Ladies - Mammogram question?

[scrappinmom]

Hi all...I'm hoping someone else has gone thru this and can calm my nerves. I just turned 40 in january, went in for my first mammogram last friday, got called Monday asking me to come back, they wanted to do more films on the left side...ok so I went back on tuesday, they took 6 more films, got called later that day...can I come for an ultrasound...ok sure...went for that today...now I just got called for a another higher lever ultrasound tomorrow! I'm so scared!!!!!!!!!!! Of course I have yet to actually SEE or talk to an md. I've just been seeing the tech and nurses...who of course can't tell me anything. So I literally have no clue.

have any of you ever been taken so far on your first mammogram and have it turn out to be nothing?

 

[grinningghost]

Yep. My last mammogram, they did the mammogram twice and then sent me for the ultrasound.

Turned out to be nothing, but it scared me to death. Stay positive that they're just trying to get a better look and it will be nothing to worry about.

 

[luckywife]

Could you maybe call your family doctor and ask him what all of these tests might mean?

I've never been through anything like this before so I can't offer any advice. I hope everything turns out well for you

 

[PixiePop]

Two years ago my mother went for her first mammogram (I know, I know-but she is not very compliant). Anyway, they called her back and told her that there was a possibility that she had breast cancer, because of the way her calcifications looked. She had to have a biopsy in each breast. We were all scared to death waiting for the results.

It ended up that she was fine. So good luck to you.

 

[pumba]

first of all .......good that you went for your first mammogram.......they usually do one for a base. My sister just went for one and had to have two ultrasounds and then they had to do a biopsy because she had a cyst. The cyst showed up as a mass and she was terrified too. It proved to be calcification of her breasts and both sides have it. I will keep you in my thoughts and remember to ask questions when you go. They usually will tell you whats going on and will calm you.

 

[MarySB]

Yes. They even went so far as to do a biopsy. Everything was OK. Crazy things go on with hormones when you're in your forties. Hang in there!

 

[Daxx]

Yes -- first mamm. and they had to redo the films on the right side. Thankfully, I was there waiting for results. Redid the right side and found a small cluster of about 3 or 4 calcifications. Scheduled me for a sterotactic needle core biopsy a few days later. That came back negative. I guess calcifications show poss. pre-cancer (?).

Went for 6 mo. mammogram last month and no changes, so I'm pleased.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Go check out the GAGWTA Dis Breast Cancer Survivors thread ... they'll help you out ... they helped me out! Prayers and pixie dust to you!

 

[scrappinmom]

Thanks, I"m hoping to have some answers tomorrow...it's just so nerve wracking!!!!!!!

 

[minnie56]

are funny things

And at your age they are still quite dense and hard to read on a mammogram. Sometimes it takes 2-3 different types of xrays to get a good look. Stop worrying...I am sure all is fine. It is easy to get worried I do understand..but deep breaths and just keep in mind that they are taking a thorough look, that's all!

 

[minnie56]

I cannot even sa y that innocent little word? It began and ended with B...oy vey

 

[MerryPoppins]

Obviously, I didn't get the news that everything was fine, but I have known many women who got called back and it was nothing. Try not to worry.

And come over to the breast cancer thread if you'd like. You don't have to have cancer to come talk to us and we've all been where you are now. Waiting is the worst. I'll be praying that you get good news.

 

[Pixiedust34]

This is easier said than done, but try not to worry until you have some solid information. Perhaps you can call your doctor tomorrow, or ask if there is a doctor to talk to at the mammogram and sonogram office. All the best to you.

 

[HOGFAN]

Yes -- first mamm. and they had to redo the films on the right side. Thankfully, I was there waiting for results. Redid the right side and found a small cluster of about 3 or 4 calcifications. Scheduled me for a sterotactic needle core biopsy a few days later. That came back negative. I guess calcifications show poss. pre-cancer (?).

Went for 6 mo. mammogram last month and no changes, so I'm pleased.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Go check out the GAGWTA Dis Breast Cancer Survivors thread ... they'll help you out ... they helped me out! Prayers and pixie dust to you!

I will weigh in since Ive been doing mammos for 20 years.
Calcification: everyone has them if you look hard enough. When we see new, clustered calcifications in an area we havent seen them before we go....
"why now and why in this area"
lots of stuff cause calcs, both good and bad...trauma, fibrocystic condition(note I didnt call it a disease, because its not), and yes cancer.
So sometimes we have to get a closer look at them to determine which kind.

 

[scrappinmom]

Wow, never mind....I just read some of the messages on the breast cancer thread...I'm sorry to have brought this up when so many of you are praying for your friend Lisa.

I'll post my results later

 

[MinnieM3]

Awww, waiting IS so hard! Hang in there. If you don't get some answers tomorrow I'd be a real pest to my doctor and demand to know *something* before the weekend, whether it's 'nothing" or "something".

 

[CarolA]

I do this almost EVERY time. Then we aspirate the cysts. Tomorrow tell them you are NOT leaving until you speak to the radiologist.. (She/he is there somewhere at most facilities, if not find a new facility for next year's visit!)

At my hosptial in Nashville that was never an issue. At supposedly the "best hosptial" in Atlanta I had to pitch a fit. Apparently, here you are expected to meekly wait on the almighty MD. Sorry MD's are HUMANS and I am not their pet toy!

 

[MerryPoppins]

No really. That's okay. We can pray for you too! And it's a huge upper for all of us when we find out that it was nothing for you to worry about. Honest!

 

[PlutoPony]

Keep in mind this is a baseline that they will be comparing future mamograms to They want to make sure they know what they're starting with, and later on will be looking for changes from this baseline so it's important to get things clearly defined to begin with. I often have to have ultrasounds, and like to think that if there really IS something there that needs to be taken care of, they'll find it sooner rather than later.
But waiting IS hard

 

[scrappinmom]

Thanks everyone! You know what? you're right...why the heck should I wait till MOnday for some answers...besides this weekend is my 17th wedding anniversary AND my dh's 40th birthday! We have plenty more to do than to worry about me! I will not leave there until someone tells me something!

Thank you! You know I came here to the DIS because I love disney, and was planning a trip last year...but WOW have I gotten SO much more out of being here! Thank you so much

 

[NHAnn]

Wow, never mind....I just read some of the messages on the breast cancer thread...I'm sorry to have brought this up when so many of you are praying for your friend Lisa.
I'll post my results later

Please don't be sorry!! Lisa is a friend of Laurabelle, one of the originators of the thread. Laura's been keeping us up to date with Lisa's brave battle with the "beast" as we sometimes call it.
But there are many posts on the thread that are just chit chat and info, and most important: support and caring.

Waiting and wondering is really MORE difficult than a lot of the treatments some of us have had!

In any event...multiple mammograms, sonograms and waiting for results can be nerve wracking. I always try to reassure myself that it is a GOOD thing that they are being so thorough. Techniques for screening are always improving. ...resulting in more callbacks and more testing, more biopsies too with the less invaive techniques on that procedure. Try to keep in mind that even though the odds are hugely in your favor that you are just fine--- early detection is a very GOOD thing, in case it is something.

Hang in there Chris, and please don't feel uncomfortable on the Survivor's thread...we welcome the chance to support each other and answer questions, and we have fun too!!