I could be the poster child for getting mammograms!

To begin with, I am a 42 year old, married 22 years, mother of an Army Ranger and a freshman in college. I have no family history of ANY cancers or underlying health conditions other than high colesterol. I personally have Ankylosing spondylitis.

As my topic line suggests, I could be a poster child for mammograms. I put off my first mammogram for two years. Why you ask? I was terrified to do a breast self exam and thought having a mammogram would hurt. As I have no history, I felt I would be safe. I told all friends and family that I would be ok to not have one.

Since January 2, 2015, I have now had 6! As fate would have it, when I finally succumbed to pressure and made the appointment, it was discovered that I had a small Golf ball sized calcification. I will start at the beginning. I arrived early for my appointment and was taken back and told to undress and put on the dreaded robe. When it was my turn to go for imaging I was told up front that afterwards I should expect a postcard In the mail saying all was fine and they would see me in a year. I have never wanted a postcard so badly. Needless to say, I was not to be so lucky. I had already gotten dressed when the radiologist ran after me asking if I had time for a doctor to review the images. Sure I said while really thinking of all I had to do that afternoon... Grocery shop for a dinner party that night that included my son and his fiancé, his best friend, and an Army buddy that my husband did 3 tours in Iraq with! Clearly I wasn't planning on a delay here.

The doctor reviewed images and requested more. Now I had to undress again and be anxious and uncomfortable. Images taken, I was asked to allow time for doctor review. Still in front opening gown, I was escorted into the friends and family room, only no friends or family were present. I was told I had a 'small Golfball sized calcification' rated a BI-RADS 5 and told I have some of the densesed breast the doctor has ever seen. After discussion with two doctors, a nurse came in to schedule biopsy. I insisted on waiting almost 3 weeks as my son was in town and is soon deploying again. What a long wait! Worse than most things in my life. I had a stereotactic biopsy yesterday and all I can say is you know a man devised that uncomfortable table!!! I had 5 samples taken and should get results tomorrow.

I know my writing is long and maybe tiresome to some but I wanted to express my gratitude for this site and the solace it has thus far given me. I also hope that someone will read it and find it humorous and upbeat. I also wish someone who dreads the thought of mammograms and their possible outcomes choses to not wait 2 years to have their first one. I remain hopeful for a negative result.