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Callback mammogram
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 340868" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>OK, I'm back home. it's been a long day.</p><p></p><p>difficult child 3 managed OK with the delivery of mother in law's elevating recliner, although he didn't get them to move the old chair out of the way. Oh well, at least he got it in the right room. We'll manage the rest. difficult child 3 didn't get as much schoolwork done today as I'd hoped, however. Still, he might get more done tonight. He's disgusted with himself, which is really good. I didn't have to nag at all.</p><p></p><p>I thought I was just going for a repeat ultrasound, but I had triggered what I'm calling Phase 2, which is directly linked to an increasing number of Phases. This wasn't just "Let's have a repeat mammogram," this was, "we found something and we're going to make darned sure we check it out far more thoroughly."</p><p></p><p>The mammogram I had two weeks ago was routine, mass-production. Walk into the room, whip off your top and bra, flop the boob onto the tray, get the clamp thing happening, do it a couple of times for each boob then get dressed and rack off. Ten minutes, tops.</p><p></p><p>This time - I arrived, got taken immediately to an interview room. "You're here for a callback, which means we found something that needs to be checked out. It's probably nothing to be concerned about, but we have to do our jobs properly and make sure. If it IS something, then our screening program means we've almost certainly caught it early."</p><p>I had to sign waivers and was told that I would be getting another mammogram and after that there could well be more. Each stage would continue until they got enough answers to satisfy them. Mammogram certainly, ultrasound probably. Then after that, maybe biopsy.</p><p>Then I was shown to a change room and told to remove my bra but leave my top on. From there I had to wait in a room with a handful of other women in similar saggy states. I felt they needed a sign on the door, "For the Fallen".</p><p>Tea and coffee facilities there. Good. They had decaf coffee there as well as "full-leaded". Also good. Lots of women's magazines and in the corner a basket of knitting - squares for blankets for the needy. So I got knitting. And it seemed that each time I had just begun a row, someone would call for me.</p><p>First the mammogram - it was similar to the one two weeks ago - again, much more pleasant than they used to be. Maybe they clamped the thing down a bit more firmly, but it still didn't dig into my armpits like it used to, or feel like it was ripping off my skin.</p><p></p><p>Then back to the room.</p><p></p><p>Within minutes (another half row of knitting) I got called out - time to change. Yes, it was now Phase 3 - getting ready for ultrasound. I had to put a gown on. Not a disposable one, they had lovely cloth gowns, quite pretty. Each one different, hand-made. Nice soft comfortable fabric in floral pastel shades. This place had just about everything. Since it is attached to a major teaching hospital, I suppose it DOES have everything. One stop shop chop lop...</p><p></p><p>Another half row and it was time for the ultrasound. Not done by a sonographer, either, but a doctor. Radiologist specialising in breast tissue. This place means business. She showed me my pictures (including my ultrasound pictures from five years ago, for comparison - they had all my files even though I've never been to this unit before) and pointed out the cavity which they think is a cyst. Right on the back wall. She said that the other doctors would examine the pictures too, but she felt that a biopsy was needed. I asked when it could be organised, she said, "Oh, after I've done the other ladies' ultrasounds. About half an hour."</p><p>I didn't think they would be THAT quick!</p><p></p><p>Back to wait.</p><p></p><p>Another couple of rows of knitting and I got called on again. Definitely biopsy. Fine needle. Phase 4 and probably 5. I had to sign more waivers and was told that if the fine needle didn't produce anything, they would need a more detailed biopsy, like a punch biopsy. It sounded to me like the liver biopsy I had a year ago, on a smaller scale.</p><p></p><p>So there I was, getting my boob prepped and jabbed. The fine needle didn't aspirate much and it was a big effort for the doctor, so she got out the bigger biopsy needle and went after a chunk of tissue instead. Wasn't happy with the size of the chunk, went after another bit then gave up. Said she felt she'd got enough, and the lump IS small, she said. Probably not much of it left to get a second go at it.</p><p></p><p>Back to wait again, this time clutching a small disposable cold pack to the boob. </p><p></p><p>Lunch arrived. Sandwich and orange juice. Bad for my diet, but by this stage I was feeling a bit shocky. I made another cup of coffee but my hands were very shaky indeed. I was being closely watched by the two other women in the room also slated for biopsy. Other women who had been there, had been dismissed as testing out OK.