When’s Your Next Mammogram? 📅

[Lola 💋]

There’s a tiny clip in my left or right boob. I know which one. The rest of you can live with the suspense.

It’s from a biopsy I had a couple of years ago after a routine mammogram picked up something that needed a closer look. The short version is that I ended up facedown with my boob hanging through a hole in a table, waiting for somebody to stick a very large needle in it. I can see the comedy in that now. At the time, I was scared shitless.

We talk about breasts so freely here. I wish we talked about taking care of them with half that ease. I’d love for a woman to be able to pop in and say, “They want me to come back for more pictures and I’m scared,” and hear from somebody who remembers exactly what that phone call felt like.

So, when is your next mammogram? If you couldn’t tell me off the top of your head, take a minute to find out. If you’re due, book it. If you’re unsure when to start or how often to go, ask what makes sense for you and mention any family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Your dad’s side counts, too.

And get to know what’s usual for your breasts. You can pay attention to how they look and feel in the course of getting dressed or taking a shower. If you notice a new lump, a dimple in the skin, or a change in a nipple, call and tell them what you noticed, even if your last mammogram was clear. “I don’t know what this is, but it’s new” is enough to start the conversation.

What do you wish another woman had told you before your first mammogram, your first callback, or your turn on that ridiculous table? And if you’ve got a question you’ve felt weird asking, go ahead. You can ask it without telling us the whole story.

Getting to know your breasts — Johns Hopkins Medicine

What happens after a mammogram callback — American Cancer Society

[Fetvoy12]

Check your breasts, get your examinations, be diligent….I’m a supporter of the “Save the Tatas” movement!!!

Lola, thank you for your story and I wish you the very best!!!

[Rumina]

I hate mammograms. Extremely painful because my boobs dont fit in the machine and the nurses ever believe it and keep adding pressure. And then always the stupid same comments. I know i am blessed ladies, Thank you. And I warned you you need to take two differe t pics from different angles because it cant be done in one. Its not my first time in, remember? Listen to your patient!

Well @lolamayi12345 it wasnt a phonecall in my case. The doctor turned up at my house, unexpectedly. I opened the door, happy to see an attentive doctor. My husband had been released from hospital 3 days before, after very invasive surgery to remove his tumor.
I thought he came to check in on him and was touched by the attention. So I opened the door, he came in and said: I am here for the both of you.
So yes, I know how that moment feels and I also remember the fear.
Ironically we had talked about it. Because the other patient in the room on intensive care with my husband almost never had a visitor. When his wife finally came in we realised why: she was bald and wore a hat: obviously a cancerpatient herself. We said we were lucky I was in good health.
So when the doctor came in it was like Karma played a rotten trick on us.

[Rumina]

What do I wish?
To be taken seriously. I know my boobs. And I wish other women to be confidebt and not let those momenrs pass because you feel shocked, flabberfasted or maybe even ashamed.
Do have the courage to stand up for yourself. You are not alone, its not you. Its their ignorance.

[Lola 💋]

@dairydaisy 🩷

Oh, Rumina. I know how much you miss him. Reading about you opening that door, thinking the doctor had come to check on him, and hearing “I’m here for the both of you” just broke my heart. Thank you for telling us about that day. ❤️

And the mammogram part makes me mad for you. You knew from experience what they needed to do differently, and you told them. They should’ve listened the first time. I’m glad you said what you did about how hard it can be to speak up in the moment. It’s hard enough to say “that hurts” once. Having to convince somebody you mean it is exhausting.🫶🏻

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