Mammograms - The bittersweet...

I don’t hate mammograms.

Yes, afterward I need to reshape my breast; I might even need to use a bicycle pump to make it fluffier.

However, it’s worth every moment in the heated comfortable robe, the other ladies looking around nervously and knowing that it’s another year of peace of mind.

I’ve been quiet over the past week because I knew it was coming.

Last year was scary because they found a lump. I tried to be nonchalant about it; I am a strong woman, stronger than fear of the unknown… right?

“You have plan A and plan B. You can ignore it and just check it once a month to see if it gets bigger. Plan B: Get it biopsied” ~I was in shock and chose Plan A.

I didn’t tell my children, I cried on the phone with my mother and my best friends.

I waited a few months before I couldn’t take it anymore; I needed to get the biopsy done.

I went in finally, I needed to know. I was shaking, on the verge of tears the whole time. I won’t lie and say it was a fun procedure, however it was over. They checked it out right there. “It is benign.”

All my fears were subsided.

Tomorrow at 8:30am I have my second one. Hopefully I will have a year of nothing, a year of a “routine mammogram”, nothing to write home about, nothing to stress over… routine.

How about you? Have you gotten a mammogram lately? Have you given yourself a bit of peace?

Oh.. the Mammories!......

I did not care if I had to pay for it myself. I was getting a mammogram at 35.

I know very little about my family history. I know my maternal grandmother died from breast cancer at a young age. I wanted to make sure I didn’t leave behind my little ones.

So, Monday morning was my first mammogram of many.

Here are the key points:

*Why do they make the pieces see through? I don’t want to see my breast squished.

*Did they purposely try to pop the nipple off the breast?

*Does anyone else ever go home and have to “reshape” them?

*Anyone else want to take those robes home? FABULOUS!

*I made it a point to look at my mammogram. They are cool!

Here are some tips to make it easier:

*Relax- It’s not scary, just not nice.

*Do not wear any lotions, perfumes, etc.

*Most of the people in there are very old, it helps with the ego.

*It’s not worth it to NOT have one every year. What is it going to hurt?

*It took me 45 minutes from the time I got there, to the time I got back to work.

They are through and wonderful at this, I know which mammogram center I will go to next time.

So please, ladies, between 35-40, start up having mammograms, for no other reason than a peace of mind!