My First Mammogram

I turned 40 in last April and I was dreading it! Not because of the birthday number, but because, it meant that my yearly mammograms will be starting.  For most, getting mammogram starts a bit later, around 43, but since my mom had breast cancer, that meant I have a ‘family history’ and an early start with the mammograms.

January 22^nd.  That was my ‘M’ day.  I admit that I was super nervous & freaking out a little….well, freaking out a lot! I tend to get really nervous when I have to deal with doctors and hospitals.   All week, I had trouble concentrating at work.  To be honest, I was stressing myself out, over-thinking and remembering horror stories that some people told me.  The morning of January 22^nd, I decided to stay home to rest & relax and hopefully get rid of the stress headache that started during the night.  My appointment wasn’t until 3h10. 

How to get started

My doctor submitted the requisition to the Ottawa Hospital. I had requested to have my test done at the Civic Hospital, at their Women’s Health Clinic.  I had a friend who had gone recently and recommended it.  When reception called to book my appointment, they ask that you be there 10 to 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.  I gave myself plenty of time and arrived at the Civic at 2h25.  I figured I had plenty of time to find a parking.  Wrong, that wasn’t the case.  At the Civic, P4 is the closest to the Women’s Health Clinic but when I got there, the parking was full and there was a line up to get in.  I made my way to the next parking.  Again, that one was full.  I started panicking a little, since by then it’s 2h40.  Made my way to the parking garage, at least this one wasn’t full.  I slowly made my way in and the first and second floor there was no space, panic level rising a little.  Level 3, there’s a space, but oops, my van won’t fit in.  I finally found parking on the top level, but by then it’s a 2h50.  I make my way into the hospital and make my way to the information desk, I’m all confused about where I am and no longer sure how to get to the building I’m supposed to be in.  There’s a ‘Be back in 5 minutes’ sign – cue full panic mode! I took a deep breath, then another one.  I finally found someone to help me and arrived on time for my appointment.  My advice, either take public transportation or have someone drop you off and wait for you.  If your appointment is really early in the morning, parking shouldn’t be an issue.

What to expect

When you arrive at your appointment, the nurse will verify your information and give you a form to fill out.  Another nurse will come get you, brings you to a stall to change into a hospital gown.  Once you are in your fashionable gown, the nurse brings you to the mammogram room.  The nurse will explain what she’ll be doing, how the machine works etc.  If you have any questions, they will gladly answer them.  All of the nurses that I encountered were really nice and friendly.

THE mammogram

So I panicked and stressed about having a mammogram for nothing.  The test is actually ok.  Uncomfortable, yes.  Painful, no.  Be ready for being touched and personal space invasion.  The nurse will position your breast, flatten it etc.  They take four x-rays and for me, all was done within 10 minutes.  Each x-ray takes about 10 seconds each.

The results

I was told that I may be asked to come again and redo the mammogram and possibly and ultrasound.  This is fairly normal for first timers.  The reason is that since this was my first mammogram, they have no previous data to base the results on.  If I do get a call back, the nurse told to not panic ;)  The results will be sent to my doctor, so until then, there’s nothing I can do but wait.  I’m sure I’ll be a nervous wreck the day I meet with my doctor to get my results.

Christine

(Twitter - @marlchr)