APhoebe's Journal, 23 May 2024

lol! No idea! But I’m set to get my first this fall since I’m turning 40 this year. So great that you’re staying on top of your health!! 

I’m not sure either but have not had one yet. Good job making all those appointments for your health! 

Thanks guys! Lots of inspiration here! Oh I also got a prx for Chantrix. I gave up cigs a few years back but never kicked nicotine. I’m scared but determined. It’s time.. 

I hate to tell you, but they use the same machines no matter what size your chest is 😬 I suggest taking ibuprofen ahead of time. 

If you and/or the machine end up having a lot of difficulty, they radiologist will likely have you come back and redo and/or they will supplement with ultrasounds. Also, when you have your first mammo, expect to be diagnosed with cysts, which they will monitor for 2 years, and will require more frequent mammograms, like 3 the first year, and 2 the second year. Once the cysts are determined to be "unchanging", you'll go back to yearly mammos. My routine yearly also includes ultrasounds, because some of the cysts cannot be effectively monitored by mammogram alone. You will also receive a letter (new federal requirement) that describes your tissue as dense, partially dense, or not dense. If dense, it's likely they will recommend yearly MRI.  

Thank you both for that! My doc did warn me I may need a second one and to not freak out. I’m still waiting for the call back to schedule. I remember when I was younger hearing how painful they are and was hoping that had improved. I have an idea of what to expect now. And I’ll try not to freak out when I hear cysts..  

I am also small chested. The technician (always a woman) will manipulate your brest into the area to be squeezed. It's a slow squeeze and lasts about 10 seconds. You may have up to 3 on each breast. Try to schedule it a week after your cycle ends when you are not having pms or breast tenderness. It takes a few appts to get used to the sensation, but gets easier every time. It's great that you are moving forward with scheduling the appt. I was also really nervous my first time. I think I even cried :). But my experience is the technicians (always women) are so nice. If you need ultrasounds, a female technician does it, and if for some reason she can't find the area, the radiologist will step in and that person may be a man. But the female technician is always in the room. 

Good luck with the chantix too! I did that in 2011 and am so glad not to be a slave to it anymore. I did not do well on chantix but took it long enough to get past the quitting. They switched me to Wellbutrin and I only could handle that a couple weeks. To this day I remember how hard it was even with the meds to quit but glad I persevered. It helps me never want to go down that road again. You got this. 

I stated mammos in my 30s due to a serious problem which turned out perfectly fine but one of the scariest points of my life. Mammas aren’t that bad. I just turned 50 so I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had. To me it’s not the squeezing of the breast that’s bad but it’s the pulling of the chest skin. But it’s only seconds and we all survive. 😅👍🏻 Don’t sweat it girl. You will make it. Tell them it’s your first one and I’m sure they’ll be very careful and considerate. May every one of yours going forward be a perfect result. ❤️