Mammogram Day 2011 Kind of Amusing

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amanda1116
amanda1116 Member Posts: 127
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

This is what a neurotic mess I am. EVERY single digital mammogram in the past resulted in "extra films" Last year was eight extra pictures (I seriously almost passed out from fear and was actually fine).  Now, after three years of MRIs six months after each mammo (and 3 B9 biopsies and one open surgery I might add on those pesky MRIs -- yeah yeah super sensitive not super specific), yesterday I go in for my yearly mammogram and they take the four initial pictures and...in walks my radiologist after I sit in the exam room freaking out for 15 minutes. She says, "You;re fine, you;re great, no problem at all -- and I had all four of the other radiologists look at your films too -- you're doing great"  I'm like, "WHAT?  WHY AREN'T YOU SENDING IN THE TECHS TO TAKE MORE PICTURES????????"  She's like "You're fine, really really really"

Well, ooookay.  I'm like the Pavlov dog when I see a digital mammo machine.  I won't stop barking for that bone til I'm glow in the dark radiated after past experiences.  Normal mammo with four simple pictures isn't confusing, terrifying or mind boggling enough for good old me.  My new normal is obviously abnormal from all of this -- that is the scary part!!!!!!!! 

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  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited November 2011

    So funny-- this was exactly my own experience this year.  After almost 15 years of call backs for magnifications, ultrasounds, dense tissue, "architectural distortions" and so on, and yes, that anxiety that is SO great you feel you might just pass out/throw up-- this year, 4 standard shots, and "you're just fine".  This was after a needle biopsy last February, a lumpectomy (ADH) last March, a reduction last May and now deemed "high risk" and on the new 6 month rotation.  Of course, I was tremendously relieved to be released so easily from that horrible waiting room full of scared women huddled in their robes, but a part of me (paranoid) was wondering whether they missed something...

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2011

    Too funny, too sad and too true.  Great illustration of the neu(rotic) normal.

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  • amanda1116
    amanda1116 Member Posts: 127
    edited November 2011

    I myself have been on that six month rotation since I was 26. I think I put myself on it.  First mammo and sono now mammo then (now) mammo and MRI. Uck Yuck disgusto. I've known my radiologist literally since I was a kid -- she is so fabulous it is amazing.  But her office (her name is Julie Mitnick and she is INCREDIBLE) has this PLACE in the middle of it they keep calling "The Parlor" Luckily the staff know me very well and know never to insist I go wait there to see if they need more films or what they are finding just to leave me in the mammo machine room and basically leave me alone. I have to say that the women waiting in The Parlor look a lot more together than me for the most part.  Maybe they aree just better actresses or took took better meds before they came??  One year I took so many anti anxiety meds before I went that I was in that room looking at a poster of a 1950s Vogue magazine fashion shoot that I was so wasted that I started talking to the models in the picture.  My friends tell me if i keep having mammograms I'll need Dr. Drew Pinsky instead of Dr. Julie Mitnick....

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