My Journey

Irenec44

I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer last year. I have gone through a mammogram - been referred to the Breast Clinic and gone through tests, a lumpectomy, radiation and am now on Anastrozol. I was discharge last week and have appointments for another mammogram and ultrasound and to follow up with my family doctor Okay, I've managed to get through all of this fairly well, except for skin reaction t the radiation which has resolved. I had a nasty abscess on my breast in the middle of radiation (no one can tell me why I got it) so went through severe pain and about a month to heal. I have managed to get through all of this with a fairly positive attitude, but I think I have reached a mental crisis about to happen. Mammograms are extremely painful for me to the point of horrendous. I nearly fainted when I had the last one. I felt like my breast was being torn off my chest!!! I am so paranoid about the upcoming one next week that I just want to curl up in a ball and tell the world to go away. I can't sleep since they called me to arrange the appointment and when I do I have terrible nightmares, Who can I talk to? I't at my wit's end.

Meow13

There are other exams besides mammograms, perhaps you need to talk to your doctor about having ultrasounds or MRI exams instead.

Moderators

Hi Irenec44, welcome to Breastcancer.org. Sorry you are here for this reason, but glad you found us and decided to reach out!

Excellent advice form Meow! Probably talking to your medical team and explaining your situation would be the best course of action.

Please come back and let us know hoe you're doing!

Best wishes,

The Mods

Irenec44

I didn't know there were other choices. The technician I spoke with was not at all understanding and was very terse and impatient when I expressed my fears. I'm putting a call in to my doctor. I thought a mammogram and ultrasound seemed like too much as a follow up to my surgery and treatment. Thanks for your reply.

Irenec44

I saw my family doctor and she is referring me back to the oncologist. Her opinion was that ultrasound or MRI are not as effective as mammograms. I am seeing a cancer councilor on Friday and will talk to her about this matter also. The people in radiation said that there are varied opinions about it. I am so paranoid about them now. My doctor said she could prescribe adavan for the procedure which would help me to relax. Anyway, I've cancelled this Friday's mammo until I sort this all out.

JWoo

Sorry you are going through this.

I have got say i think it is weird your GP said they think a mamo is better than an MRI. My masses were barely visible on the mamo, but one was clear on my ultrasound and both were very clear on my MRI. They had to do an MRI biopsy because the deeper one was not clear enough on the ultrasound. MRIs are fantastic for seeing soft tissues. Def talk to someone about it that and make your concerns clear.

Best of health and luck to you on this.