September 24, 2022

My First Mammogram!

For some odd reason, ever since I was a teenager, I associated age 40 with having yearly mammograms. Maybe I heard my mom talk about it, or saw info about it on Oprah, or something like that--but it has stuck with me ever since. You turn 40 and you get a mammogram. 

Well, this was my year. I don't know why 40 is the magic number, but I knew on my birthday that sometime this year I'd have a mammogram. I wasn't worried about it or anxious about it or anything. It just feels like a rite of passage when you go over the hill. (I've always hated that expression, by the way--"over the hill"--yikes!)

I saw my gynecologist last week for an annual exam, and he said that it was time to schedule a mammogram. The hospital called and said they had an opening today at 2:00, and despite being a Saturday, I said sure.

I actually laughed about it with Jerry because I have very small boobs (yes, I should probably be mature and use the word "breasts", but I call them boobs). At this weight, I am an A cup! And that A cup is mostly loose skin from my weight loss, hahaha. So Jerry and I joked that the machine would just keep flattening my boobs until they were spread out paper thin--kind of like when you use a press to flatten pizza dough.

My appointment was at 2:00, but they said to get there 15 minutes early. I brought my Kindle with me to read while I waited, but I didn't even get to read a full page before I was called back. The woman who did the mammogram was super nice. She told me to undress from the waist up and she gave me a gown to wear.

It was such an odd feeling putting on the gown--I remember when I was 253 pounds, the hospital gowns wouldn't fit me. I had to wear two--one with the opening in the back and one with the opening in the front to avoid exposing myself. Today, I was swimming in the gown.


I always pictured a big, cold, white, sterile room with a huge machine. Instead, it was small and intimate and I felt totally comfortable. The only other person in the room was the woman who'd given me the gown. I told her I was a blogger and asked if she minded if I took a picture--it's always a little awkward asking people that! But I like to have pictures in case other people wonder what it's like as well.


We chatted while she "arranged" my right boob on the machine (which was actually very comfortable--for some reason, I pictured it to be extremely uncomfortable and cold). 

My gown was wider than the machine, hahaha

Then as it pressed down for the images, it just felt a little like a blood pressure cuff when it tightens around your arm, only it didn't feel *as* tight as the arm cuff. It wasn't bad at all! She had me turn to the side for another image, and then we repeated the process with my left boob.

And that was it! It was so fast. Faster than getting x-rays, even. I went back in the changing room and was surprised to see that my chest was red above where it was squished a little; it didn't hurt, though.


I got dressed, and was back in the lobby by 1:57--three minutes before my actual appointment time! I couldn't believe what a fast and easy appointment it was. I told Jerry I'd rather do that again than any other doctors' appointments (especially the dentist--I despise going to the dentist!).

I won't have the results for a couple days, but I'm not worried about it. What I *am* worried about? I also have to have a colonoscopy this year! Most people don't have to have them until they are 50 (some say 45), but after my mom had a colonoscopy, she was told that she had something going on (I think polyps?) and that her children should start having the procedure at age 40.

Everything about it is scary to me, but especially the prep. I've heard and read that it's awful and you have to start a few days before the actual procedure--eating a low fiber diet for a few days (I have no idea what I'll eat, because as a vegan, I eat a ton of fiber); then nothing but clear liquids for a day before. And the worst part--drinking some awful liquid that basically makes you poop your brains out until there is nothing left. After reading about the procedure, I feel like I'll probably need to set up camp in the bathroom.

I haven't scheduled that appointment yet, but I am seeing my primary care doctor soon for a wellness visit, so I'll likely schedule it then. I'm definitely not looking forward to it! If you're not too embarrassed, please feel free to share your experiences ;)

21 comments:

  1. I'm a DD, so that might make a difference, but I'm not a huge fan of the boob-squishing machine, LOL, though it wasn't as bad as I'd worked myself up for. I had a colonoscopy last year for the first time (my dad has tons of polyps), and the prep isn't SUPER fun... like, certainly don't make plans to be away from your home or have anyone visit for those 2 days, LOL. But the prep also wasn't as bad as I expected. The procedure itself was easy-peasy (asleep and no discomfort after) and normal results mean I can wait 7 years before the next one :) You will do great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do love that you don't have to get them every year--and I'm really hoping they aren't as bad as I'm imagining!

      Delete
  2. The stuff you drink to empty your bowls is called Go Litely. but I call it Go Heavily. Seems more fitting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for posting about these two very important tests that can catch issues very early. Great self-care. As for the colonoscopy, yes the prep is the worst part, but I'll just say it. Vaseline is your friend. Every time you poop, wipe yourself with Vaseline. It will make it so much easier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember that using Aquaphor (like Vaseline) after having my kids was super helpful, haha. Vaginal birth makes *everything* every tender down there for a while. Thanks for the tip!

      Delete
  4. I agree that the prep is the worst part, but it wasn't as bad (IMO) as it sounded! I was hungry and the stuff didn't taste great, but it was only a day or so. I think the prep technology has come a long way. My husband didn't even have to drink it! He just did over the counter meds and gatorade! I stuck around the house that day, but I never had any emergencies or accidents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing--I might just be playing up in my head to be so much worse than it actually is. I remember when my mom had to do the prep, she was totally miserable! But it was several years ago, so maybe it's gotten better. I'd never heard of the pills that several people have mentioned.

