Thinking Out Loud.....

I have a new PCP now, closer to work and home.  So they are scheduling all my other doctors and mams.  I had to change the mam appt cuz it has not been a year until the end of June. The PCP requested a diagnostic bilateral like I have been having for years since dx of BC.  The office calls me back and said the Lowell General Hospital states after 5 years of a neg mam they will do a screening on the good tata and diagnostic on the bad tata.  I said absolutly NOT, it is diagnostic on both or I am going to stay with the Breast Care Center in Woburn.  The nurse told the PCP the PCP called up the hospital and told them what I said.  They agreed to do the diagnostic on both.  WTH I never heard of such a thing.

Deb...What is the difference between diagnostic and screening mammo

My MO doesn't write Diagnostic...but i always tell them it's DXtic because i want to get the answer the same day

Mine is also in June......

Ducky.....Sorry for all the health issues but higher power made a decision that no matter what you are flying and you'll be fine....

Behave and behave.....We want to hear all about your trip...

Hugs♥

A screening mammogram is the standard two-view mammogram that most women get routinely every year after the age of forty. This type of mammogram involves taking two views of the breasts - from top to bottom and from side to side. This type of mammogram is done as a routine screening test when the breasts are normal on exam - and should never be used when there's a lump or other abnormality felt on breast exam.

When a lump is found on breast exam or when a screening mammogram shows a suspicious area, another study called a diagnostic mammogram is done. With a diagnostic mammogram, additional views are taken so the abnormal area can be better visualized - and its exact size, location, and other characteristics can be determined. A diagnostic mammogram will take a little longer to complete than a screening one because of the additional views.

Diagnostic vs. Screening Mammogram: Important Information to Know

If a woman has an abnormal breast exam, she should make sure that a diagnostic mammogram - not a screening mammogram - is ordered. Some doctors automatically order a screening mammogram which doesn't provide enough information.

The Bottom Line?

Screening mammograms are an important part of the screening process for detecting breast cancer, but when a screening mammogram or breast exam shows an abnormality, a diagnostic mammogram is the best choice.

taylor: How is a diagnostic mammogram different from a routine or screening mammogram?Answers -Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D. A routine or screening mammogram consists of four views—two views of each breast. The technologist takes the pictures, checks them for quality, and then you leave. With a diagnostic mammogram, you start with four standard views, and then supplement them with additional views, a physical exam, and ultrasound and MRI as needed. So a diagnostic mammogram is for women who are having a problem such as a lump or unusual nipple discharge or pain. 

A diagnostic mammogram is generally read by the radiologist right after it has been done; ideally the woman does not leave the radiology facility until she has an answer about what is causing her breast problem. Usually the outcome is that everything is fine, but there is a higher incidence of finding cancer in that situation than in a screening situation.

From what I have read, a diagnostic mam should be used an women that have been dx with BC.  I just did not feel comfortable returning to a screening even though the screening mam I had found my BC.  I just feel safer.

I have had MRIs for several years in a row.  They have to be approved by your insurance and many times the insurance will say they approve for the diagnostic side only.  They don't do one sided MRIs so they request authorization again. One time I had six approvals for unilateral MRI until they finally approved a bilateral one.

I will be thinking of you, Ducky.  I really hope you feel better soon.  I have faith you will get through this okay.

DIL called yesterday AM.  She said she had been having contractions through the night and they were getting worse.  My mind started getting packed and organized for the trip.  They went to the hospital around 2, but by 4 they were sent home.  They said it was not real labor and it could be another couple of weeks.  DIL told me she is soooo ready to not be so big.  I am excited about the impending birth, but happy that we can get through another day.  I am off next week Thursday through the following Friday.  It would be nice if I don't have to change those days off.

No, it's not all about me, I would just be less stresses.

I finished training in the Dean's office yesterday.  They were happy with what I learned and as I left I told them thanks and that I had fun.  As I was walking away I heard them laughing that no one ever says they had fun in the Dean's Office.  They said I would be on their request list if the regular Assistant is absent.  That's a good thing.

