I am really nervous!***update***

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hi everyone,
Since this is health related, I hope it is ok to post it here. I don't really want to post it on the CB, becouse here I feel I am among family!

Today I have to go for a mammogram. I am sooooo scared. I had to have one when I was in my early 20's, but then I wasn't as big and they didn't have far to be squished! Now, I have a bit more, (of course DH is happy! ) so I am really worried about the pain. I know it is what is needed right now, but I am just in need of happy and "not so painfull" thoughts!

****** update!********
I am done! WOOHOOOOO! I was so nervous. when I was changing I had to fight back the tears. But it was all ok. At times I felt like a contortionist with the positions she was trying to get me in! I did take ohMom's advice and tried to relax. It went so fast. I must have had one of the newer machines, because it really didn't hurt, just a pressure. During the last one, I almost started laughing, because I was thinking "compression is my friend, compression is my friend....."

 

[JESW]

Sorry that you are feeling tense about the mammogram! I have had three so far. The first was not so bad, the second was the pits, but this last one was not bad at all!! really! I think they are getting better at doing them. The good thing is that they are over soon.

Hope you have a better day!

Jill

 

[tiggerlover]

I have never had a mammogram so I don't know what they are like. But I just wanted to send a little pixie dust from me to you. {{HUGS}}

 

[wovenwonder]

Let me know how it goes for you Vija! I have to make that dreaded appointed soon too! I should have made it a month ago. I've never had one either. This is one of the joys I have of turning 40!

Vija is just a young-un folks! (didn't want them to think you were 40 yet!).

{{{{HUGS}}}} Vija
I think this is perfect for these boards! WISH = We Are Inspiring to Stay Healthy! You are doing something to keep your body healthy. I think it is okay for the WISH board!
Jody

 

[lmhall2000]

I've had several- when I was 21 I had a tumor that had to be removed- very scary. But the last time I went the machine had changed a bit and was much more comfortable- hopefully you'll get the newer model. And while you're "being checked" envision the new bra you'll be buying when you meet your goals! For some humor- my husband could tell I was losing weight because my bras weren't cutting off my circulation- he couldn't understand why I just wouldn't break down and buy a bra that fit- but I refused to go above a 40DD- now after 10 pounds I'm on the tightest rung- isn't that silly not to go for a 42? So I tried to convince myself that I was always a 40! And, boy they do feel much better now!
Tara

 

[ohMom]

Vija - I am a registered Radiologic Technologist in General Radiography and Mammography (sounds impressive huh? i used all my big words just for you)

point is - when I am a working Mom, I do mammograms. This should not hurt!!! It will feel snug as the more compressed the breast tissue is, the more clear the picture will be (good for you) but please please tell your tech if it is painful and she will back up the compression for you! Don't be intimidated. Remember it is quick and the paddle with automatically lift up at the end of the exposure.

IMO big breasts are easier to position then flat chested women. Try to relax your shoulder so that the tissue seperates from the chest wall muscles easier.

Don't be alarmed if she needs to use more then one picture to demonstrate all your breast - the cassettes are sized and quite often an entire breast just doesn't fit, especially after being compressed. But, remember, compression is your friend! If you're going to go through this you want the best picture possible, right?!?

You are strong person! Take a deep breath, bite the bullet, and soon you'll hear the beep! Let your mind wander in the short period of time between being compressed and released and be proud that you endured the exam for your better health!

BTW, Mom just had her mammo last week if you want to PM her for a little peptalking too!

Sending much PD for a quick, no-more-uncomfortable-then-needs-to-be mammo today!

I just had a mental pic of that email cartoon that floated around where an old lady is walking around with pancake boobs after her mammo! Nothing like that!

ps - if I may - a note to all - it is a mamm-o-gram, not a mamm-i-o-gram

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for your support guys, it means alot!

ohMom,

i used all my big words just for you

You crack me up!!!

But seriously thanks for the helpful hints. I will try to relax my shoulders, and if it hurts, thanks for telling me it is ok to tell them, I thought you just had to endure.

compression is your friend

I'll try and use that mantra today......

 

[Lynn CC]

I just had one on April 17, I just close my eyes, hold my breath and it's over with before I can think about it!
{HUGS}
I had surgery last June for a lumpectomy so I have one that is still very tender when squashed! It honestly wasn't that bad at all, nothing that made me say I'm never doing that again, which is exactly what I said after I gave birth to my son LOL

 

[Amelia]

I've had bad experiences with mammograms too but the lady who did mine told me that as you get older you lose breast tissue and the mammogram get easier. That sounds like a "good news bad news" kind of thing! The good news is the test will be less painful and the bad news is your breasts have lost tissue and are now saggy!!

Since breast cancer runs in my family and right now I have a sister who is fighting an on going battle I think a little discomfort (ok, it's pain!) is worth the peace of mind that this test can give. I don't know if I carry the breast cancer gene or not but every clean mammogram is a small victory for me.

Good luck today with your test.

Amelia

 

[TigH]

Truly, EEEEEK!

Good luck! You'll be in my thoughts today! I hope your nerves calm down before you go through the procedure. Hang in there!

 

[airhead]

I go every year,infact had my "hugs" last week and everything is
fine!!


airhead

 

[nativetxn]

Well, that does it I'm just going to have to put my real life on hold and just concentrate on WISH.

This is the second really important thing I missed because I wasn't online until later in the day

Sorry I wasn't around to offer support. Stress is a big challenge for all WISHers it can affect our goal of losing weight. I think that this post is perfectly placed here on WISH.

I'm so glad the experience wasn't as bad as you feared. {{{HUGS}}} my friend.

 

[JESW]

Glad to hear that all went well! See, we told you!

Jill

 

[ohMom]

It's done!!!! I'm honored that my funnies kept your spirits up!

And -- just think of how much clearer your pictures were by tolerating the compression as well as you did! Sending a cyber-pat on the back!! You did something very beneficial for your health!!