Wednesday, February 25, 2009

blahhh

( photography by Patricia J. Stark)

Well today i had to go for my annual mammogram. this is not my favorite day at all. i dread getting it done. i've stressed about these annual appointments every year since the doctor found a tumor in my right breast (benign). also, every mammogram i get is followed by an ultrasound, which is even worse in my opinion! you see i have a common condition known as FBD, fibrocystic breast disease. FBD is not really a disease it's just called that. it makes the breast quite dense, lumpy and painful. the denser your breast, the harder it is to read on a mammogram, thus the need for an ultrasound to follow. my appt. today was at 1:30 and i didn't leave there until 5:30! i was so cold, sitting there in my robe (it usually doesn't take that long, but the ultra sound machines were a little backed up today) and i was starving. i never realized how hard it is to sit still and lay with your arm raised back over your head. my lats and neck are really sore right now (i was in that position for 45 minutes on each side!). at one point, the technician was freaking me out because she kept getting out a little ruler and measuring me (i've never had that happen before). i finally asked her, "is every thing ok?" after that she was pretty good about telling me what she was doing. the reason i don't like going is because it is just so worrisome. i know so many friends who have or have had breast cancer. none of us are safe from it; so of course i worry - you know that, cold, dark fear of worry that can keep you up at night............ also, my left side has been bothering me for about a week and half, so i was afraid she would find something there. i've suspected the soreness on the left side might be muscular though as my neck, should, lats and left arm have all been sore. i have a huge knot in my neck and left shoulder and i know from being a massage therapist that if it doesn't get those knots worked out, it will make its way around! so i believe that is what is going on there. anyway, i'm rambling. i'm happy to report that i was given the all clear and don't need to go through that again for another year. and next year, i'm going to be prepared with a blanket and some snacks.

also, my husband was sweet enough to make an appointment for me to get a massage tomorrow. i can't wait, it's been FOREVER since i had a massage -and it is a hot stone massage at that!

15 comments:

  1. Since you have the diagnosis of FBD your insurance should cover digital mammography. It would save you from having to go through all of that hassle. Check with your insurance though to see if it is covered. It is worth a try.

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  2. Kecia, I stress just like you do about these yearly appointments. I just went for my mammogram last Wednesday. Thankfully I wasn't there nearly as long as you were but the technician sure did have a poker face..I couldn't tell one way or another whether things looked good or not. I'm sure you're glad it's over with and enjoy your massage tomorrow!

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  3. Last year I went through the second opinion and then the six month thing and then the six month thing again......After all is said and done that is 4 times in about a year.......enough....I am not going again for awhile. Bad attitude, but that was worrisome and I just don't want to worry like that. Plus, I don't tell anyone else while I am going through it--except my husband of course.

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  4. glad to hear that you got a good report and are done for another year. i have to make an appointment for my first mammogram soon.
    enjoy your massage. your hubby is so sweet!

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  5. yes, i know the feeling imagine how i feel with my girls...my tissue is dense also and i have a few lumps under my arm this year that have never been there...but i am positive they are nothing and i will get the all clear signs too...take care and enjoy your massage..very sweet of hubby...xo

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  6. I went for my first mammo earlier in the week -- or as I called it, the 'boob panini' without grill marks. It wasn't the nightmare I expected, but I got the call the following morning to come back in for more pics and a possible ultrasound. I'm trying to remain calm about it and go in next Tuesday AM for the follow up.

    Hope you get a clean bill of health again this year!

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  7. p.s. enjoy that massage. If you go some place nice and have a good therapist to recommend, let me know.

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  9. Ugh, is right. I have to tell you I go next week for my annual fun visit and a referral for my first mammogram. Im really nervous and have been worrying for a while about it. I guess the good thing is it is done for a year right?

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  10. Ugh, is right. I have to tell you I go next week for my annual fun visit and a referral for my first mammogram. Im really nervous and have been worrying for a while about it. I guess the good thing is it is done for a year right?

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  11. Thank God you are okay, Kecia. I appreciate you sharing. Days like that are so very stressful. I know you will feel better after your massage. enjoy!
    Diana

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  12. I'm glad to hear that everything was okay. I haven't had a mammogram yet, but I believe the time is getting near for me to start. I just remember all the pre-natal visits and the cold rooms, and waiting, waiting! I always took a book with me!

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  13. ♥~~HUGS~~♥

    I know exactly how you feel ! But that part is now done, a new day ahead and a wonderful hot massage, yum !

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  14. Hi Sweetie, as you know, I got breast cancer stage III a couple of years ago. I also had several benign tumors in the past. I also have FBD. Because of the denseness of my breasts, mammo's and ultra sounds did not pick up on my malignant tumors.

    I do not write this to scare you or anyone, but to inform. I now get digital mammography but there is also MRI's that can be done for those with FBD.

    One thing I like is now only having one breast, the Mammo's are half the torture...lol.

    Also, I believe this with all my heart, take Vitamin D3. Even my doctor said that is the only vitamin with scientific data. It really can help protect you against breast cancer and other cancers.

    xo joanna

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  15. It's amazing how my life follows yours..I was just told I need a Mam... my 1st.. and an ultrasound... my 1st for that area.....

    But it must be done! Thanks for the encouragement.. that despite how scary it may seem... it must be done.

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