Today and tomorrow I will train in the Attendance office.  I guess it requires a lot of telephone use to clear absences. The more areas I train in, the more likely I will be used in those areas.  With all high schools in the district, I have agreed to work at 23 of them.  I could work as a sub one day at each and wouldn't repeat one for over a month!

When I got home last night I cleaned the kitchen, familyroom, hall, diningroom, livingroom, guestroom and my closet.  Why? you ask? Because if something happens while we are gone, I don't want any one responding to an emergency in the house to think we've been robbed!  My sewingroom is the only questionable room now.  Gotta get that under control soon.  Tonight we go to my parent's to celebrate Dad's 83rd birthday.

Have a good day everyone.  DOn't let your arms get tired, Ducky!

Your shoulder or your boob MRI?  Is that your standard for the cancer side - an MRI?

Morning Miss Sheila!  Now we have rain and cold....

In Chicago.......made it without medicine.......the Pilot was grateful............amazing.......yippeeeeeeeeee.......will fill you all in later.........hugs.

YAY!! Ducky has landed...

LOL - that's a great pic!

So glad your flight was good, Ducky!  How's your colon?  Hope you are feeling better and that infection is going away.  So scary!  Where did THAT come from?    So excited for you to see all your family and enjoy a wonderful wedding.

How're you doing, Val? 

So sorry for the recent losses.  (((((HUGS))))))

I haven't gone for my mammo.  I went last year.  I don't remember how it was processed - if my surgeon's nurse sent me paperwork or sent it to the radiology place.  But since the results were okay, I never ended up following up with the surgeon - first I procrastinated - then I forgot, then when I remembered, it had been a while and I figured if they didn't miss me, I wouldn't spend the $150 on the appt.  So this year, I haven't heard from them...I wonder if they will contact me or just figure if I haven't called them, I don't want to see them anymore.  I'm a bad patient.  But I also don't like the idea that if I never call my Drs, I will never hear from them - that's how much they care about my health... 

Waiting for DD to descend on the house with her trumpet friends to get busy making Muddy Buddies and brownies to try to sell them at the Relay for Life tomorrow night.  April is so early for the Relay - too cold for me!  July was about right a couple yrs ago - though it was a little too hot during the day and somehow I was still cold at night.  She hasn't had much luck selling stuff the last 2 times she did the Relay, but maybe on campus, students will come by and buy stuff - unless everyone else is selling stuff too.  Maybe they won't if they all didn't go home to bake.

DD has a pic of the two of us before a road race back in '09 as her pic on her webpage for the Relay.  I was wearing my do-rag since I had just finished chemo in Sept (race was on Thanksgiving) and all I had was a 5 o'clock shadow (thicker where the hair never fell out - attractive.)  Since her team is the Brass Babes: Trumpet Players Fighting for a Cure, I thought she should put a pic of her in her uniform with her trumpet (and her friends should too), but she didn't.  I kind of didn't want her to advertise that I'm cancery...  especially since I wanted to try to post something on the alumni FB page to see if I could get any alumni to support them...  Any alumni I know don't need to know I had cancer... 

I'm working 2-7 tomorrow, so I can't help her set up on campus - but "D"H is going to take a half day and go up and help.  His Scout skills come in handy.  Then he is going on a Scout campout Saturday - so I'll have to see if DD needs me to go up and help bring stuff home Sat morning before I have to work 1-6...  I don't know how women work full time and still do all these things. 

(((((((TOL)))))))

Ducky.....since you were fine with your first flight i have a feeling you'll be traveling a lot

We are all very proud of you.....

Diane...It was another chilly and mildly windy day......

Chris.....♥

I am so proud of you, Ducky!

Dr. says baby most likely won't be arriving in the next few days

What do you think?

That picture was taken a couple of weeks ago.  No wonder she is so disappointed that the doctor says it's not going in the next few days.  One week from now we will be in the waiting room anxiously awaiting news of which 'brand' of baby we got.