Mammo today
 

I had my first mammogram since my surguery in June today; it is actually my annual screening mammo (last screen was done 4/20/06). Since last year, the facility I use has converted about half of their mammo facilities to digital, so this was my first experience with that technology. I have to say, all things considered, it was not so bad as I had anticipated. I am still very tender from the rx treatment, so I wanted to take some kind of pain killer before I went. My surgeon said Motrin. Because I am an obsessive/compulsive personality, I got up very early and took two, with the intent to "test" the sensitivity after an hour, and still have time to take a third pill if necessary (I deemed it necessary).

The center where I go has 7 or 8 locations in a two county area and performs 50,000 mammograms a year. They are very cutting edge. The technician who performed the test explained the process to me, and allowed me to view the images that were generated from the x-ray (they are all computerizied). I had mentioned that my surgeon used a lot of clips - until I looked for myself, I had no idea! I bet I'll be setting off metal detectors at airports!

I really liked the way the technology allowed the technician to take a lot of the "mystery" away from the process - she was very open and I felt more like a participant in my care. She told me not all the techs let the patients sneak a peek, and they are strictly forbidden to comment on the images, (of course, as they are not physicians) but just the manner in which the whole process was handled left me with a good impression (no pun intended).

The results won't be read until Monday, and the report will go out then. I know many of the women here find the stress of waiting for results very difficult. Personally, if I think there is even a remote chance I could get bad news . . . . I can wait!

I plan to enjoy the rest of my weekend, and hope you all do the same. I will post on my results when I get them.

Hopeful

Yes, have a great weekend
 

Dear Hopeful,
I'm going to have my first post-treatment, annual mammogram myself next month. I can't imagine what it's going to be like. That's how it all started, of course, and I think it's going to be quite strange with all the looking back it will no doubt bring.
Enjoying your weekend sounds like an excellent plan. Hope the weather's good for you and you can get out and about in the sunshine, and forget all about You Know What for a while.
All the best
CAroline

I received a letter from my surgeon yesterday telling me the mammogram had shown "no evidence of malignancy." I am going to go to the facility where I had it done and pick up a copy of the actual report tomorrow for my files. Looks like another good weekend ahead. :)

Hopeful

Yay!! Great news!!!

Good deal! I had my first post-treatment mammo a week ago too, and it was my first digital mammo. Quite interesting being able to see the images right after they were taken. I also have NED (yippee). However, I do have a good sized seroma. But after talking to my surgeon a few days later, we're going to wait until my October mammo (I'll also be ready to get my port removed then) to decide what to do about it. Sounds good to me!

Janet

Hopeful, I am so glad you got the all clear on your mammo. Its always such a relief. :) Good timing as you said because now you can REALLY enjoy your weekend. Yeah!

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Janet, Congratulations on your good mammo also. Looks like you too can relax and have a nice weekend without added worry. I am so happy for the both of you. I will be interested to see what your surgeon does about your seroma...I've been living with one for a year and I am tired of it. It was drained but came right back darn it.

Lets keep all this good news coming.

Chelee

Thanks everyone for all your kind good wishes.

Janet, congratulations on your good news, too. I found the digital mammo experience to be quite positive due to the interactive nature of it. So much of our treatment is dehumanizing, it just felt good to be in a situation where I was a person and not a "case". I was so nervous, where I never have been before, and it calmed me down quite a bit to be able to see the images myself right away. I left feeling very good about it, something I can't always say about the rest of my treatments.

Regards,

Hopeful