tips for better mammogram?

[Helene2013]

I'm very happy to read that you pulled this one out and it's been 5 years. What a relief!

I'd like to play electric guitar. Keep telling my husband I think it will be one of my many projects when we retire in 4 years. haha

Going for bilateral mammo tonight (our government plan covers a free mammo every 2 years once you reach 50 and it is an optional program but you get a thorough followup if something comes up). Always stressful to get through those. I don't find them painful at all, but it is NOT my favorite type of breast manipulation for sure. haha And I hate that I always end up having to go for the focal "spot" compression and then ending up in ultrasound because a spot is never clear enough. Why can't we go straight to ultrasound!

The first time I was almost freaking out by the process as you always fear the worst when you have to go back for further testing. First time it was the right breast and it was just fluid pockets. Relief! Radiologist even took the time to show me that every women has those and did the ultrasound on the other breast to show me he would find some.

The 2nd time it was the other breast and it seemed to take forever for the radiologist to go through that ultrasound. Nerve wrecking but she wanted to clear everything. She was pressing and poking her ultrasound remote on that breast so hard and it was finally nothing. I could see the monitor but it says nothing to me just black and white mix of things. haha All is good and she said see you in 2 years! Which is time now.

But I do have once in a while "pain" in the left breast and it goes away. mostly cyclic thing and I'm menopaused for the past 2 years now. I don't feel any lumps or anything different. I did have breast reduction in December 2010 and since then, my breasts are more tender and "itchy" inside once in a while. Even part of them are permanently numbed. I guess being cut and poked inside takes its toll on them too. I used to have very sensitive breasts when I had my periods. And I suppose some things don't change, even with menstruation done and over with.

TBC.. Anyway...regular mammo tonight and expecting to have to go back for further testing. Just hoping it will be done and over with and good for 2 years!