First mammoram after radiation therapy

Didn't have the pain
but I was scared of the results-I know that we all are! No matter how brave you are,that is a scary time! I hope that your results are good and that you can breathe a sigh of relief after!

cats_toy said:

first mammo
Hi Neda, I just had my first ever mammo last Friday. But it was two years after my surgery. They did take a lot of my breast on the lumpectomy because the tumor was close to the skin, and I couldn't see having one done before this. Even if your lumpectomy was small, we are still tender for awhile. February seems too soon to me, but if your docs think it's ok?
I had a diagnostic, which wasn't too bad, it was the compression ones done after that that were kind of painful, but they only did those because they needed clearer pictures.
Good luck to you, I will believe that you will get an all clear just as I did.


=^..^=

Neda... first mammo after?
I just knew I couldn't handle it and tried to cancel my appointment with My Oncologist (Dr. Charisma-Bypass)...He is the most unsympathetic sod, no bedside manner and I figured if I didn't do what he had ordered, he'd kick me out anyway.

Anyway, they put me through to his nurse and she said..."OK, Don't have the mammo but do come see the doc"... So I went, and he was actually nice about it, he said If I was so sure I couldn't handle it; to just have it done when I could.....I nearly passed-out! He said it was different for everyone and I had to gauge when the time was right for me.

I had surgery, Chemo and rads. Still too painful to touch after nearly a year.

Hope this helps.... Hugs J

tasha_111 said:

Neda... first mammo after?
I just knew I couldn't handle it and tried to cancel my appointment with My Oncologist (Dr. Charisma-Bypass)...He is the most unsympathetic sod, no bedside manner and I figured if I didn't do what he had ordered, he'd kick me out anyway.

Anyway, they put me through to his nurse and she said..."OK, Don't have the mammo but do come see the doc"... So I went, and he was actually nice about it, he said If I was so sure I couldn't handle it; to just have it done when I could.....I nearly passed-out! He said it was different for everyone and I had to gauge when the time was right for me.

I had surgery, Chemo and rads. Still too painful to touch after nearly a year.

Hope this helps.... Hugs J

Tasha,that's too funny
Dr. Charisma Bypass!!

Hey, Neda
Yeah, I think that very first mammo after diagnosis/treatment is particularly difficult for probably all of us. Lots of stress and anxiety, in addition to fear of extra pain. I'm a little late to this thread today - the other posters have already provided good advice. We're all different...

I am wondering why your doctor has ordered this so soon after surgery/rads; but, I'll assume there's a good reason. If you're mostly afraid of additional discomfort yet still want to proceed - I'll suggest you call ahead and ask if you can take some sort of pain med prior to. I'm over 5 years out from surgery/chemo/rads - and mammos are still very painful for the affected breast. So, I take a few OTCs a couple of hours before (to give them a chance to kick in), and also after, sometimes for a day or two for the residual soreness.

Whatever you do, I'll be sincerely hoping that your mammo results are clean. THAT is what's most important of all.

Kind regards, Susan

Piggies said:

Mammogram After Radiation!
I finished radiation in October 2008. I had a lumpectomy in July 2008 and DID NOT NEED CHEMO (Oncotype DX test indicated low recurrence score) I had my first mammogram after radiation in January 2009 and another one in April 2009. I'm scheduled for the next one in July 2009. I did not have any pain during the test, it was a typical mammogram. Everything was fine, however, in my case the place that I go to for the mammogram picked up "post operative findings and marks from the radiation". My oncologist, breast surgeon, radiation oncologist and gynecologist all said that these showings on the test are normal. Honestly, I wasn't to nervous for the first one in January or even the second one in April. I figured that the chances of there being something there so soon after radiation was very unlikely. Everything was fine and I need to believe that everything will be fine going forward, otherwise I'll make myself nuts.

Ouch
I had a mammo 10 months after my lumpectomy and 6 months after rads. It was a hold your breath and pray time. I had another one in April. The same pain and tenderness. Because I am small, they had a toughies of a time getting all of me in the machine. So I stood at a very weird angle. It can be done, but it is not easy. Hugs, Cindy

Jeanne D said:

I am scared to death to get
I am scared to death to get my first one. I hope they have me get it a longgggggggg ways off from now. I don't want it and I am still way too sore to even think about it. I wish everyone luck that has one and is going to have one soon!

Jeanne
If you can handle it....Do it!.. If you can't........don't. Just explain your feelings and they will understand. I wish you luck.......Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

creampuff91344 said:

Neda, I had my first mammo
Neda, I had my first mammo following chemo/rads in February 2009 (three months following completion of tx). I told the technician who administered the test that it was my first, and she was very understanding, and extremely cautious. If it had become unbearable, she told me she would stop the test, and they would resort to another method to check the tissue (MRI, ultrasound, etc). However, it wasn't that bad....no worse than a normal mammo. You can do it, and if not, then speak up. We are responsible for our own health, and health treatment, so don't be afraid to tell someone when it is more than you can bear. Good luck, and I hope you are able to get through the mammo. Hugs.

Judy

Having a mammogram terrifies
Having a mammogram terrifies me too. I am still way too sore to even consider one. And, the fear of what they may find again is just way too scary. I hope I can wait at least a year before I have to have one. I guess my oncologist will suggest what is best.

First Mammo
Neda, I will keep you in my prayers...I haven't had my first mammogram yet. Scheduled for one in September. They told me when I have my first one that it will come back not good. and not too panic. But then they will do a ultrasound.

I am new too the site, but I look and visit everyday.

God Bless you

first mamo
my surgery was in november...my first mamo is in september. and I will tell you I am scared. They told me not too be freaked out if it comes back abnornmal. because it will. will probably be scar tissue.I would then have a ultrasound. so my recommendation would be, just give me the ultrasound..why give me pain when your going to do an ultrasound.

anyway...I will keep you in my prayers