      Delete
  5. Hi Katie! Longtime follower, first time commenter. Would you believe I am having my first colonoscopy tomorrow and will be doing the prep today?!? My prep is different from what you have described...no special diet leading up to today except my doctor said no nuts/seeds for 7 days before the procedure. As for today, I can only have a liquid diet and nothing after midnight. For the actual prep, I have 24 pills to take, in two 12 count sessions, along with lots of water. I have to begin this portion of the prep at 4:00pm and the second one at 11:00pm. I'm sure that's when the 'fun' will begin. UGH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was my experience, too--do the pills rather than the liquid if you can! The hunger is real, but they should have your procedure as early in the day as possible to help with that. Then you'll take the best nap of your life (and have no idea what they're doing)! About 15 minutes after mine, I was sitting down to a lovely hamburger and not worrying about having another one for 10 years. Best of luck!

      Delete
    2. Julie, I'm very curious as to how it went for you! I eat a lot of nuts and seeds, so that will be hard for me, but definitely manageable. It's all of the pooping that scares me! Hahaha.

      Delete
    3. Well, I survived...LOL! The whole experience was not bad at all. I follow a low-carb diet and really do not eat a lot of processed foods. With that being said, the 'clean out' wasn't bad at all. Sure I had to go, but it wasn't like I camped out in the bathroom or was in there constantly. As for the procedure itself, piece of cake! The worst part was the IV...my veins don't like to be messed with. Afterwards, I had Chic-fil-a for bfast (tossed the English muffin and just had the sausage, egg, & cheese) and then home for a nap. I woke up feeling just fine! I will say I am probably the only person that can do a colonoscopy prep and gain weight! I was up 1.3lbs from the salt (chicken/beef broth) and water from the day before. Don't be afraid to do this test as it can literally save your life! I've had a lifelong friend pass from colon cancer. He never had any symptoms, diagnosed at 48, and passed away 2 years later. He was at stage 4 when diagnosed.

      Delete
  6. I had my first mammogram last year and I was so happy they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I did get a call back, which I was told was super common for first time mammograms. They have nothing to compare your first mammogram with. I had a cyst on the side of my breast, but it wasn't anything to worry about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I was very reassured that it's not at all uncommon to get called back after the first one. I got my results yesterday, and everything was totally normal--so my next one won't be until next year! But I'm not at all dreading it, because it was no big deal at all (for me; I know everybody has different experiences).

      Delete
  7. The worst thing about the colonoscopy prep for me was that neither my doctor nor my pharmacist warned me about it. The actual procedure wasn't bad- I requested not being sedated for it (I hate sedation, I don't react well to it mentally). I was completely awake and not sedated at all, and while it wasn't exactly a pleasant experience, I can say with certainty that I would absolutely elect to do it with no sedation if I need another in the future. I was able to drive myself to the appointment and drive myself home, and it took about half the time as a sedated colonoscopy would have, from arrival to departure, since I wasn't dealing with sedation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that you mentioned that you weren't sedated for it! I don't like sedation and I will ask if that's an option for me. I don't even like being numbed at the dentist and I've gotten cavities filled without being numbed. (My root canal was a different story, haha). Was it painful, or just uncomfortable, or awkward? How long did it take? Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  8. DO NOT stress about the colonoscopy. The prep is different for every doctor but typically starts mid day the day before. It's not awful. Yes you go to the bathroom a lot because that's the point, to clean your system out, but there's no cramping or stomach aches like when you're ill. I didn't feel like I was starving, but I also use to intermittent fast and that never bothered me either.
    I had to avoid nuts and seeds the week prior, that was it. You won't notice a thing as far as the procedure goes. You will likely nap afterward when you get home and then be ready for some good food but overall feel great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the input! It's the cramping and stomach aches that I was/am dreading. I don't mind the fasting part (like you, I've done intermittent fasting in the past). It's going to be hard to avoid nuts and seeds, because they are a large part of my diet, but I'm relieved that you said you didn't get cramping!

      Delete
  9. I had to start getting mammograms when I was 38 due to really bad family history. I got one a month or so ago (I'm 56 now) and they saw calcification, so I had to go have the right side redone so the radiologist could look at it better. I'm fine, but have to go back in 6 mos so they can check that side again. I started colonoscopies at 40 due to really bad family history, so I've had 4 of them. Pro tip, try to get yours scheduled for about 10 - 11AM, otherwise you have to wake up at 3 or 4 am to take your last dose of prep. If your insurance will pay for it, get the pills. It's a shit ton of pills to swallow, but so much better then GoLitely. Some doctors won't prescribe them because they can damage your liver if you don't drink enough water. My insurance use to cover them, but now wants $200+ for them. You don't start prep until 6PM the day before your procedure. Besides being starving that day as you can't eat, it's not a big deal. They used to knock you out with Versed and other drugs and you'd be groggy the whole day. Now they use Propofol and you wake up and can function the rest of the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the tip about the timing--that was something I hadn't even thought of! I'll have to check with my insurance about the pills--I'd much rather do that than drink the GoLitely stuff. I'm grateful for the comment--it sounds like you've been pretty experienced with them and make the prep not sound so bad!

      Delete
  10. I've never done the pills but I've done the GoLitely and the Miralax with Gatorade. I would totally ask for the Gatorade again if these are the only two choices you have. I'm not a huge fan of Gatorade but it's way easier than the other. If you do have to do the GoLitely do not mix the flavor packets into the entire thing. You can use other flavorings (Crystal Light, Tang, etc.) and I think it tastes way better. Not great but better. You could even change flavors during the long drinking process which helps. The actual procedure is easy peasy and you'll wake up and just rest for the rest of the day. Don't worry however if you aren't totally out for the procedure. The meds will make you not really care. I was drifty for one of mine (just didn't fall deeply asleep) and it was pretty interesting I thought. Whatever you do, don't skip getting the test done. It could save a lot of pain and heartache later!

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

Featured Posts

Blog Archive