PLEASE get your screening mammograms

[AlsgalRN]

I am 43 yo. In March, I had my annual screening mammogram. I felt no lumps and thought I was having no probems. Last year the results were normal. This year, I was sent back for a right diagnostic mammogram. The results of that mammo sent me to a wonderful surgeon. We did the biopsy in her office that morning. Well, I have invasive ductal carcinoma. I have seen a fabulous oncologist and am scheduled for a lumpectomy/ sentinal node biopsy/ possible axillary node resection on May 14. We are doing lots of other tests to determine the final plan re: mastectomies, ovarian removal, chemo, radiation. I am frightened but am determined to fight.

The surgeon and the oncologist said that I may have saved my own life by having that screening mammogram. Please, ladies, stay current on your mammos. And please encourage your moms, sisters, aunts, cousins and all of the other ladies in your life to do the same.

Hugs to all,

AlsGalRN

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

thank you for your post. my sister died of breast cancer and i am suppose to get a screening done 10 years prior to when she was diagnosed and that makes me getting one around 34-35. i hope all goes well for you . good luck to you in your recovery...

[kukukajoo, LPN]

Thank you for turning a negative into a positive and taking the opportunity to g teach us all.

I pray all goes smoothly and that the sentinel node comes back negative. Prayers to you!

[bigsyis]

Alsgal, I hope everything goes very well for you. I am sorry that you have to go through it, but it sounds as though you are going about it very thoroughly in order to get the best treatment, in the best way.

Yesterday my best friend at work had an appt. w/her surgeon, and had needle bx done ther after positive mammogram and ECho, and MRI. Her next appt is next Wednesday. At that time they will know what type of CA, and what the plan of attack will be. She found the lump during BSE-she has a hugely positive family hx. Unfortunately her PCP told her that se wouldn''t need a mammogram until she was 40. She turned 40 6 weeks ago!

Anyway, Alsgal, may God bless you, and I hope everything turns out better than you've hoped.

[jill48, ASN, RN]

Thank you so much. I'm only 33 years old and have not started having the yearly mammograms yet, but since I had a hysterectomy at 31 I'm thinking I should start earlier than what my doctor says. You just helped me make up my mind. OW...my poor boobies have no idea what they are in for.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

good luck alsgal and I am glad they found it quickly.

I am 38 and had my first us/mammo a couple months ago because I have a weird area in my breast. The mammo was good but the US showed two cysts that are fine and the area that feels weird got biopsied. It came back clean but the doc said its an 'area of thickening' and I have to go back in a few weeks for repeat testing. This stuff is scary but thankfully new technologies and knowledge help us find stuff early before its too bad.

Thank you for sharing your story and good luck.