topic Re: My First Mammogram in Wellness

My First Mammogram

Katesbff — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 01:54:01 GMT

Good evening everyone,

This is probably silly, but I thought it might be useful to share my experience having my first mammogram.

First of all - and most importantly - it's normal to be called back for additional testing if you are in your 40's. Evidently, this has to do with breast tissue density and creating a baseline for what your breasts look like, etc.

I didn't know this, so being called back terrififed me. Then, having the regular test done again, and then an ultra sound had me convinced I had breast cancer.

Those were the scariest 90 minutes of my life - testing and waiting.

Anyway - to all of the technicians out there administering these tests and trying to keep women calm, informed and heard - THANK YOU!

Re: My First Mammogram

Lapdog — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 02:00:23 GMT

@Katesbff Welcome to the club!! I feel for you.

Every year, the wait in the room by yourself, in the hospital gown, waiting is the longest few minutes ever.....you are right the nurses are great

Re: My First Mammogram

PMG055 — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 02:02:29 GMT

Yes it very frightening especially since my mother died of breast cancer. All I allowed to think to myself was Jeremiah 29:11. Please look it up. It was and is a great source of comfort.

Re: My First Mammogram

Zhills — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 02:13:45 GMT

Good post! It doesn't necessarily have to be your first mammogram......when you get a letter or call for a follow up test it scares you to death..at any age!

Good technicians are worth their weight in gold! They seem to realize how scared you are and can be very comforting.

Re: My First Mammogram

kivah — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:03:29 GMT

I've had mammograms for many, many years - and didn't think twice about it. A couple of years ago, I had a mammogram and when the doctor's office called my house I wasn't home.It was Friday afternoon - and when I called back, I got an answering machine. So - I had to wait the whole weekend - until Monday morning to call back. I actually went on this site to ask if people got called back - since that never happened before to me. Several women said - the machines are more sensitive now - and it's common to be called back to get another mammogram. That put me at complete ease and I didn't think about it. I went back to the doctor's office on Monday or Tuesday - then the doctor came into the room and said. Everything went well - and I said, "but" --- he said there's no but. I was amazed because I was convinced that I had breast cancer - as I'm an ovarian cancer survivor. As I left the office - I was thanking God - and I was in complete shock about the good news.

Yes - my breast tissues are very dense. Who knew???

Re: My First Mammogram

embgm — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:53:19 GMT

Yes mammogram results are hard to wait for and being called back in for further testing is even scarier. I am a three year breast cancer survivor and lost my sister and an Aunt in their upper thirties to ovarian cancer. Believe me I almost needed a tranquilizer to get my semi annual mammogram s. I have now graduated to annual mammogram s but I realize I felt more comfortable having them twice a year for that great feeling when I get a clear report. A year is a long time for a possible reoccurance to grow. No one in my family ever had breast cancer and I have a negative BRCA test. My only advice can be try to think positively and keep it in perspective. Remember early detection is best. Em

Re: My First Mammogram

embgm — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:55:50 GMT

@kivah wrote:
I've had mammograms for many, many years - and didn't think twice about it. A couple of years ago, I had a mammogram and when the doctor's office called my house I wasn't home.It was Friday afternoon - and when I called back, I got an answering machine. So - I had to wait the whole weekend - until Monday morning to call back. I actually went on this site to ask if people got called back - since that never happened before to me. Several women said - the machines are more sensitive now - and it's common to be called back to get another mammogram. That put me at complete ease and I didn't think about it. I went back to the doctor's office on Monday or Tuesday - then the doctor came into the room and said. Everything went well - and I said, "but" --- he said there's no but. I was amazed because I was convinced that I had breast cancer - as I'm an ovarian cancer survivor. As I left the office - I was thanking God - and I was in complete shock about the good news.
Yes - my breast tissues are very dense. Who knew???

Kivah, Congratulations on your good reports! Em

Re: My First Mammogram

Vivian — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 11:28:11 GMT

I have had thyroid cancer and melanoma yet nothing makes me more anxious than my yearly mammograms. After the procedure, as I wait for results in my hospital gown, I’m a wreck. I actually asked my doctor to prescribe a Xanax this year and it did help.

Re: My First Mammogram

Puppy Lips — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:43:54 GMT

For several years in a row, I got called back for further testing and even had a mamogram one year. It is very scary.

For the last few years, I just get the annual mamogram and that is it. But I have a question for some of you who responded:

Do you get your results right then and there? I always have to go home and wait for a card in the mail to tell me that it was normal. Doesn't a radiologist have to study the pictures for a long time to see if more tests need to be done, or it something looks different?

Re: My First Mammogram

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:50:30 GMT

@Katesbff Welcome to my world! I just got home from having my 25th breast sqweeze!!!!! Teresa my tech girl told me since I'm 2 months' into medicare they do cover the 3D ultrasound breast exam, did I wish to do this or the 'regular' sqweeze. I said sure let's see my babies in 3d! maybe they'll LOOK BIGGER!!! laugh really loud here.

