by Jessica S.
Member since:
July 15, 2008

88 Days and My Breasteses

April 21, 2009 03:58 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 19

88 days til my love comes home!  Woot woot!  The time just keeps on tickin' by!

I finally got my appointment to get my breasteses looked at.  I have an ultrasound and mammogram scheduled for May 1.  Hopefully they will find nothing wrong and send me on my way.  All I have to say is thank GOD for the women's health sector of the health department.  I've been without health insurance for the last year while I'm waiting for a full-time with benefits slot to open at my company.  It's coming up in July, but until then, I've had to just cross my fingers that I stay healthy.  They gave me vouchers for a free ultrasound and a free mammogram.  I had to pay for the lab work myself, but that is so much better than what I would have had to pay for everything put together!

Could any of my girlfriends here on Gather tell me what it's like to get a mammogram?  I've never had one before, as I'm 28 years old and have never had the need for regular screening yet.  Does it hurt terribly bad?  How long does it take?  Any advice or discussion about breast health is welcome here!

Comments: 19

Dave L. Apr 21, 2009, 4:01pm UTC
good about your love coming home

good luck with the mammogram
DiAnA D. Apr 21, 2009, 4:03pm UTC
the mamo is a tad bit uncomfortable but you'll be fine.. take some advil before hand! best of luck!
Rae M. Apr 21, 2009, 4:12pm UTC
It is thankfully a quick process. They basically put your boob on a metal plate, and then push it down with another one. It is not pleasant but it is not too terrible either.
Ginny W. Apr 21, 2009, 4:13pm UTC
Were you told you needed a mam.? Do you have a history of cancer in your fam.? You're younger than the recommended ages. I am 38 and have never had one.

Good luck either way. :-)

Gave you a 10.
Janie E. Apr 21, 2009, 4:15pm UTC
It doesn't hurt, per se, it's just very uncomfortable. It feels like your girls are in a vice!!! LOL It doesn't take that long, either. Good luck on the mammogram!!
Be glad (I'm sure you are) that you found a way to get this done. SO MANY people, men and women, have NO access to health care. PLEASE, go to WWW.SICKOCURE.ORG to get information about a single payer health system. If you like, you can sign a pettition and contact your congress people through the same site.
Good luck, hope everything comes out right.
Marianne R. Apr 21, 2009, 4:20pm UTC
Other than the machinery being cold, the mammogram didn't bother me at all. There wasn't even that much pressure. But some women have very sensitive boobs and say that mammograms hurt. All I can tell you is it didn't hurt at all nor was it really uncomfortable.
Jeanette Cheezum Apr 21, 2009, 4:22pm UTC
First I'd like to say GOOD LUCK. I'm not sure why you are having this so young--is there breast cancer in your family? I had very large and very tender breast befroe I got my reduction. I never had any caffeine three days prior and that seemed to help some. It will be uncomfortable for a short period of time. And you shouldn't hurt afterwards.

10 4 u
Marianne R. Apr 21, 2009, 4:22pm UTC
I agree with others, unless you were told to get one by your GYN, 28 is too young. I had mine at 35, but that was only as a baseline because I'm adopted and as such, I have no genetic medial history. I think I am due for another one now tho.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Apr 21, 2009, 4:29pm UTC
Good luck with the mammogram. I have never had one, so I don't have any advice to offer.
Lesli B. Apr 21, 2009, 4:34pm UTC
I agree, 28 is a bit young, if you aren't having a problem. I have had a bi-yearly exam for the last 4 years as I had some issues. Mine is coming up at the end of the month. I have very little discomfort during the procedure. I would say it was uncomfortable, not painful. I do know people though that have likened it to child birth. We each experience pain in our own way. The breast exam takes about 5 minutes, the mammogram about 10. Good luck!!!!
Chlo B. Apr 21, 2009, 4:36pm UTC
Good luck to you!
Trish A. Apr 21, 2009, 4:41pm UTC
It's a tad bit uncomfortable but I've found that most of the people doing the actual mammogram are usually quite nice.
Leo Lemmer Apr 21, 2009, 5:52pm UTC
Count yourself lucky that you do not have to have a prostate exam as we men do.

I learned something. I did not know that a mam is uncomfortable.
Renee S. Apr 21, 2009, 6:11pm UTC
I find it painful, but I have cysts in mine.
Stacey Mamasaid Apr 21, 2009, 6:17pm UTC
You get undressed from the waist up, lift one arm and each breast is squeezed momentarily between two rather chilly metal plates. It only takes a few seconds. I had my first in my late twenties, too. It's just a bit uncomfortable, no pain. The techs are very pleasant so there's no embarrassment either.
Nichole W. Apr 21, 2009, 6:22pm UTC
I just had my first done about a month ago,(at 27, I found a lump) for me it was very painufl but I was very tender before the exam and they found out that I had a cyst, so I think that's where the pain came from. the tech that did it was very nice and gental(as gental as she could be) good luck, I hope all goes well.
Janell R. Apr 22, 2009, 12:46am UTC
Mammo was a piece of cake for me (much rather do that than a pap). I've had two (am 40 years old).
Beth J. Aug 26, 2009, 1:41pm UTC
I haven't had one done in a few years.

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