topic Re: Mammogram call back in Wellness

Mammogram call back

Laura14 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:51:14 GMT

I've read a lot of good advice on these boards so I am hoping someone can help. My co-worker was called back for a second mammogram a week after her annual one. She just came back and they did that along with an immediate ultrasound. The ultrasound girl went to confer with the doctor to see if they needed anything else and then came back and told her that they didn't need anything else and her personal doctor would call her with the results on Friday if they were open or next week. Obviously she's stressed that no one has told her good or bad. Has a doctor ever called right away with good news or should she be prepared for this call on Friday? I'm thinking if she was clear they would have ended the suspense and told her right then and there. Anyone been through something like this before?

Re: Mammogram call back

capecdcat1 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:04:40 GMT

I have had similar experience.....unfortunately,all tests must be reviewed by doctors,so they have always made me wait for the call back.I have never received an answer right away.(even when a lump was found when I was pregnant.)The wait is awful,you are kind to support your friend!Best wishes to you both.

Re: Mammogram call back

Penellope — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:08:03 GMT

I thought those days were over. When my loved one had a diagnostic mammogram, she was told right away about the suspicion of cancer, and what the next steps might be. I just had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound a few weeks ago and I was given the all clear in person by the radiologist within minutes. I'm sorry your friend is going through this.

Re: Mammogram call back

noapologies — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:09:01 GMT

This happened to me two years ago and I had to wait for the call to find out I was fine. What surprised me the most going thru this was there is a long list of things it could be ,most benign other than the big C so it's hard but she shouldn't panic yet

Re: Mammogram call back

noapologies — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:09:31 GMT

Re: Mammogram call back

kittyfan — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:09:51 GMT

I went back for the follow up mamo. Before I left the office the Radiologist came and talked to me---I needed a biopsy---it was right before Christmas and we were on our way out of town but at least I knew. Hugs for your friend.

Re: Mammogram call back

bonnielu — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:10:51 GMT

Happened to me long ago. Seems I had to wait and worry.

More recently our hospital center (imaging center) calls us in immediately after, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. We are either told to get dressed everything is okay AND GO HOME with a good feeling. Or we are called into to a hospital representative (nurse) that tells us that something does not look as expected. And we are referred to someone, usually a breast surgeon or back to our own doctor. But everything is shown, discussed and we are made to feel comfortable. And with the new 3D imaging there seems to be little guess work especially if there is dense breast involved.

Re: Mammogram call back

Laura14 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:17:53 GMT

Thanks everyone. How I wish she had an imaging center that didn't leave you in suspense. I get the whole doctor thing but there is a doctor reviewing the results right there. I must be missing the reason why the medical profession which discourages stress creates it and makes the patient wait for the personal physician to make the call either way. It's a holiday so now she has a horrible four days to go through if they aren't open Friday. If something needs more testing, they should just tell her that and let's move on to the next step. (Sorry, had to get that out of my system.) I hate this for her and for all of you who went through this. Hopefully, she'll get a happy call and this will be another shake your head moment.

Re: Mammogram call back

kittyfan — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:24:21 GMT

Oh it would be easier if she had an imaging center. I do to the hospital center and they have the 3D. I get my results back in a few days---but I am certain if something was obviously wrong I wouldn't be allowed to leave.

Re: Mammogram call back

goodstuff — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:25:43 GMT

There may be imaging centers with different protocols, but in many cases diagnostic specialists like pathologists and radiologists function as "doctors' doctors" -- processing, looking at, and analyzing cells or imaging results and making reports to the doctor who ordered the tests. In most instances they do not deal directly with patients. They send (or if necessary, call in) their results to the ordering physicians, give their impressions and opinions, and in some cases may discuss with the ordering physician additional testing or diagnostic procedures that may be helpful. It is usually the ordering physician who discusses the results with the patient and recommends any "next steps".

I'm sorry your friend is feeling stressed. Hopefully she will receive good news very soon.

Re: Mammogram call back

Penellope — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:26:44 GMT

She should be sure to tell her Dr how this was handled.

Re: Mammogram call back

snailtrail — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:29:31 GMT

I have been in this situation since I was 19 . Since then I have asked to see ALL mammos & ultrasounds, so I have seen EVERYTHING & CHANGE to my breasts. DO NOT panic!. Wait for the Dr to get to you,then listen,THEN research and question what Dr says! ..

Re: Mammogram call back

violann — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:31:02 GMT

I had a horribly traumatic call-back a year ago, a follow up in the spring that was clear, and will go for my standard annual mammo this Friday. I ask for them to be read immediately and will wait at the woman's center until I get the results. My gyn. has also prescribed an immediate follow up ultra sound if required.

Re: Mammogram call back

Katrinka23 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:40:17 GMT

Last December I had a mammogram and a few days later they called to schedule a second one due to what appeared to be abnormalities. The second mammogram was scheduled for several weeks later (needless to say I was a nervous wreck) and they told me to be prepared to stay at least two hours and the results would be given to me that day. I have very dense breasts and apparently hard to read. Everything turned out fine but it is getting close to the time for another mammogram. I hope I don't have to go through this again.

Re: Mammogram call back

number one queen — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:47:13 GMT

This last time, I was called back, I had a second mama gram, then after that I had an ultrasound,I was told the radiologist and me would examine them and then they would tell me the results before I left. Thank goodness it was only a cyst but very worried until I knew the results. I would talk to someone about how it was handled!

Re: Mammogram call back

Shelbelle — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:06:12 GMT

Yes, usually for a call back, the radiologist will tell you right then and there if everything is clear or not. I had call backs twice, and was told right then and there that all was fine.

Re: Mammogram call back

Ms X — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:09:55 GMT

I would move heaven and earth to get a follow-up study without waiting weeks. I don't know how I could stand that. I would sit there all day the next day so that they could fit me in.

Tell your friend that even breast cancer has a very high cure rate when caught early, so she'll likely do well whatever news she gets.

Re: Mammogram call back

HappyDaze — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:13:31 GMT

I was called back after my mammogram as they saw something they wanted to check with an ultrasound. When I went back to do this, they did the ultrasound and then had the radiologist review the results. She reviewed the previous mammogram and the ultrasound and then she personally did another ultrasound and then gave me the results.

I can't believe the radiologist wouldn't have given your friend immediate feedback after the callback.

The ultrasound and mammo are actually reviewed by radiologists, not the doctor as someone previously mentioned. However, often times the radiologist has the doctor go over the results with you but usually not with a mammo callback.

Re: Mammogram call back

Laura14 — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:17:09 GMT

Thank you all so much. This has helped tremendously. I know nothing except an all clear is going to do the trick but her shoulders are down and the hugs are working. I told her the same thing that if she gets a good call she lets her doctor know that this is NOT the way to handle it in the future. For those of you going in shortly for your own exams, hugs to you and best wishes that you go in and get that happy letter with no other such nonsense.

Re: Mammogram call back

Laura14 — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:25:54 GMT

I don't know if this adds anything but supposedly the ultrasound girl took all the images and then went to consult with the doctor to see if he needed anything else before she left. Ultrasound girl came back and said no more tests, she was free to go, and the personal doctor would call her with the results of the exam on Friday or next week if they are not open. I told her that sounded good but I guess the doctor could have also said "Oh yeah there's definitely something there and her own doctor will handle that."

I'm kind of with you guys that the personal doctor can only repeat what the imaging center already knows so what's the point of not telling her either way? Ridiculous!