I am very small but they tell me my littles ones are (still) dense. Not sure how that's possible but if they say they are....

Always continue to do your self breast exams - we are our first line of defense. Take care of those breasts, get your exam done annually faithfully. DO this for YOU always.

Re: My First Mammogram

DJs mom — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:03:05 GMT

@Puppy Lips wrote:
For several years in a row, I got called back for further testing and even had a mamogram one year. It is very scary.

For the last few years, I just get the annual mamogram and that is it. But I have a question for some of you who responded:

Do you get your results right then and there? I always have to go home and wait for a card in the mail to tell me that it was normal. Doesn't a radiologist have to study the pictures for a long time to see if more tests need to be done, or it something looks different?

@Puppy Lips my experience is I get my mammogram and everything is normal I will get a letter in the mail in a few days. If something is alarming to them I will get a call the next day (I have very dense breasts so I have been called back 2x, I'm in my early 40s). When I go back for my follow-up mammogram or ultrasound there is a doctor in the back who reads the results while I am waiting and then they come and tell me everything is ok and I will get a report in the mail in a few days. They also send all results to my GYN.

Re: My First Mammogram

DJs mom — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:06:06 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
@Katesbff Welcome to my world! I just got home from having my 25th breast sqweeze!!!!! Teresa my tech girl told me since I'm 2 months' into medicare they do cover the 3D ultrasound breast exam, did I wish to do this or the 'regular' sqweeze. I said sure let's see my babies in 3d! maybe they'll LOOK BIGGER!!! laugh really loud here.

I am very small but they tell me my littles ones are (still) dense. Not sure how that's possible but if they say they are....

Always continue to do your self breast exams - we are our first line of defense. Take care of those breasts, get your exam done annually faithfully. DO this for YOU always.

@PINKdogWOOD I too have very small breasts and very dense breasts. When I get my mammograms I also joke with the tech that I am making them work today to get these little babies on the glass. They always laugh and say we've seen them smaller than you.

Re: My First Mammogram

IMW — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:47:16 GMT

I’ve always gotten the results on the spot. There is a very very long wait in md’s office.

I always get mammogram and sonogram, md’s policy, he is a breast surgeon.

Re: My First Mammogram

chrystaltree — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 20:32:45 GMT

There are various reasons for getting that call to come back for a repeat imaging but I don't think being 40 has anything to do with it. I know sometimes, they don't get a good image when a woman has dense tissue but even that's rare. Especially with the newer machines.

Re: My First Mammogram

embgm — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 22:20:44 GMT

@Puppy Lips wrote:
For several years in a row, I got called back for further testing and even had a mamogram one year. It is very scary.

For the last few years, I just get the annual mamogram and that is it. But I have a question for some of you who responded:

Do you get your results right then and there? I always have to go home and wait for a card in the mail to tell me that it was normal. Doesn't a radiologist have to study the pictures for a long time to see if more tests need to be done, or it something looks different?

Originally I had to wait for my results,however the time I actually had breast cancer the tech told me you will be receiving a call during the next few days. And she was righg. But since then I get the three D mammograms and I get my results right there. This is at a Breast Center. Em

Re: My First Mammogram

kivah — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 01:44:50 GMT

@embgm

I'm so glad that ur breast cancer is under control. Cancer just seems so random and hits people so often. I'm convinced, it's something in the air, water and food. Since I'm older -- I don't remember hearing about cancer when I lived and worked in NYC in the 1950s/60.

Re: My First Mammogram

kivah — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 01:46:00 GMT

@Vivian

I have a saying: Don't worry until I have something to worry about. That helps me so much!!!!!

Re: My First Mammogram

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:47:01 GMT

I just had my mammo done 2 weeks ago. I do not get my results right there with a screening mammo. I have had to go twice for a diagnostic mammo and in those cases I did get results immediately.

However, I generally get my results within 30 minutes through MyChart. If nothing is wrong, my doctor will release the results to MyChart. I know if I see an e-mail that I have test results, everything was good.

If there is a problem, I get a telephone call.

Re: My First Mammogram

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 19:45:52 GMT

@DJs mom Just to report back, I rcvd my results and find they are still dense, they are still tiny, they are still lump free. I'm all good and so are my girls! Hope the same for you.

Re: My First Mammogram

DJs mom — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:21:51 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
@DJs mom Just to report back, I rcvd my results and find they are still dense, they are still tiny, they are still lump free. I'm all good and so are my girls! Hope the same for you.

@PINKdogWOOD oh yes my results came back all good. My mammorgram was in January. I was called the next day to go back and get additional images. They were checked while I was there and I was given the green light. So me & my dense little girls are just fine also. Thanks for asking and great news that your results are good.