Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[OS Butch]

Good morning. I just had the scare of my life and thought I would share it here. Sorry for the long ramble.


Since the age of 40, I have gone every year for a mammogram. It had become routine, something I just did.


10 years ago, my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did the chemo and mastectomy and is a 10 year survivor and going strong.


Last year my youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and is doing well.



Having done this 13 times and having some not so very sensitive technicians, last year I said to the tech “Good morning, are you having a good day?” She looked at me a bit puzzled and said yes. I said “Great, because the last thing I want is someone squishing my boob that is having a bad day!” She laughed and although uncomfortable, it went well.


Last week I went for my routine mammogram. I had the same conversion with the tech and again, it went well. My daughter had come by Monday to pick up her mail and it was a good day. Later that evening, I got a call from her telling me she got my letter from the radiologist. As she read it I stopped hearing a word she was saying after I heard “requiring more testing.” I cried myself to sleep that night.


Tuesday, yes, Valentine’s day, I called my doctor and instructed to call the radiologist for another appointment, I shouldn’t need another prescription. I called the center and was told the next date would be Feb 29…..That was 15 days away! I said to the lady, I have had 2 sisters with breast cancer and that seems too long can they call me if there is a cancellation and get in sooner? She said she is unable to do that, but she could transfer me to the local office and I could check with them.


She transferred me to the actual place I had my testing. I gave my name and other information. She said “Can you come in at 1pm today?” My heart just about stopped as I said yes. Even though I got an early time, the immediate response was of urgency it seemed and I was terrified.


I arrived early to the center, and waited to be called. I heard my name and through those doors I went. I had my little conversation with the tech and she laughed. She took 1 x-ray of my right breast and 3 of the left. She took me to a waiting room, still in the gown in case there needed to be more x-rays after the doctor read them. As I sat in the waiting room, there was a tv playing an infomercial on Tomosynthesis 3D imaging. After what seemed forever, the tech came and got me for another x-ray….omgoodness. I asked about the Tomo and she said that is what we are doing. She further explained that it is a new technology and insurance companies are not paying for it yet, but the Doctor here said to go ahead and do it.



Back to the room I went and waited. The tech finally came back and said I could get dressed and the doctor would be in to talk to me……..more waiting.


Finally he arrived and said that everything was fine and negative. Shadows of the 2d were not there on the 3d. A huge sigh of relief!


I suggest that if the new Tomosynthesis 3D imaging is available in your area, it is well worth the out of pocket expensive to alleviate false positive reading and going through what I experienced! Hopefully, the insurance companies will start covering this new machine…. it still squishes the boob, but it takes 52 shots in a pass so the doctor is able to see more!


OSB