Oct 01 2008
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - I Got Squished
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Most everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way. At the very least a family member or friend has either had it or had a scare.
My best friend’s mom had it about 12 years ago. She, thankfully, beat it. My mom’s close friend also had it and is a survivor.
When my sister was pregnant with my nephew four years ago, she was working as a teacher in a preschool. One of the parents was diagnosed and lost her battle. She was my sister’s age. My sister wanted to go to the wake, but she was due soon and everyone told her that the sadness and grief might be too much for her.
My mother and my best friend (the one whose mother had it) have had scares in which either they or the doctor felt or saw something. They had to have further tests.
Fortunately, they were fine, just false alarms.
I am in my early 30’s. When I went for my yearly exam, I had some abnormalities, so my doctor ordered me to go for a mammogram and ultrasound.
I’ve never had a mammogram, as they are not required at my age.
I will tell you that I was fearful of the mammogram as much, if not more, than the results.
I have always heard that a mammogram is painful. My mother told me that it would hurt me more because I am a smaller breasted woman. My best friend told me her mother, who is smaller than I am, says it is very painful.
Great, thanks. Scare me more.
For me, if I am afraid of something, I have to talk myself into doing in. It took me a few weeks to actually schedule the appointment, so it was a month after my doctor told me to go when I actually had my mammogram and ultrasound.
I was nervous. So nervous that I didn’t tell anyone other than my mother about it for weeks. I told my best friend since her mom had had breast cancer and she had had the scare; I knew she knew what I was going through.
The day finally came last week. I scheduled it early because I had 3 appointments: the mammogram, the ultrasound and the consult with a surgeon.
I will continue this story tomorrow.
Breast cancer is incredibly scary! I’m eager to hear how your mammogram turned out because it’s something I’ve also always been scared of based on negative stories!
-Kristy
smalltowntobigcity.today.com
(I enjoyed your comments! Thank you!)
My mom is a breast cancer survivor and my aunt died of breast cancer. I had fibroadenoma (benign tumor) in my right breast and had it surgically removed back in 1996.
Good luck and keep us posted!
http://lifeinmycubicle.today.com/2008/10/01/how-to-do-a-breast-self-examination/
http://www.myclosetspace.com/
I agree, mammogram can be painful, I had it twice already, but this year was not that bad. My first one, it was extremely painful because I had then some painful bumps (cysts) but thankfully they were determined to be not pathogenic. Now, pretty okay.
yikes.
way to leave us hanging, dynasty!
tomorrow’s episode, “it was just a dream.”
My brother’s wife passed away two years ago from Breast Cancer. Together they had 2 boys ages 10 and 7 and one girl who had just turned 4. This is devastating to the children and to my brother. I pray everyone here doesn’t have the same as mine.
I look forward to reading yours!
Kristy
www.mosaicmoments.today.com
Yeh, we get squished,and it can be painful.The cold metallic plates are not pleasant. And, it can sometimes be a bit embarassing.But what the heck? It is far worse to let these things go undiagnosed.Every year I buy my specialbreast cancer pink badge and pens..(do sometimes do the old fashioned writing,ha ha) Three cheers for us gals!!! and prayers for those in special need.
I was told I was also too young to have a mamogram, being 35. I do however get tested every six months because ovarian cancer and cancer in general is killing off my family one by one. Imagine how nervewracking it is every time I go to the doctor and the results comeback positive almost every time until more testing is done to rule it out. “Huh, another false positive.” I’m not pregnant, I could die if you’re not sure, can we get this right?
But don’t be nervous, and i think it’s very brave of you to discuss your fears about it. I remember years ago on the Rosie show, she made up a song about getting a “squoosh”, maybe you can find it on you tube for a good laugh. Good luck and God Bless you, it’ll be fine one way or another, getting it or not. ~Alicia http://savemoneymomma.today.com
I am so scared in getting tested..You won’t believe. Stumbled your blog too, great blog.
Thanks for all the wonderful responses.
Jasdye, if I posted the whole thing at one time, everyone would have fallen into a coma, it quite long! :D
Kristy, I am so sorry about your sister-in-law. I can’t even imagine how devastating that must be for a spouse and children to go through.
Alicia, what an emotional roller coaster that must be! I wish you well with this and hope things remain good.
yanjiaren, thanks for the stumble!
Thanks for the reminder. I had to have a breast ultrasound when I was pregnant with my son, but thank goodness it turned out to be nothing. I agree, it is so incredibly important to “get squished.” I look forward to hearing the rest of your story.
http://sillymomthoughts.today.com