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Callback mammogram
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 340592" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>I usually avoid mammograms. Here in Australia they are free every 2 years if you are over 50; also free if you are younger but at risk. I've been getting my free mammograms since I was 45 (I think they were free from 45 yo when I started) but after the first few I felt they weren't worth it. Part of my medical condition means my lymphatic tissue is almost permanently inflamed and I was finding that as those plates slid together, not only did I get the pinch effect and the Chinese burn on the skin (feeling like the skin was being ripped off my boobs) but the sharp corner of the plates was digging nastily into my sore armpits. Plus I had to stand at such an awkward angle, I would partly lose my balance which would mean I would literally be dangling by my sandwiched boob.</p><p></p><p>But I kept getting my reminders, and I've decided, after a break of four years I think it was, to go back for another mammogram. I was making the usual jokes - "when the guy who invented this agrees to sandwich his gonads between two compressing plates, I'll be back. To watch."</p><p></p><p>But imagine my surprise - far less painful! It was a breeze. of course it's a bit uncomfortable, but no Chinese burn, no digging into the armpit. There's no need for such firm compression any more. I sailed in and sailed out in a few minutes, confident and feeling community-minded and responsible. And virtuous. Insufferably smug.</p><p></p><p>Then I got a letter - there were a few irregularities, they need to repeat the mammogram. probably nothing to worry about. </p><p></p><p>I rang this morning to check how much wiggle room I have for the appointment time. This time I have to go to a major hospital to have it done; the usual Breastscreen clinics aren't where they send the 'repeat offenders". The woman I spoke to was reassuring - there might have been a fold of skin or something. The newer machines are very sensitive and can pick up artefacts. No biggie. But it MUST be done.</p><p></p><p>My GP rang this afternoon. "Did you get your letter about the mammogram callback? Come and see us after the test."</p><p></p><p>Crikey, I'm being nagged! I've told you lot about our health care system before; there is a lot of cross-communication, so I can barely sneeze without my GP knowing about it. OK, I signed the papers saying it was OK to feed info back to the GP (I'd have been mad not to) but it really brings home just how much everything we do is known.</p><p></p><p>I'm not too worried. The only people in the family with breast cancer, are one niece (who got an aggressive cancer very young, I think there is cancer on her father's side and it is her mother who is my sister, I'm not related to her dad) and my great-aunt, who noticed a lump in her breast when she was 80 and chose to not tell the doctor. Finally the cancer perforated and she had to have her breast removed - at 99! It was the first time she had ever been in hospital overnight. Pioneer stock, well and truly. She was back home in three days, strolling in like she'd been on her usual afternoon walk.</p><p></p><p>So I'm not too worried. it's possibly due to my residual lactation. Yes, I know I'm menopausal, but I've had traces of breast milk since before I was married & had kids. This is my first post-menopause mammogram, it could be something in the hormonal changes.</p><p></p><p>The hospital I have to go to would normally be a hassle to get there (parking is shocking there too) but tomorrow morning husband & I have to see our pain specialist, and his small private hospital (hospice) is just down the road. Then I drive husband to the railway station to catch the train to work. To do this I drive right past the big public teaching hospital where I have to go.</p><p></p><p>I've had a day today with a lot of driving and trying to get places in a hurry. I'm really tired but I have to go out tonight (choir practice). We have to head out again tomorrow morning early, hopefully the pain specialist won't be running late so I can go from one to the other without having to feel so rushed.</p><p></p><p>Wish me luck. The residual breast milk thing could get embarrassing, if they decide I'm an oddity. That's the problem with teaching hospitals - they have a lot of medical students who like to watch... and public patients tend to be fair game. I can refuse but feel like a louse if I do, because kids gotta learn somehow.</p><p></p><p>Here's hoping that is all it is. This time tomorrow, I should know. After all, I did have a job once that had me guddling around in a lot of carcinogenic chemicals, so I shouldn't get too complacent.</p><p></p><p>I'll fill you in when I get home tomorrow.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 340592, member: 1991"] I usually avoid mammograms. Here in Australia they are free every 2 years if you are over 50; also free if you are younger but at risk. I've been getting my free mammograms since I was 45 (I think they were free from 45 yo when I started) but after the first few I felt they weren't worth it. Part of my medical condition means my lymphatic tissue is almost permanently inflamed and I was finding that as those plates slid together, not only did I get the pinch effect and the Chinese burn on the skin (feeling like the skin was being ripped off my boobs) but the sharp corner of the plates was digging nastily into my sore armpits. Plus I had to stand at such an awkward angle, I would partly lose my balance which would mean I would literally be dangling by my sandwiched boob. But I kept getting my reminders, and I've decided, after a break of four years I think it was, to go back for another mammogram. I was making the usual jokes - "when the guy who invented this agrees to sandwich his gonads between two compressing plates, I'll be back. To watch." But imagine my surprise - far less painful! It was a breeze. of course it's a bit uncomfortable, but no Chinese burn, no digging into the armpit. There's no need for such firm compression any more. I sailed in and sailed out in a few minutes, confident and feeling community-minded and responsible. And virtuous. Insufferably smug. Then I got a letter - there were a few irregularities, they need to repeat the mammogram. probably nothing to worry about. I rang this morning to check how much wiggle room I have for the appointment time. This time I have to go to a major hospital to have it done; the usual Breastscreen clinics aren't where they send the 'repeat offenders". The woman I spoke to was reassuring - there might have been a fold of skin or something. The newer machines are very sensitive and can pick up artefacts. No biggie. But it MUST be done. My GP rang this afternoon. "Did you get your letter about the mammogram callback? Come and see us after the test." Crikey, I'm being nagged! I've told you lot about our health care system before; there is a lot of cross-communication, so I can barely sneeze without my GP knowing about it. OK, I signed the papers saying it was OK to feed info back to the GP (I'd have been mad not to) but it really brings home just how much everything we do is known. I'm not too worried. The only people in the family with breast cancer, are one niece (who got an aggressive cancer very young, I think there is cancer on her father's side and it is her mother who is my sister, I'm not related to her dad) and my great-aunt, who noticed a lump in her breast when she was 80 and chose to not tell the doctor. Finally the cancer perforated and she had to have her breast removed - at 99! It was the first time she had ever been in hospital overnight. Pioneer stock, well and truly. She was back home in three days, strolling in like she'd been on her usual afternoon walk. So I'm not too worried. it's possibly due to my residual lactation. Yes, I know I'm menopausal, but I've had traces of breast milk since before I was married & had kids. This is my first post-menopause mammogram, it could be something in the hormonal changes. The hospital I have to go to would normally be a hassle to get there (parking is shocking there too) but tomorrow morning husband & I have to see our pain specialist, and his small private hospital (hospice) is just down the road. Then I drive husband to the railway station to catch the train to work. To do this I drive right past the big public teaching hospital where I have to go. I've had a day today with a lot of driving and trying to get places in a hurry. I'm really tired but I have to go out tonight (choir practice). We have to head out again tomorrow morning early, hopefully the pain specialist won't be running late so I can go from one to the other without having to feel so rushed. Wish me luck. The residual breast milk thing could get embarrassing, if they decide I'm an oddity. That's the problem with teaching hospitals - they have a lot of medical students who like to watch... and public patients tend to be fair game. I can refuse but feel like a louse if I do, because kids gotta learn somehow. Here's hoping that is all it is. This time tomorrow, I should know. After all, I did have a job once that had me guddling around in a lot of carcinogenic chemicals, so I shouldn't get too complacent. I'll fill you in when I get home tomorrow. Marg [/QUOTE]
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