tips for better mammogram?

[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.

[GLC1968]

I'll be thinking of you too, red!

Here's another 'nothing' story for you. I was 20 when we found a rather large lump in my breast. My doc kind of joked that if it was cancer, we'd both be famous. They tried a needle biopsy but got nothing out of it. We opted to just watch it for the time being. A little over a year later, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I opted for a lumpectomy on mine...just to be certain. I was 22.

Turns out, it was a large fatty mass (doc showed it to me during surgery!) and I've been lump-free since then (that was 21 years ago). The only downside (besides having to wear two sports bras for a few months after surgery when exercising) was that this all occurred in my already naturally slightly smaller breast, so when it was all over, my breasts ended up almost a full cup size different from each other. Annoying, but certainly not the end of the world.

Oh, and my mom is a 23 year + cancer survivor, too.

[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!

[redrhodie]

So, today's visit turned out to be just a consultation. Core needle biopsy is on Wed, with ultrasound imaging, so not in office/fine needle as I was hoping for. My other option was to get it excised (a surgery), but then based on the biopsy, it could require another surgery after that to remove more, so I opted for the less invasive procedure, which she (the surgeon) recommended.

The surgeon was very nice, and said she's not convinced it's cancer...yet. I wish she left the yet off. But I feel very informed now. The Breast Center sends in a person to walk you through each step. Literally, they will be coming with me to my next appt. There are lots of hugs and they are very supportive. I'm a hugger to begin with, so I'm okay with it, but I'm sure it would be overwhelming to some, to be hugged by total strangers, who consider you part of this exclusive club no one wants to join. Hopefully, my membership is limited. Remember that Groucho Marx quote about clubs? I feel like that.