Mammogram Time - A Day Out With the Girls
So by 'Girls' I don't actually mean 'girlfriends', but those Girls that have been hanging around with us since the day we were born.
You know the ones that we hope are hanging closer to armpit level than the level of our belly buttons.
Whether triple D or barely there; whether objectified, enhanced, or simply perfect; whether a source of discontent or a source of nourishment for our babies - we need to hang out with our breasts once in a while.
So today, my Girls and I hung out at the lab for a mammogram.
While the idea of having one's breasts perfectly positioned for maximum squeezing doesn't top most women's 'How to Spend a Tuesday Afternoon List' - we need to take care of the Girls.
The first time I experienced a mammogram was at the age of 35.
Not very breast aware at that age, it was actually my aesthetician that discovered a (thankfully harmless) lump in my left breast while waxing my underarms.
After making an appointment with my doctor, I decided that there was no point in worrying unless I was told I truly had something to worry about.
Of course as much as I tried to stay true to this way of thinking, I couldn't help reflect on 'what if?' My initial reaction focussed on what life without one or both of my Girls would be like.
Then I took a really big step back and realized that a diagnosis of breast cancer could take away a whole lot more than my breasts.
When I stepped forward again suddenly my day to day worries and complaints were, for the most part, laughable.
So armed with this perspective, the few seconds of breast discomfort I felt two years ago and again today hardly seemed unreasonable.
Besides which the pain of a mammogram really isn't as bad as it sounds...
really! Perhaps I have a high threshold for pain or maybe I just lucked out with a warm machine and a great technician that really knew how to give a good mammogram, but any discomfort I felt literally lasted for only seconds and then I was comfortable again (well as comfortable as one can be when standing naked from the waste up with a stranger getting ready to manhandle your breast into position again).
Now two mammograms hardly makes me an expert, but here are a few suggestions I'd like to pass on to any mammogram newbies: 1.
Just breathe.
My discomfort came mostly from the feeling of having my breath taken away, so I made sure to take a slow, deep inhalation as the plates moved together during each of the 4 x-rays.
This helped reduce the feeling of breathlessness and of course all that oxygen helped keep me relaxed which in turn further reduced any pain.
2.
Distract yourself.
Knowing that the compression will only last for a few seconds goes a long way.
Pass the time by counting, imagining yourself lying on a sandy beach, or thinking about what you and the girls will do after the mammogram is over.
3.
Minimize breast tenderness.
Do not make the mistake I did for my first mammogram and book your appointment when your breasts are already tender from your menstrual cycle.
Most labs recommend booking about 10-14 days after your last period started to avoid additional breast tenderness.
Reducing your caffeine intake in the week previous to your mammogram should also help reduce the pain.
4.
Speak up! Ask questions.
Let the technician know if you're experiencing a lot of anxiety or pain.
Giving your concerns a voice may alleviate some of the stress your feeling.
5.
Plan to treat yourself when you're done.
Seriously, if children can get through needles knowing there is a lollipop waiting for them, why should grown women be any different.
Trust me, knowing that I was going to buy myself a dessert to go with my tea latte afterward gave me something to focus on and look forward to during the mammogram.
Whatever you decide to do to make you're day out with the girls more relaxing, make sure that you always make time for you health and wellness!
You know the ones that we hope are hanging closer to armpit level than the level of our belly buttons.
Whether triple D or barely there; whether objectified, enhanced, or simply perfect; whether a source of discontent or a source of nourishment for our babies - we need to hang out with our breasts once in a while.
So today, my Girls and I hung out at the lab for a mammogram.
While the idea of having one's breasts perfectly positioned for maximum squeezing doesn't top most women's 'How to Spend a Tuesday Afternoon List' - we need to take care of the Girls.
The first time I experienced a mammogram was at the age of 35.
Not very breast aware at that age, it was actually my aesthetician that discovered a (thankfully harmless) lump in my left breast while waxing my underarms.
After making an appointment with my doctor, I decided that there was no point in worrying unless I was told I truly had something to worry about.
Of course as much as I tried to stay true to this way of thinking, I couldn't help reflect on 'what if?' My initial reaction focussed on what life without one or both of my Girls would be like.
Then I took a really big step back and realized that a diagnosis of breast cancer could take away a whole lot more than my breasts.
When I stepped forward again suddenly my day to day worries and complaints were, for the most part, laughable.
So armed with this perspective, the few seconds of breast discomfort I felt two years ago and again today hardly seemed unreasonable.
Besides which the pain of a mammogram really isn't as bad as it sounds...
really! Perhaps I have a high threshold for pain or maybe I just lucked out with a warm machine and a great technician that really knew how to give a good mammogram, but any discomfort I felt literally lasted for only seconds and then I was comfortable again (well as comfortable as one can be when standing naked from the waste up with a stranger getting ready to manhandle your breast into position again).
Now two mammograms hardly makes me an expert, but here are a few suggestions I'd like to pass on to any mammogram newbies: 1.
Just breathe.
My discomfort came mostly from the feeling of having my breath taken away, so I made sure to take a slow, deep inhalation as the plates moved together during each of the 4 x-rays.
This helped reduce the feeling of breathlessness and of course all that oxygen helped keep me relaxed which in turn further reduced any pain.
2.
Distract yourself.
Knowing that the compression will only last for a few seconds goes a long way.
Pass the time by counting, imagining yourself lying on a sandy beach, or thinking about what you and the girls will do after the mammogram is over.
3.
Minimize breast tenderness.
Do not make the mistake I did for my first mammogram and book your appointment when your breasts are already tender from your menstrual cycle.
Most labs recommend booking about 10-14 days after your last period started to avoid additional breast tenderness.
Reducing your caffeine intake in the week previous to your mammogram should also help reduce the pain.
4.
Speak up! Ask questions.
Let the technician know if you're experiencing a lot of anxiety or pain.
Giving your concerns a voice may alleviate some of the stress your feeling.
5.
Plan to treat yourself when you're done.
Seriously, if children can get through needles knowing there is a lollipop waiting for them, why should grown women be any different.
Trust me, knowing that I was going to buy myself a dessert to go with my tea latte afterward gave me something to focus on and look forward to during the mammogram.
Whatever you decide to do to make you're day out with the girls more relaxing, make sure that you always make time for you health and wellness!
