been super nice and very conscientious, and every minute detail has been explained, with diagrams, maybe more than I'd like to know.

I've been told that I shouldn't feel anything, and if I do, tell them to stop and give me more lidocaine. This should not hurt at all. If it does, they will stop. I'll be on my back, which I'm relieved about. Being face down sounds pretty uncomfortable. I got a detailed packet explaining what to expect during and afterward. I'm bringing a couple of bras for afterward. Not knowing exactly how I'm going to feel, how large the bandage is, how the ice packet will fit in there, I want options. No advil (for 5 days prior), only tylenol afterward for pain, which I'm pretty bummed about. No aspirin, either. There were also some supplements that you're supposed to avoid for a few days before, but I don't take them, so I can't remember which. I think fish oil was one. No heavy lifting the following day or 2, but okay to drive. Anyway, I hope documenting this here helps someone someday. There's a lot of unnecessary stress involved, but I think information, knowing what to expect, is key to feeling okay. I really don't feel worried at all right now, and I got a good night's sleep last night.

Thanks for the hugs! Right back at you!

[Blueberry]

Yay, Red. I'm so glad that you're calm about this. I think that makes a world of difference. Will keep sending hugs and positive vibes your way. The statistics are definitely on your side!

[redrhodie]

Yay, Red. I'm so glad that you're calm about this. I think that makes a world of difference. Will keep sending hugs and positive vibes your way. The statistics are definitely on your side!

Definitely! This thing is most likely benign, but if it isn't, I'm really glad I found it and got it checked out right away. I'm a huge procrastinator (have to be, it's in the slacker handbook) but if it is malignant, waiting is really bad. I've read enough of your stories, and been impacted by them, Marni's for example, to know that this could happen to me, or any of us. Even though I "do everything right" better people than me get cancer.

[emily_in_nc]

Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Red. You will be so relieved just to have the biopsy over with, and hopefully will get negative results soon thereafter!

[redrhodie]

Well, I didn't get the biopsy today. After the radiologist looked at it, he determined there was a possibility he wouldn't be able to get a good sample. He didn't want to put me through the procedure (it's in a very sensitive area) if he wasn't sure he could get to it. He was very kind and gentle. I could feel his hesitation, so I decided to go with his gut. I'll be having a surgical biopsy instead.