Forum Discussion
Mammogram after lumpectomy
Hi fellow bc friends, I had a lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy in Jan 2020 followed by 4 weeks radiation. Currently taking Tamoxifen & generally coping pretty well considering the weird year we’ve had. I still get quite a bit of pain in my bc breast and underarm, especially when I wear different bras or swimmers and if I overstretch or lie on my stomach at all for any length of time.
I am due to have my first follow-up mammogram and ultrasound on Monday and am feeling extremely anxious. I’m fearful of how painful it will be having my breast compressed, to the point now that it makes me feel sick in the stomach just anticipating it.
I am due to have my first follow-up mammogram and ultrasound on Monday and am feeling extremely anxious. I’m fearful of how painful it will be having my breast compressed, to the point now that it makes me feel sick in the stomach just anticipating it.
Can any other ladies who’ve been through this provide me with any reassurance that it won’t be as painful as I fear. I keep telling myself that I’ve coped with worse and it’ll be over in no time but I can’t help feeling really anxious about it.
17 Replies
- This is actually really comforting @iserbrown, that she’s 25 years along after it all. I like that. Very hopeful 😊
- I had a dear friend visit yesterday. She's 25 years since diagnosis and treatment. She's due for a mammogram next week and the anxiety is back.
The numbness and sharp pain is still with her and as she says you just learn to roll with it. She took tamoxifen for 8 years.
It's an ongoing saga! - I think the world expects us to be over it and I also think that we often believe we should be, too. One of the things this forum does is to let us see that we're not alone in feeling anxious and sad and angry and that our reactions are quite normal.
- Dear @Jo_H and everyone who responded, thanks for posting and
from jennyss in Western NSW - You’re welcome @Leia, this forum makes me feel normal too 😊☺️🥰
- You’re very welcome @Jo_H! I’m glad it’s helping you. I got these suggestions a few months ago and they really worked for me. Things persist when we resist, but once we allow it, it goes away on its own. And it is a good sign that your protective mechanisms are working really well 👌🏻😁. All your coping strategies sound fantastic, especially the lovely lunch with hubby afterwards 🥰. And the gardening is great too-nothing better than nature to soothe the soul ☺️
- That’s all good advice for me too! It’s not until April but not looking forward to that mammogram! My affected breast is still pretty tender. Thanks everyone. As Jo_H says, it’s nice to feel ‘normal’ , and that’s how you all make me feel 😊
- Thank you all so much for you’re responses. You have made me feel so much more normal and like I’m not alone in this. It’s hard to talk to family about such things as I don’t want to worry or upset them.Your suggestion @FLClover to tell my anxiety it can stay and to sit with it really resonated with me. I really don’t need to resist it or push it away and as you said it is just my body preparing for a dreaded situation. “This too shall pass” and before I know it’ll be over.
At least now I have a bunch of tools to help me, I will take some Panadol, tell the radiographer, do some deep breathing and mindfulness, take a book and plan a lovely lunch with hubby for after. And in the meantime I will keep very busy (been gardening today) and I’ll check out those tick lists @arpie
Thanks again everyone, you really are an awesome support 😊 - Hi @Jo_H I won’t be far behind you, my 12 month mammogram will be on 1st February
I have also been thinking that it won’t be pleasant getting the post lumpectomy boob squashed.All the best x - @Jo_H I was a mess everytime I thought about my one year mammo and ended up going to a psych. She diagnosed me with PTSD due to the mistreatment I had received from the doctor for my first biopsy (another story but basically no local anaesthetic given). On her recommendation, I wasn't allowed to think about the procedure until three days before it and then I could yell scream cry or whatever. I was to buy myself something I really wanted (a puzzle, good book,dvd, etc) and not use it until after my mammo. I was to promise myself a lovely lunch or dinner after the procedure. I was also to take a relaxant half an hour prior to the appointment. I did all those things and for me it worked. Previously, I had myself all tied up three months prior to the mammo so this was a huge help for me. Do whatever it takes to get your mind off it in the short term. I had a cow of a radiographer who had no respect for my insecurity of being monoboobed, yet I still left the clinic feeling pretty proud of myself. Sending big hugs.
