tips for better mammogram?

[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.

[indysteel]

I'm glad that he was honest about it, but I'm sorry you keep gearing up for this only to have it put off. Are you still doing okay? What will a surgerical biopsy entail?

[redrhodie]

I'm still good.

The surgeon will excise the whole lump. It will be a local anesthetic, but I'll be sedated. There will be an incision and stitches. My friend just had this surgery 2 weeks ago, so I know what to expect (she slept through the whole thing). She said it hurt afterward, but she doesn't believe in pain meds. I do. Why suffer?

At least then it will be gone, and not something I'll always be wondering about. It's probably a good thing.

I have no idea when this will happen. I'll be getting an appt tomorrow.

[Blueberry]

(((((redrhodie)))))

So sorry you weren't able to get a quick and easy resolution.

[redrhodie]

Ha! The quick and easy boat has sailed! I'm okay with it, though. My pulse was in the 50s in the office today, so I'm pretty calm still.

I have to say, this hospital is awesome. They never left me alone in the room. They had someone meet me when I got there, and sit with me while I waited to go in. They brought me a towel for over my eyes (my idea). It was almost like being in a spa, minus the great stuff.