Oct 02 2008
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - I Got Squished Part 2
I got to the Breast Care Center early, as I usually do for everything, and ended up waiting anxiously for an hour before I was called. I followed the nurse back and through the door. She told me to remove my clothes from the waist up and put a gown on tying it front. She told me to have a seat and they would come for me soon.
I sat for another 20 minutes before I was taken back for the mammogram. By that point, the fear had washed away as I removed myself from my body. I was present, but as an outsider. I wasn’t really participating.
I followed the orders and stood where I was told to stand and put my arm where I was told to put it. I held my breath when I was told to hold it.
I had 2 images of each breast taken and then 2 close ups of the one that the doctor was concerned about.
I think I have a higher tolerance for pain than a lot of people (I didn’t think my tattoo hurt). The mammogram was not painful. It was not fun, but it did not really hurt, it was more pressure than anything.
The two close-up images did hurt. It was a smaller area they were viewing and it pinched. It wasn’t the kind of pain where you tear up or think you might hit someone. It was more of the stubbing your toe kind of pain where you curse under your breath.
After that was done, I was taken back to the same room to sit and wait for the ultrasound. Another 20 minutes and I was finally taken in a room for that. I wasn’t worried about that because I knew what that would be like. It did hurt though, more than the mammogram actually. By that point, my breast was tender from being squished so much. So, when she pushed down on it to get a good image, it was painful. Again, not the kind of pain that causes you to tear up or hit someone, but still, unpleasant.
When that was finished, I was taken to a different room and was told to wait there for someone to go over the results. This was a room devoid of any reading material or anything to distract me from what might happen, what I might hear. I sat there for another 20 minutes.
I was then taken to a normal exam room and was told to have a seat. I waited about 15 minutes before a nurse came in for a history. She asked why I was there and about my personal medical history and my family’s medical history.
I answered all of her questions and tried to remain in good humor. At this point, I was hungry and really tired of waiting around. The nurse left and I waited some more. I was getting antsy and was very tempted to just get up and leave. I have a lot of patience with a lot of things, but being kept waiting is not one of them.
I will keep you waiting just one more day and I will finish this story tomorrow.
This makes for fascinating reading. So intimate. This is a good example of the internet’s power. I can’t wait to read the “rest of the story.”
thanks doug
Milena, everyone has a different tolerance for pain. Also, I have heard that depending on when you get it done and the technician themselves that the pain level varies. If you were a wimp, you wouldn’t go. Isn’t being brave being fearful and doing that which you fear anyway?
Wow, I totally just went through this. I also have a high family disposition for breast cancer. My biological mother (yes, I’m adopted, and I am glad to know the history) has had it twice, several of my biological aunts have had it in some way, shape, or form. I have one aunt who had it, beat it, but then it came back and metastisized to her bone and now has brain tumors. B-mom had it the first time at 38. So it was recommended that I get my first mammo at 28. And here I am.
The whole thing really isn’t too painful. I was really freaked out by some of the horror stories too. Not bad at all, kinda like going to the dentist? You know there will be discomfort, but it’s minimal.
I had the original set back in August, and got the letter in the mail saying I had to come back. I’ll say right off the bat, I cried. I’m getting married in May and all of the horrible thoughts of being sick and not being able to have the wedding of my dreams went flying through me. This past Tuesday was my follow up. I was breathing (how silly right?) for the left one, so that was 1 shot done. The right one, they saw a spot. So I had to take about 3 shots at different angles. I left the room, waiting 10 minutes, and then the man behind the curtain, since I never saw him, still needed more. The area they were trying to get to was pretty much dead center next to my chest, so when the plastic comes down, it was scraping my chest. That hurt. And after waiting 10 more minutes, I had to go back in again. This time there were two people trying to get the “miracle” shot (their words, and that freaked me out even more, like they were trying to make something bad be okay). This hurt a lot. I had marks from this set at the end, but it was like rubbing a rug burn spot that hadn’t quite broken skin, but was still sotre. And alas, no luck. The man decided I needed and ultrasound. That’s when I kinda lost it. I didn’t really cry because I was in public and there were all these older women who seemed fine, but my eyes were red and there was definite sniffling. The ultrasound tech came in, ultrasounded my right breast, and left. The thoughts of oh my god, I can’t have breast cancer. It’s my first mammogram. What if I had listened to the doctor who said I didn’t need one yet? I started getting teary eyed again.
The ultrasound tech came back and told me that it looks like the spot they saw the last time wasn’t there anymore, but just to be safe, the man recommended that I come back in six months. I was relieved, but I started crying, like seriously crying, as soon as I got out of the building and no one could see my face. I just had to let all that emotion out.
Honey, I understand that fear. They freak you out, especially if you’ve never gone through it before. I was emotional too and fought it.
With your family history it is so good that you know about it so you can do something. It is incredible what they can do if you find it early enough. I will say a prayer for you that you continue to get the all clear!
Gosh. I’m getting a bit teary.Brings back memories of my scare. Thankfully my lumps were benign, and successfully removed.Phew.Gulp. Think I need to make a cup of tea,and sit in my garden and admire all the flowers and abundant greenery,thinking of you all..and thaks again for your story.
My daughter-in-law, age 28, just had double mastectomy, followed by chemo and radiation. My mother had single mastectomy five years ago. Two co-workers have died in past 3 years, after breast cancer had been in remission. Two of my long-term relationships had lumpectomies back in the 1980’s. I saw Christina Applegate on Oprah two days ago, along with the sister of Susan G. Koman. We all have to help in this fight. The end is NOT in sight.
Laurie, I admire everyone who does the 3-day. That takes grit and determination! Good for you!
kezz, I’m glad yours was just a scare and everything turned out well.
doug, holy cow! That is a lot of people in your life to be affected by breast cancer. I hope your daughter-in-law is doing well.