My First Mammogram

Okay, since everyone is posting "first day of school" pictures, I thought I would share a bit about one my firsts (don't worry, I'll spare you the picture).  Today, I had a mammogram.  Ladies, let me be the first to tell you, they aren't nearly as bad as everyone says they are!  Maybe the 'old school' mammograms were rough, but this wasn't bad at all.  Yes, a little pressure, but nothing you wouldn't get with a good romp in the hay ;).

I checked into the imaging center, and after a bit of paperwork, they sent me to wait in the waiting room.  Get this ~ they had free snacks and soda!  Okay, it was 9:00 in the morning, so I refrained, but goodness, what a nice touch!

After just a short wait, a nice nurse named Tracey called my name... 5 minutes ahead of my scheduled appointment time!  So, not only do they offer snacks, my appointment was on time if only the airlines would take note of all of this!  Tracey walked me back to a small dressing room where she asked me if I had put on deodorant.  I remember when I called for the appointment, they said not to wear lotions or deodorant the day of my mammogram, so like a good little patient I followed directions.  Good thing they warned me because this has literally been the hottest week of the year.  Thankfully my appointment was in the morning, so there wasn't too much time to get all sweaty.  Apparently deodorant contains little flecks of minerals or metal that can make reading your results more difficult.  I was told to take off my bra and top and they gave me a little cape to wear.

Tracey then led me into another room where the mammogram would take place.  I really hadn't been too nervous up to that point, but walking into that room definitely made my heart jump.  It wasn't the machine or the procedure that made me nervous.  It was knowing that thousands of women walk into that room and that is the first page of their nightmare.  I feel healthy and strong, but I wonder if those women felt the same way before they got the news.  There I go again, "going all Canote."  Another reminder that the BRCA+ thing is a blessing ~ a warning to be vigilant and proactive.

Anyway, Tracey manhandled directed me and my breasts into different positions and my mammogram was finished in about 10 minutes time.  She was very friendly throughout the entire thing and made me feel surprisingly comfortable as I was standing there half naked.  Oh, and she had warm hands.  Big plus, there!

Once I was finished, she said that results are typically read that day and my doctor would notify me if I needed to return for additional images.  She also said since this was my first mammogram that it's not uncommon to get called back in for additional images.  She said if that's the case, don't go into panic mode yet, it happens often (Clearly she didn't know who she was talking to!  Of course I will go into a panic.  That's just how I roll.).

After the mammogram was over, I went back into my dressing room, used some complimentary spray on deodorant and off I went.  Total appointment was less than 20 minutes.

Ladies ~ don't put this off!  It's not a big deal at all.  Afterwards, treat yourself to a Starbucks and consider it just part of 'me' time.