How to stop reading the technicians?
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
LOL! okay, I will pretend under their masks the technicians and radiologists looks like this (and maybe the doctors, too!)
-
Most radiologists probably do look like that under their masks. They are not known for their people skills.
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
Thanks, 2019whatayear. I’m sure you’re right! Going to try to distract myself until results are ready ..
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team