How to stop reading the technicians?

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Waves2Stars
Waves2Stars Member Posts: 158
edited October 2021 in Waiting for Test Results

Had my mri with contrast today, seeing my oncologist and geneticist for the first time tomorrow. My lump feels bigger since the core biopsy, but I figured it’s because it’s irritated from being sliced and tagged. Or maybe I’m sensitive to titanium. The radiologist came out of the room when I left to change and gave me a long stare. The technician who helps with the iv and gives you direction came to ask me if I’d had genetics tests run. I told her yes, and speaking with doctors tomorrow. She said good luck. I don’t know ifthey were acting like that because I’m 47 or because they saw who knows what. My mammogram and ultrasound didn’t show lymph involvement, but I guess maybe nothing’s certain until surgery. I’m glad they had masks on, or I’d really be scanning their faces for info. I don’t know how to stop looking for “signs” or if it’s even possible to stop doing it when you get a dx like this.

Comments

  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited August 2021

    Well for all you know, they're thinking about the fight they had that morning with their kid/partner/boss or the fact that the dog/cat puked or pooped inappropriately or that they're hungry or need to go for a run but don't have time and on and on and on.


  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited August 2021

    Exactly what edj3 said. The chances of any facial expression on a medical professional's face being about you is pretty miniscule, considering they do this all day, every day.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited August 2021

    How do you stop? Think of what edj3wrote. Face reading is simply not a way to ascertain anything and generally just serves to create more anxiety. There are many things about bc that we can’t control but with practice you can learn to control anxiety provoking thoughts that create more stress. Consider finding a therapist who deals with cancer patients. They can give you some tools to help you cope with perseverating on things . Many of us have found this to be very helpful ! Take care

  • NineTwelve
    NineTwelve Member Posts: 569
    edited August 2021

    I'm beginning to think many in radiology are just particularly awkward. I'm always getting a weird vibe from them, and I'll never forget the time during my ultrasound scan when one tech told me my questions during my exam were distracting her from her work. Not that she didn't have a point, just that the remark was made in such a tentative and almost fearful manner. Like, the patient is a bad side effect of their jobs.

  • Waves2Stars
    Waves2Stars Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2021

    LOL! okay, I will pretend under their masks the technicians and radiologists looks like this (and maybe the doctors, too!)

    image

  • Trishyla
    Trishyla Member Posts: 1,005
    edited August 2021

    Most radiologists probably do look like that under their masks. They are not known for their people skills.

  • PurpleCat
    PurpleCat Member Posts: 358
    edited September 2021

    So glad to find this thread. I just got home my MRI and have been obsessing because the medical assistant asked me on my way out if I had a follow up appointment scheduled. My anxious brain says this obviously means they saw something they know will require follow up. Even though I’m almost positive medical assistant training doesn’t include MRI reading. It’s always reassuring to know I’m not alone

  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited September 2021

    My hospital is catholic so at some of my appts the staff has finished the appt and said they'd pray for me. Threw me for a loop the first couple times.

    People — including my family are always over reading my face, assuming I'm mad or sad or tired when I'm just minding my business usually thinking about what I want to make for dinner.

    Purple Cat I bet that assistant asks everyone if they have a follow up appt scheduled


  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited September 2021

    I've actually found almost all my imaging techs to be warm and respectful. However, I strongly agree with the advice to NOT read into their words or expressions! They know a lot, but they aren't the radiologists or pathologists, and they also can have any number of other things going on in their lives.

  • PurpleCat
    PurpleCat Member Posts: 358
    edited September 2021

    Thanks, 2019whatayear. I’m sure you’re right! Going to try to distract myself until results are ready ..

  • sunnidays
    sunnidays Member Posts: 124
    edited September 2021

    This is an interesting subject, what I have found is, that when I was diagnosed first time by mammogram the tech said in a very stage voice I just want to do some more images of R breast I didn't think anything of it at the time.

    When 7 years later I had the bone scan that showed MBC it was the same thing the tech doing the positioning came over and said we just want to take another look at the hip area and moved me around a bit, as I was leaving the tech behind the glass looking at the slides from the scan turned around and looked at me, at the time I didn't think anything about it much.

    I would say the tec's know what the results show just because of years of experience looking at the slides but there are strict rules about not saying anything which is only correct and proper.

    That was only with those two scans, most scans the tec's are very bland and say the results ready in a few days.

  • Sunshine99
    Sunshine99 Member Posts: 1,680
    edited September 2021

    I was just thinking about this. I had my CT and bone scans yesterday. I know the CT tech pretty well by this point. I really like him. He's always kind, but he doesn't "give anything away" with his words or attitude. My CT scan came back fine/stable. I'll take it.

    My bone scan tech/nurse was also very kind. I don't always get the same person for the injection and the scan, but this time I did. She got very chatty at the end when she wanted to look at a "few more angles". When I glanced/peeked at the monitor, I could see that my pelvis was all lit up. Hmmm. Then, when I was leaving, she said that she saw I was on the schedule for December. Hmmm. Was she trying to tell me something?

    I haven't heard back about the bone scan results yet (they called me at 2:00 PM yesterday with the CT results). I already know I have extensive bone mets, but it still makes me wonder.

    We shall see. I am thankful, though, for the great techs at my clinic and hospital.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited September 2021

    Boy can I relate to this topic. I learned the hard way not to try and read their reactions. I had to go back in to have additional testing done after my mammogram showed one breast bigger than the other. I think I already knew what the result would be but I was still hopeful.

    Anyway after the testing was done the tech said you can get dressed you are done when it walks the radiologist and says you won't like what I'm going to tell you - you have breast cancer. Imagine my shock. That was in 2011.

    Since then I have tried hard not to focus on the techs but it's unnerving to say the least. The techs are great and while not saying anything that would scare me unnecessarily they haven't had to redo anything either. I just think I will never get over the fear even 10 years later. I remind myself they aren't the doctors but I still find myself watching their expressions.

  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited October 2021

    2019whatayear, I also go to a Catholic hospital, and if anyone there said they'd pray for me, I'd report them for inappropriate behavior.


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