</p><p></p><p>Ate lunch. After forty minutes I gave up on the ice pack and got back to knitting. It's a flamin' good idea, I reckon, putting that knitting there. It calms you down, and also serves a useful purpose. The "wrapped with love" program provides knitted blankets overseas too.</p><p></p><p>I next had to see another doctor who gave me a thorough breast examination. And lymph glands in the armpits. At all stages I was asked about family history, other health history. Finally I was told I was finished for the day. Pathology will have the results back by 1 pm tomorrow. I'm supposed to go back there for the results, but the place is shocking to get to, parking is difficult and it's a long way from home. So they're faxing it all to my GP, they made sure I had an appointment lined up. If I hadn't already made the appointment, they would have done it.</p><p></p><p>So that's about it. I had to wait again for them to package up the pictures, letters, reports etc for my GP. More knitting. I almost finished a square, but finally had to leave it for the next anonymous person to have a go.</p><p></p><p>Tomorrow I'll know for sure what it is. Meanwhile, don't get it wet. And it's hot today, I had been hoping for a swim. But driving home, I could see the anvil-shaped thunderhead building in the southern sky, with its powerhouse of cumulonimbus wrapped around it. The sky is now overcast here and threatening. Not sure if there's be much rain landing from it, but we could be in for quite a light show.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, mother in law was having her heart kick-started in a different hospital. husband was staying in touch with her, he rang her after the procedure but she was still very groggy (it's done under general anaesthetic). I had planned on dropping in to see her, but considering how I was feeling (still a bit shaky, mostly from adrenalin - it's a small procedure but it does involve someone jabbing something into you and chopping out a piece, it's a body insult) and that mother in law was probably too sleepy for much of a visit, I just came home.</p><p></p><p>I'm tired, hot (although I'm drinking iced water and the fan is blowing) and not wanting to do much.</p><p></p><p>I don't have to rush tomorrow, although I won't be back from the GP in time to take difficult child 3 to tennis. He either has to skip it, or take himself.</p><p></p><p>So once I know the result, I'll let you know. But I'm betting, it's just a cyst.</p><p></p><p>I was very impressed at the screening process, though. Good handover with continuity at each stage, plus follow-up with surgeon tomorrow either talking to me, or talking to my GP. If there's a problem and I need surgery, I am told things will happen very fast. Certainly a lot more happened today than I expected.</p><p></p><p>Thanks for caring, guys.</p><p></p><p>I'll let you know the rest of the info tomorrow arvo, my time.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 340868, member: 1991"] OK, I'm back home. it's been a long day. difficult child 3 managed OK with the delivery of mother in law's elevating recliner, although he didn't get them to move the old chair out of the way. Oh well, at least he got it in the right room. We'll manage the rest. difficult child 3 didn't get as much schoolwork done today as I'd hoped, however. Still, he might get more done tonight. He's disgusted with himself, which is really good. I didn't have to nag at all. I thought I was just going for a repeat ultrasound, but I had triggered what I'm calling Phase 2, which is directly linked to an increasing number of Phases. This wasn't just "Let's have a repeat mammogram," this was, "we found something and we're going to make darned sure we check it out far more thoroughly." The mammogram I had two weeks ago was routine, mass-production. Walk into the room, whip off your top and bra, flop the boob onto the tray, get the clamp thing happening, do it a couple of times for each boob then get dressed and rack off. Ten minutes, tops. This time - I arrived, got taken immediately to an interview room. "You're here for a callback, which means we found something that needs to be checked out. It's probably nothing to be concerned about, but we have to do our jobs properly and make sure. If it IS something, then our screening program means we've almost certainly caught it early." I had to sign waivers and was told that I would be getting another mammogram and after that there could well be more. Each stage would continue until they got enough answers to satisfy them. Mammogram certainly, ultrasound probably. Then after that, maybe biopsy. Then I was shown to a change room and told to remove my bra but leave my top on. From there I had to wait in a room with a handful of other women in similar saggy states. I felt they needed a sign on the door, "For the Fallen". Tea and coffee facilities there. Good. They had decaf coffee there as well as "full-leaded". Also good. Lots of women's magazines and in the corner a basket of knitting - squares for blankets for the needy. So I got knitting. And it seemed that each time I had just begun a row, someone would call for me. First the mammogram - it was similar to the one two weeks ago - again, much more pleasant than they used to be. Maybe they clamped the thing down a bit more firmly, but it