Mammogram

[louise222]

Hi All, I am really scared anxious nervous about my next mammogram after ALND and lumpectomy left breast, I've heard it hurts after surgery, really don't know what to expect, I am 6 months out from surgery, and 3 months put from radiotherapy, so scared.......thanks x

[Jennymary]

I had my op in October, radiotherapy in January, mammogram September, didn't really hurt, just perhaps a but uncomfortable, but tell the medical team his you feel and I'm sure they will do their best to make it as painless as possible, good luck xxxx

[Lainey66]

Hi Louise222, It can be a duanting thought, however I would explaing to the radiographer that you are not long out of surgery, in some discomfort and you would appreciate it if they can be as gentle as possible. It is easy for me to say as I had a double mastectomy so there is nothing left to put into a mammogram, but this is what I said after they did a biopsy of my tumours and the insertion of small magnetic clips into my three tumours. They then sent me for a mammogram and the radiographer really did do her best to make it as comfortable as humanly possible. In the meantime try to relax, distract yourself with things you like to do and try to keep relaxed when you go for your mammogram. Believe it or not, the more relaxed you are the less painful it is. When your are all tense it does become more uncomfortable. I wish you all the best. Lainey 66.

[louise222 in reply to Lainey66]

Thanks for your replies. I think my anxiety springs from being taken to hospital via ambulance with a twisted torsion which they said was a pelvic mass - I underwent tests and eventually they did a total hysterectomy - not cancerous. But whilst having MRI found 2.5 cm breast cancer and in lymph nodes - underwent surgery (got pneumonia) then was put on Letrozole for 9 months - had mammogram - ultra sound and needle aspiration - then 4 breast biopsies - grade 1 - had total ALND and lumpectomy - so now anxious about hospitals - after my op end of January and radiotherapy in March was se nt for CT scan and radioactive scan - both clear - my survival al oncologist said. There is now no cause fort concern - but my anxiety is taking over! I know people who have been through so much more and are less anxious, or seem to be. but that's how I am at the moment. Thank you for your replies - and warm regards to you x

[Lainey66 in reply to louise222]

Have you tried mindfullness relaxation techniques? They do help.

[louise222]

*surgical oncologist!

[louise222 in reply to louise222]

Hi, my daughter said to try acupuncture - I will give anything a go! I have got an appointment for a 30 min session for complimentary therapy as well, thanks for your replies, hope you are doing well......xxx

[vwel in reply to louise222]

Hi Louise222, if you're near Fulham, Leeds, Hereford or Wessex you can receive complementary therapies at Breast Cancer Haven centres....you receive some sessions free of charge, so worth having a look.xxx

[louise222]

Hi thanks for the information, I live in Oldham Lancashire, so not near any Haven centres Thanks.

[Nicholjac]

I had lumpectomy and I will be on my third mammogram next week hooray hopefully three years on

They didn't hurt a bit incoming just like before surgery but I don't find they hurt you will find its nothing after what you have been through . Being anxious will get less but it won't go away it's always there thinking about things and worrying you will find u think about it less

I used to treat myself with a friend or family to a spa day n treatment someone said the complimentary therapies do help

Hope it goes ok and healthcare workers do care they should look after you

[louise222]

Hi Nicoljac, thank you for your reply, I think it's just my frame of mind at the moment, I remember when I went to see my surgical oncologist after my surgery (2weeks after) and she pulled my arm straight up in the air, it really hurt, she's lovely, but reminds me of a no nonsense headmistress! She said, oh my goodness, you are anxious (no it really hurt) so sometimes when I go to the department, I feel really anxious now - just wondering who I will get! The wait last time was over 2hours which doesn't help! I know they are really busy......so glad you are 3 years out, that's fantastic, now just have to learn to relax more, but I am finding it really difficult, keep telling my family I am going to live in Marakesh, they think I am nutty! I just sometimes wish I was someone else....but thanks for your replies, everyone, really really helps me......xxx

[louise007]

I had my mammogram a few weeks ago 18 Months after radiotherapy and surgery and this time I did feel different maybe because I am still in discomfort after surgery and radiotherapy which the breast care nurses say can happen. It was more uncomfortable than painful but only for 30 seconds or so .perhaps because of the internal scar tissue I have .when it was done the lady said she needed to get them as flat as possible this time to give a really good clear picture so perhaps a little pain due to them being squashed 😊.but it's soon forgotten with a clear result.Take care and stay well

[louise222]

Thanks Louise007 - I think I build things up due to my anxiety, I know it's only a few seconds, but at the moment my breast is really sensitive, I have spoken to my bcn, and she said if it's still the same when I go for my appointment, she will speak to the mammographer on my behalf, I don't know why this is bothering me so much, but there you go, thanks for your reply and take care of yourself......xx

[Olive43]

I also had a lumpectomy on my left breast and radiation after surgery. I have had two mammograms and have not found them to be any more painful then usual. More uncomfortable then anything. In my case, I have to go every year and it is a good feeling when the results are good. The best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

[louise222]

Hi Olive 43, thanks for your reply. I think my diagnosis and treatment have made me ultra anxious, like you said, I have had a mammogram before, it was over before I knew it. I think because my breast is sensitive after radiation I am just more nervous, I finished my radiation in April, so 3 months ago, the nurse said its normal for some people to experience shooting pains and sensitivity. Thanks for taking the time to reply, I'm sure I will be ok........yikes..... xxx

[louise222]

Hi everyone, hope your doing well. Just wanted to ask if anyone had found anything to 'soften' the surgical scar? I have my scar from my nipple in a straight line to underneath my left boob, I continued to put E45 cream on after radiation in the hope it would moisturise it, I have also tried Bio-oil but to no avail. I just thought someone may have found something to soften my scar? I have looked online but there are quite a few online and it's confusing, some quite inexpensive, some not. Thankyou all for continuing your input, I'm afraid my family don't want me to talk about it - and my best friend now texts me to say how busy she is at work, overtime etc.....feel quite lost sometimes, but I know I can count on you lot, your great.....xx

[Annie69 in reply to louise222]

Hello Louise. I am so sorry you don't have anyone close to spill it all out to. I expect the idea of bc scares them and they would rather stick their fingers in their ears and go 'La la la la la.' I'm sure they don't mean to be hurtful.

Your scar: I'm waiting for surgery so can't speak from experience yet, but I have always used vitamin E oil or cream for scars of any kind. I used to get it in the Body Shop but I don't know if they still do it. I have had other surgery in the past and it was very good. I am planning to use it on my scars.

Keep your spirits up - don't tell anyone, because it is naughty, but chocolate helps - I don't mean on the scar!

Annie. xxx

[louise222]

Hi Annie69, thanks for your reply, I will look into the Vitamin E cream, thanks. I think you are right about my family, they just want me to forget about it all now, treatment finished, just check ups now.....but it's not that simple. I feel like they are all carrying on with there lives and I'm not. I think it's great to come on this forum, because we all understand each other. Thanks for the tip about the chocolate, at the moment I'm into werthers originals. Strange? Hope you are okay and taking good care.......xxx