So today was my "recall" mammogram.
(be forewarned, I pretty much tell my stories without leaving anything out....because there will be someone out there someday who "googles" recall mammogram, and wants to know what to expect, just like me, and I hope this helps in some way. )
I was supposed to be there at 7:30 A.M. In hindsight, now I wonder, what waaaaasss I thinking when I made the appointment for that time? Why would anyone want to be anywhere like that first thing in the morning?? Traffic was horrible and even in the town of Tyler, Texas with our two fine hospitals, it is somewhat difficult to find your way through the maze of hospitals and clinics and parking garages and parking lots trying to figure out where you are supposed to be!!
I actually think I checked in at 7:50, I'm sure they appreciate me :) That's actually VERY unusual for me, I try to always be on time and HATE being late.
They have a volunteer who takes you back and shows you the "dressing room". Once she left, I had to change out of my shirt and bra and into the wonderful little front snap opening gown they want you to wear. You keep your blue jeans on of course. You are supposed to put that on and then go sit back out in the little waiting area. There were two other ladies out there, and it's always hard for me because I am the kind of person who will talk to everyone, and you kind of have to sit and judge whether to even make eye contact with anyone there since we are all sitting in there braless with gowns on. :) I did end up speaking with one lady, and it turns out she works with Jackie :) Such a small world sometimes.
They finally called me back and the tech was absolutely fantastic. I don't think people realize when they are training people for these types of jobs how much they should train them in "bedside manner"...or how to help patients relax and calm their fears a little. I was starting to think I needed some fears calmed when I could plainly see a huge spot on my previous mammogram. I really started to think, well, looks like I am going to be in for a long morning of discussing options etc...
She had to redo both sides, and mark x's over the places where she needed to line up the machines for closer views. It was bad enough to think it was one side, but both sides?? Seriously??
So after I was mashed and pinched and squeezed and had to hold my breath umpteen times, I was ushered into a dark quiet waiting room. She told me I was the first patient of the day to have a sonogram done, and I could turn on the TV. I just opted to sit in the quiet and flip through some magazines. Sometimes you just don't want to hear any noise of any type.
At this point, I was like...well....wonder what's coming next.
What will the sonogram say??
What will the sonogram say??
The sonogram girl came in and got me and she was about the most "matter of fact" kind of person there ever was. Definitely nothing like the first girl, and pretty much is one of those people who distances herself from her patients. The kind of person who annoys me but I understand she's doing her job, and that's what she's paid to do. But when your patients are in there for something that you feel like is going to change their lives, it would be handy to have a smile on your face and a kind word to say to your them. She had a ruler out while she was doing my sonogram, and I asked her why, and she said, your Dr. will discuss that with you. Wow, yeah, I understand you are not allowed to give medical advice totally, but really, could you not have phrased it a little nicer?? I have no doubt she does an excellent job at her "job"....but boy could she work on her demeanor.
She did sonograms on both sides, flipping me this way and that and making me put my arms this way and that, and then said....the Dr. will be in momentarily.
He LITERALLY was in momentarily.
So he came in and asked me if I had any previous symptoms or mammograms.
Both were a No
Then he said he was going to do a visual check and an exam.
This almost makes me laugh typing it. Some guys think they would kill for that job. I'm sure it loses it's appeal after the five thousandth time and for every time you have to break the horrible news to someone that they do indeed have breast cancer.
Then he had to redo the sonograms so he could see for himself and explain to me what he is looking at.
The spot he was seeing on one side was a lymph gland in an odd place...he says he sees it all the time...I said that's so weird...haha and then he said...it's really not...I literally see it all the time. He said that was nothing to worry about at all.
On the other side I do have a tumor. He said that was actually the reason I was called back in. He is quite certain that it is a non malignant tumor, called a Fibroadenoma. He told me he didn't see any reason to do a biopsy on it at this time, because of the shape etc. He did say that I will have to return for follow up mammograms every six months for a while to keep checking on it.
Here is what I have found on fibroadenoma...of course it says it occurs mostly in women under thirty...and you and I both know I am wayyyy over that :)
So for now, all is ummm well...kind of "good" in Carol land.....but now I will always have that worry in the back of my mind about it
Fibroadenoma of the breast is a noncancerous (benign) tumor.
Fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor of the breast and the most common breast tumor in women under age 30.
A fibroadenoma is made up of breast gland tissue and tissue that helps support the breast gland tissue.
Black women tend to develop fibroadenomas more often and at an earlier age than white women. The cause of fibroadenomas is not known.Fibroadenomas are usually single lumps, but about 10 - 15% of women have several lumps that may affect both breasts.
Lumps may be:
After a physical examination, one or both of the following tests are usually done:
A core needle biopsy must be performed to get a definite diagnosis. Women in their teens or early 20s may not need a biopsy if the lump goes away on its own or if the lump does not change over a long period of time.
For more information on the different types of breast biopsies, see:
If a biopsy shows that the lump is a fibroadenoma, the lump may be left in place or removed.
The decision to remove the lump is made by the patient and the surgeon. Reasons to have it removed include:
Women with fibroadenoma have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer later in life. Lumps that are not removed should be checked regularly by physical exams and imaging tests, following the doctor's recommendations.If the lump is left in place and carefully watched, it may need to be removed at a later time if it changes, grows, or doesn't go away.
In very rare cases, the lump may be cancerous and you may need further treatment.Call your health care provider if you have a lump that is thought to be a fibroadenoma and it grows or changes in any way.I found this on a different website and it's pretty interesting...we all know I can cut down on my caffeine intake LOL
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fibroadenoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
A fibroadenoma is made up of breast gland tissue and tissue that helps support the breast gland tissue.
Black women tend to develop fibroadenomas more often and at an earlier age than white women. The cause of fibroadenomas is not known.
Symptoms
Lumps may be:
- Easily moveable under the skin
- Firm
- Painless
- Rubbery
Signs and tests
A core needle biopsy must be performed to get a definite diagnosis. Women in their teens or early 20s may not need a biopsy if the lump goes away on its own or if the lump does not change over a long period of time.
For more information on the different types of breast biopsies, see:
Treatment
The decision to remove the lump is made by the patient and the surgeon. Reasons to have it removed include:
- Abnormal biopsy results
- Shape of the breast has changed
- Worry or concern about cancer
- Mammogram
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound
Expectations (prognosis)
Complications
In very rare cases, the lump may be cancerous and you may need further treatment.
Calling your health care provider
References
- Iglehart JK, Smith BL. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 34.
- Valea FA, Katz VL. Breast diseases: diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 15.
- Miltenburg DM, Speights VO Jr. Benign breast disease. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2008;35:285-300.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fibroadenoma
Alternative treatments for breast fibroadenomas include a low-fat, high-fiber, vegetarian-type diet; a reduction in caffeine intake; supplementation with evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis), flax oil, or fish oil and vitamins E and C; and the application of hot compresses to the breast. In addition, a focus on liver cleansing is important to assist the body in conjugation and elimination of excess estrogens. Botanical remedies can be useful in hormone balancing, as can acupuncture and homeopathy. Massaging the breasts with castor oil, straight or infused with herbs or essential oils, can help fibroadenomas reduce and dissipate, as well as keep women in touch with changes in their breast tissue.
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