Mammograms are NOT fun……..

My Dr found a “lump” a few weeks ago. After numerous threats from my mother (who has had breast cancer twice) I finally made the appointment to get it checked out. I thought I was just going in for an ultrasound but when I walked in they informed me that I was set up for a full baseline mammogram.
I have to say It was all that I’ve heard it to be and MORE.. A LOT of pulling, squishing and standing in awkward positions additional to holding your breath while the technician casually treats your milk jugs like they were play dough and asking about your plans for the day.
Afterwards I sat in a room while the radiologists reviewed my scans. The tech let me know that it would be looked at and then decided whether I needed the ultrasound or not. I was pulled back in twice for a few more views of my left side (the side in question), and then they took me into ultrasound. I hadn’t been worried about it at all for the weeks since my Dr had felt it, until that moment. There was a student with the ultrasound tech and the more she pointed things out to the student on screen the more nervous I got.
I sat on the table waiting and worrying while they grabbed the radiologist. He came in and did the ultrasound again looking at the spot that the tech had pointed out asking her questions about centimeters, and distance. I sat and waited. Finally he explained things to me. There are two large nodes on the left side and one of them is larger than normal but not anything to be concerned about at this time (this is where I took a breath again) but they’d like me to do another mammogram in six months to make sure it hasn’t grown in size (already looking forward to that one!). I was pretty confident walking in, and It was nice to walk out assured. I will be a good patient and follow up in six months, but I am so glad I can cross this off my list now.

Later** I just looked up my report and here is the final paragraph: "The node at the 1:30 position is at the upper limits of normal for size. I would like to obtain follow up mammogram in six months to confirm stability of these presumed probably benign intramammary nodes."

There ya go Mom..