Mammogram recall

ellay864

I consider myself generally pretty well balanced about things medical...I work in the pharmaceutical industry, in the area of oncology. I know that many forums (not this one of course ) seem to focus on the complaining horror stories with nothing to balance it out. I know that things aren't really as bad as some people would let you think.
10 days ago I had a health assessment with a mammogram. At the age of 45 this is my 3rd, I had them at 41 and 43 simply because our company provides for it. Today I got a call saying I have to go to the breast clinic for ultrasound, am going on Weds evening this week.
Now I KNOW that there is always a chance of recall, they told me that as I went in...I KNOW that usually it's nothing to worry about and just down to problems with what they read...i KNOW that the fact 'something seemed a bit dense' may have been down to the positioning etc at the time they took it. I know all this so why am I getting butterflies thinking about it. I have 2 friend recently gone through treatment for breast cancer - I know that at the moment there's nothing to suggest I'll be in the same position but why can't I get the rest of me to listen to what the sensible bit of me is trying to say!!
Sorry for rambling - this just came so out the blue and good old rationale me has been knocked slightly sideways Just needed to get it off my chest really and I know you're a nice bunch on here

trudij

Have a huge hug from me - I cant really offer you much practical help that you havent aready come up with in your post !!

fingers crossed everything is fine, and it was just a mis-viewing on the mammogram.

xx

busiscoming2

It is always easy to be well balanced when things are going ok, I should think it has put you off balance because you are thinking about your friend. I had a mammogram for a suspect lump about 6 months ago, they told me the lump I felt was nothing to worry about but that I had to have an ultrasound on the other breast because they thought there may be something. So panic overdrive! but it turned out to be ok, so the mammograms can show things that really arent there, and if it is something you are nearer to getting it sorted.

Sending you ((((big hugs)))) and try not to worry.

Highland_Lass_2

I had my first mammogram 2 weeks ago and had a recall letter yesterday. I know exactly how you're feeling and my mind is in over-drive. I've to go on Monday morning.

ellay864

Well I've just got home from having my recall appointment this evening...I had a second mammogram (cone compression) and ultrasound and got the all clear:j
But since I got the phone call Monday morning I reckon this has been the longest 2 days ever and I know what you mean about mind going into overdrive. I hardly slept Monday night, went to work Tuesday but couldn't think straight so came home in the afternoon, today I was really busy which kept my mind off things but an hour before I had to leave tonight I was visiting the bathroom lots :eek:
It really was very nervy but the nurses and doctors were really nice....and I've never been so relieved.
Big hugs to you and hope you get the same good news that I did...let us know how you get on xx

violetta

Thank you for letting us know - I am so glad you are OK.

I had a mammogram a few weeks ago, and I know I would have been absolutely terrified if they had recalled me.

I hope your recall outcome is OK too on Monday Highland_Lass. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

kazd

I am revitilising this thread as I went for a random mammogram as the program is being extended to younger women from the age of 47 ( I am 48 in June).

Almost cancelled the mammogram because was petrified of actually having it ie boobs being squashed. However, it was all fine no problem and not painful at all.

Yesterday in the middle of cooking up a storm for friends coming round I received my mail (great Friday 13th) and have been asked to go back for further tests which could include further mammograms and ultrasound.

I am absolutely rigid with fear, all my friends knew something was wrong with me last night (weren't used to seeing me not eating - felt like I wanted to throw up). My husband is working abroad and just went back on Wednesday and is not due home for another 6 weeks. I want to sit down and cry my heart out but can't as eldest starts his GCSE's on Monday and don't want the kids to know unless there is really something to worry about.

But as I said I am literally sick with fear, a friend of mine is going with me who had breast cancer at the age of 45. She found a lump and it was graded as one of the worst cancers and she had a lumpectomy and then she had chemo and radiotherapy and she is now all clear - am focusing on this.

I physically cannot feel anything and have no changes in the breast area, I always have discomfort with left breast - they are fairly large and always find that the bones dig in particularly in left breast.