still didn't dig into my armpits like it used to, or feel like it was ripping off my skin. Then back to the room. Within minutes (another half row of knitting) I got called out - time to change. Yes, it was now Phase 3 - getting ready for ultrasound. I had to put a gown on. Not a disposable one, they had lovely cloth gowns, quite pretty. Each one different, hand-made. Nice soft comfortable fabric in floral pastel shades. This place had just about everything. Since it is attached to a major teaching hospital, I suppose it DOES have everything. One stop shop chop lop... Another half row and it was time for the ultrasound. Not done by a sonographer, either, but a doctor. Radiologist specialising in breast tissue. This place means business. She showed me my pictures (including my ultrasound pictures from five years ago, for comparison - they had all my files even though I've never been to this unit before) and pointed out the cavity which they think is a cyst. Right on the back wall. She said that the other doctors would examine the pictures too, but she felt that a biopsy was needed. I asked when it could be organised, she said, "Oh, after I've done the other ladies' ultrasounds. About half an hour." I didn't think they would be THAT quick! Back to wait. Another couple of rows of knitting and I got called on again. Definitely biopsy. Fine needle. Phase 4 and probably 5. I had to sign more waivers and was told that if the fine needle didn't produce anything, they would need a more detailed biopsy, like a punch biopsy. It sounded to me like the liver biopsy I had a year ago, on a smaller scale. So there I was, getting my boob prepped and jabbed. The fine needle didn't aspirate much and it was a big effort for the doctor, so she got out the bigger biopsy needle and went after a chunk of tissue instead. Wasn't happy with the size of the chunk, went after another bit then gave up. Said she felt she'd got enough, and the lump IS small, she said. Probably not much of it left to get a second go at it. Back to wait again, this time clutching a small disposable cold pack to the boob. Lunch arrived. Sandwich and orange juice. Bad for my diet, but by this stage I was feeling a bit shocky. I made another cup of coffee but my hands were very shaky indeed. I was being closely watched by the two other women in the room also slated for biopsy. Other women who had been there, had been dismissed as testing out OK. Ate lunch. After forty minutes I gave up on the ice pack and got back to knitting. It's a flamin' good idea, I reckon, putting that knitting there. It calms you down, and also serves a useful purpose. The "wrapped with love" program provides knitted blankets overseas too. I next had to see another doctor who gave me a thorough breast examination. And lymph glands in the armpits. At all stages I was asked about family history, other health history. Finally I was told I was finished for the day. Pathology will have the results back by 1 pm tomorrow. I'm supposed to go back there for the results, but the place is shocking to get to, parking is difficult and it's a long way from home. So they're faxing it all to my GP, they made sure I had an appointment lined up. If I hadn't already made the appointment, they would have done it. So that's about it. I had to wait again for them to package up the pictures, letters, reports etc for my GP. More knitting. I almost finished a square, but finally had to leave it for the next anonymous person to have a go. Tomorrow I'll know for sure what it is. Meanwhile, don't get it wet. And it's hot today, I had been hoping for a swim. But driving home, I could see the anvil-shaped thunderhead building in the southern sky, with its powerhouse of cumulonimbus wrapped around it. The sky is now overcast here and threatening. Not sure if there's be much rain landing from it, but we could be in for quite a light show. Meanwhile, mother in law was having her heart kick-started in a different hospital. husband was staying in touch with her, he rang her after the procedure but she was still very groggy (it's done under general anaesthetic). I had planned on dropping in to see her, but considering how I was feeling (still a bit shaky, mostly from adrenalin - it's a small procedure but it does involve someone jabbing something into you and chopping out a piece, it's a body insult) and that mother in law was probably too sleepy for much of a visit, I just came home. I'm tired, hot (although I'm drinking iced water and the fan is blowing) and not wanting to do much. I don't have to rush tomorrow, although I won't be back from the GP in time to take difficult child 3 to tennis. He either has to skip it, or take himself. So once I know the result, I'll let you know. But I'm betting, it's just a cyst. I was very impressed at the screening process, though. Good handover with continuity at each stage, plus follow-up with surgeon tomorrow either talking to me, or talking to my GP. If there's a problem and I need surgery, I am told things will happen very fast. Certainly a lot more happened today than I expected. Thanks for caring, guys. I'll let you know the rest of the info tomorrow arvo, my time. Marg [/QUOTE]
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