The Scary Side of 40: Mammogram Time. Update!
You know that way over-played phrase “Shit just got real?” ? Yeah. That happened with a phone call today.
Ring ring…?
Ok, it was the iPhone. ?So… buzz…buzzzzzz….
This will be my first since, you know, I just turned 40. ?I mentioned it to my new doc last week all casually like a good little former American Cancer Society employee should. It’s time! I need to get checked! Early detection saves lives!
 |
| In my rear-view mirror |
I’m flashing back to the hundreds- no, thousands of times– I’ve said to callers on the phone in my former position, “It’s usually nothing! They often ask for a second mammogram just to make sure.” ?I tried to be calm and helpful to those callers.
I get it now. ?This shit is scary. ?Look at me- I’m already skipping over the first scan to the time the office calls to ask for a second one. ?Just to make sure. ?And I know better! I was a professional, dammit! But here I go jumping to C when I haven’t even made the appointment for A.
Lawdy, Shenanigans.? Get a hold of yourself
This is a case where knowing the stats is not a good thing. ?The odds aren’t always in our favor. ?One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. ?The odds are higher when a direct family member has been diagnosed. ?I’m not in that higher odds group, thank God. ?The closest I have is two aunts who were diagnosed, one related by blood & one by marriage.
But it’s enough to scare me. ?And sadden me. ?And make it all way too real.
Confession time. ? Friends, please don’t hate me. ?But as we get older I’ve been holding my breath so to speak. ?Waiting for one of you to announce your diagnosis.? Not hoping, mind you, but waiting to hear the news.? Yeah. ?Not cool, I know.
But the odds. ?The odds say…
Clearly there’s a Dark Side working here.? See, now you know the truth: Shenanigans isn’t always fun, games, & Disney.? She’s actually a glass half empty kind of person at times.? Even though I knew this day was coming and the phone call shouldn’t have caught me off guard, but, whoa, did it ever.
40.? Man, 40 is a big number.? I think I said that before, right? It’s now a shit just got REAL big number.
I’ll go in Friday. ?I’ll get squished. ?I’ll then wait for the all clear phone call that means I beat the odds.
This year.
Patty Holliday is the owner and creator of all things No-Guilt Universe. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.
Well, I’m going to be 48 this year, so I’ve been to the presser several times now, every year in July. Where I go it’s very quick. The techs are very personable and of course they’ve done it thousands of times, so it all seems very natural. I don’t really spend a lot of time worrying about getting a bad report. I don’t have any family members who have had breast cancer though, if I did I am sure I would feel differently. Hope your experience is a good one. 🙂
Thanks Jessica. I’m sure it will be fine- they usually are! It must be my background that’s got me all spun up over it though.
I am sending prayers that all goes well for you Patty!
Thank you Lauren. Much appreciated.
I’m only 39, but I had my first a year or two ago because I have a lot of it on my father’s side of the family. It wasn’t bad, just…surreal, that this complete stranger was so at ease handling my girls and manipulating them however she wanted to get the best picture.
Good luck!
Ack! Good point- I don’t have a lot of strangers feeling me up. Ha. Thanks for the well wishes.
Ugh yeah this is gonna happen to me soon. It seems like doctors have lots of ways and tests to make us feel uncomfortable.
It’s all good- I know it needs to be done. Just scary! Not the procedure itself as much as what they are looking for, you know?
I’m 60 and have had many mammograms. Patty, there is nothing to it. Actually, I think flat chested women have it the worst and I would always as for a female…..when they are pulling on you, I do not want it to be some random guy. Good luck and don’t worry. It is a very responsible thing to do. One of my closet friends was just diagnosed in December and the prognosis is not good.
Thank you for the reassurance! It’s more the idea behind getting one done freaking me out than actually doing it. Prayers for your friend; it’s a miserable evil disease, cancer. 🙁
Totes not looking forward to this; thankfully I’ve got time. Maybe between now and then they will make the process a little more, eh, enjoyable??
There’s always hope!
I had my first one a couple of months ago. It wasn’t fun, but it wasn’t too bad. I think the machines are much better than the ones our moms had to use (mine terrified me with boob squishing stories). The tech who “handled” mine (see what I did there, LOL) was really nice and made me feel as comfortable as possible, considering… The best part was that it was quick and the doctor reviewed the results while I was there and came in and told me everything looked fine. It was nice not having to wait! Good luck, pixie dust and positive thoughts!
Now that’s nice- that they reviewed right away for you. I have no idea how this works here. The waiting and phone call is what I don’t want to deal with- the squishing,well, I can deal with that part.
Though I’ve never had one, whenever I have an exam that gets very personal I just try to remember that the tech does this every day and sees tons of people. Keeping you in my thoughts!
Thanks Kim!
way ahead of you….had my first one about a year and a half ago at 36!! No history, my dr just stressed the need for a “baseline” to establish what is normal while they are still young enough to look normal. So I went in all good and happy and being super pro-active…..and got the dreaded call back!!! So now i have 2 sets of “normal” looks to my girls and hopefully am set for a few more years. Definately a wake up call.
Baselines used to be the norm, then docs and insurance changed to the hard and fast 40 rule. I was hoping for one early like you for peace of mind. Ah well- today will be a day to remember I’m sure! 😉
I am 52 but never had one done!. About time I did! All that squishing that I hear from my pallies who did theirs kinda scare me a little.
Sending you lots of positive thoughts!
Oh yes Veronica- don’t be scared, or, it’s ok if you are… but get it done anyway! It’s an important tool in managing your health for sure. Thanks for the Positive Thoughts!