Abnormal mammogram and freaking out

[ttichenor]

Had my first mammogram 3 or 4 years ago after good friend found a lump on her first self exam. She had been in a women's health seminar at school and decided to do self exam. Thank goodness she did. She caught hers early.

Anyway, this prompted me to have a mammogram. First one, okay, next year, suspicious areas, retest, then ultrasound, then come back in 3 months to recheck. Then come back in the next 3 months. Luckily, all okay.

Lots and lots of pixie dust your way. And I agree you should tell DH.

 

[browneyes]

Are you a heavy coffee/caffeine drinker? It might be something from that.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Prayers to you! I'm sure it will be okay. Your in my thoughts!

 

[Patty3]

I wish I could make it better for you. I have been through this and know what it feels like, the waiting is awful. About 5 years ago, something suspicious was found on my mammogram. It was a shadow sort of thing and I have it checked every year and so far it has turned out to be nothing. Please try not to worry, we will all be thinking of you.

 

[crz4mm2]

Kim,
I have been there and done that . I flunked my first mammo, had follow up Ultrasound and the 'nodules' were two cysts. nothing to worry about. Is this your first mammo? My radiologist said if it was a subsequent mammo we would know I had cysts already and would ignore them.
Good thoughts, prayers and PD coming your way! Try not to worry (know that is easier said than done!!) I am sure you will be fine.

 

[#1 DOUG Live Fan]

Kim,

I was just talking to my friend about this a couple weeks ago. She used to be a mammogram technician. She said that something like 95% of the people who get called back for a second mammogram end up having nothing at all. They can be shadows and such on the film. Some doctors are more cautious than others...just depends. Some will call back to save their butts, should anything develop down the road. Other doctors call almost all patients back if they see anything even remotely resembling anything.

So, as hard as it may be to stop freaking out and imagining the worst, please take a deep breath and keep this information in mind. 95% is a large percentage, so the odds are in your favor.

Think happy thoughts,

Liz

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Kim. Good wishes are with you, along with a prayer of comfort.

We have gone through this here at our home with my wife, Marie. Most recently a very long ordeal over months. You will have your answer soon, though it seems like a lifetime, true. And you will get a negative. You'll see. Any help any of us can be to you here, with a post, PM or email, we're here.

's

Dan

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've had both: scares which turned out to be benign and the Real McCoy. I am here to say that chances are excellent that it is just a scare. I take it from your post you are pretty young which makes it even more unlikely to be anything serious. And as another person said, even most biopsies come back negative should it get that far. The good news is that for the cases that are the real thing, early detection and treatment makes the whole picture brighter so it sounds like you are in good hands.

Say your prayers. Think about all the good things you're going to do with your life should this turn out alright (and then follow through). In the meantime, find something else to focus on - get out of the house, go see a movie, have dinner with friends, etc... Definitely share with DH, how would you feel if he didn't share something like this with you? (For better or worse, in sickness and health...) And when this is over you'll have a new appreciation for your HEALTH and GOOD FORTUNE!

Hugs to you, Please keep us up to date.

 

[nativetxn]

{{{HUGS}}} sweetie. I've been called back for repeat mammograms, ultrasounds and needle biopsies. The results, so far, have been benign.

I'm saying a prayer that your results are also benign.

Katholyn

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by KimR
Has anyone else had experience with this?

Yes - almost everytime that my sister or I go for our mammograms we have to go back and get a sonogram. This has happened several times to us both and they have NEVER found anything.

Just be glad that they are so diligent about reading the mammograms. You want them to be extra, extra careful. My mother died of breast cancer 6 years ago. Her cancer was not discovered until it had spread to her lymph nodes - then it spread to her liver and lungs. Had it been found earlier she would still be with us.

I can understand your apprehension. I hope you can try to put it aside and enjoy this weekend. It doesn't even bother me anymore when they call me to come back in. After this proves to be a false alarm for you, you'll probably be able to be less nervous for future tests.

 

[aprilgail2]

That same thing happens to me almost every time I have a mamography done! I wish they would just save me the trouble and do the ultrasound form the beginning!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Been there! Had surgery! Came back benign! Whew!

Good thinking on your doc's part for the anti-anxiety med. I freaked out way too much. Widowed with a baby at the time.

Prayers for you that it's benign.

 

[CamColt]

Prayers & Pixie Dust on the way!!!