I am trying to be positive but it is very hard, I keep telling myself that if they have found something the chances are that is very early and treatable.

just wanted to sound off

ellay864

Aww big hugs to you...it's such a horrible feeling. I know it's hard to be rationale but the chances are it isn't anything to worry about. I take it they wrote to you rather than rung you? I'd take that in itself as a good thing. When do you have to go back? Let us know how you get on x

Bronnie

I had a recall last year.......I have been really lucky with my health and it was a huge and unexpected shock to have a recall giving me an appointment within the week. Of course I read all the reassuring blurb accompanying the letter, but that doesn't stop your mind working overtime and imagining all kinds of scenarios.

My best advice would be to do your utmost to firmly block these thoughts every time they try to come into your mind. Keep yourself insanely busy and try not to let your mind wander, put on some music, the radio whatever to fill any silent moments. Easier said than done I know. I think I must've cleaned out every cupboard in the house that week in an effort to distract myself.

My recall was fine, all clear. This is a pretty common outcome, so try to focus on that. Didn't stop me shedding a tear of relief when I found out though.

Good luck and get going on those kitchen cupboards!

bacardi66

I know its hard but PLEASE don't work yourself into a state thinking the worst. I have had annual mammograms since I was 40 (because of family history I am considered to have a higher risk than other people) this is my sixth year of having a mammogram and I have been recalled after 3 of them.

At the hospital they told me that when you are younger (under 50) and pre menopausal the breast tissue is much denser and it is harder to see exactly what is going on, so you are more likely to be recalled.

The first time I got recalled I was thinking the worst and in a terrible state in the whole lead up to the appointment, when I went back they did an ultrasound and gave me the all clear whilst I was there. I had been so convinced that there was something wrong with me I was in a state of shock all the way home!

Since then when Ive been recalled I have realised there is no point worrying as its more than likely there is nothing to worry about. On the recall appointments they have either done a further mammogram or an ultrasound.

Fingers crossed that yours will go as well as mine did - my annual mammogram is looming - now Im always more surprised if I don't get a recall letter than when I do!

Please try and keep busy and focused on other things and let us know how you get on, big hugs and lots of luck xxx

Penny_Watcher

kazd wrote: »

Yesterday in the middle of cooking up a storm for friends coming round I received my mail (great Friday 13th) and have been asked to go back for further tests which could include further mammograms and ultrasound.

I am absolutely rigid with fear, all my friends knew something was wrong with me last night (weren't used to seeing me not eating - felt like I wanted to throw up). My husband is working abroad and just went back on Wednesday and is not due home for another 6 weeks. I want to sit down and cry my heart out but can't as eldest starts his GCSE's on Monday and don't want the kids to know unless there is really something to worry about.

**********

I physically cannot feel anything and have no changes in the breast area, I always have discomfort with left breast - they are fairly large and always find that the bones dig in particularly in left breast.

I am trying to be positive but it is very hard, I keep telling myself that if they have found something the chances are that is very early and treatable.

I could have written all of that, apart from my OH was working away for less time, but when he came home I told him nothing because his Mum had passed away from breast cancer and I didn't want to worry him until there was something to worry about.

I'd gone to the GP about intermittent breast pain (which I now realise was caused by a faulty underwire :o:o:o:o) but because of my family history of breast cancer (Aunt and Grandma) she referred my for my first mammogram which came back as needing further investigation on the other breast.

The letter came back telling me that I had two lumps in my right breast. I was going out for dinner that night with my girlfriends and I couldn't tell them before I said anything to my husband. I had to keep everything 'normal', for my kids especially.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had an ultrasound within about a week. The consultant told me there and then that the lumps were nothing to worry about, but he'd write a letter to that effect later. He asked if I'd ever had mastitis whilst I was breast feeding my children, because he said the lumps looked like scar tissue. And yes, I had had mastitis, about 16 years ago.

Thank flip for that! Mr W only found out because he was there when the letter arrived giving me the all clear.

I won't tell you not to worry, because you will anyway That is perfectly normal. But try not to over worry. Concentrate on making everything as normal as possible for your GCSE student (mine starts his on Monday morning too - [STRIKE] fast asleep in bed [/STRIKE] revising with his eyes shut as we speak ). Mammograms recalls happen for all sorts of reasons. Worrying won't change anything. Can you share this with your Mum? Problem shared is a problem halved and all that.

Good Luck (but I know you're not going to need it) :kisses3: