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. 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.

I can't help you specifically @Jo_H as I ended up with a mastectomy but I do understand both the scanxiety and the physical pain that a mammogram can cause. When I went for the one that started all this, I was a mess as mammograms were always been excruciatingly painful. My first one after the mastectomy, I was really scared. The best thing you can do is to let the radiographer know what's going on - both that you're scared of the pain and of the result. In my experience, they take this on board and are as gentle as possible.

Hi @Jo_H, when I was in your situation,I took 2 panadol about an hour before my mammogram. It might help a bit. You might find the ultrasound is worse than the mammo as they roll it back n forwards over your breast. So yes,tell the radiographer up front and she’ll hopefully be more gentle with you. The first one is hard and the anticipation is probably worse than the actual test.Keep busy till Monday.xx

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.

I went through this in mid November, the lead up was hard, too much worrying on my part. Mammogram was a bit more painful, but the radiographer was lovely and did her best to minimise the pain. I had to have a core biopsy on a suspicious area a few weeks later, thankfully benign. Try not to worry that you’re worried, but it’s ok to be worried...I’m hoping all will be well with you.

Not a good time for you @Jo_H, as it is quite an uncomfortable thing, both the test and the waiting for results. You have anxiety, and rightfully so. Chances are everything is going to be ok, but your body is preparing you for a dreaded situation. So let it. Don’t fight the anxiety too much, it’s there for a reason. Just tell yourself you have every right to be anxious and worried, and see if there’s anything you can do to minimise it. As the ladies suggested, telling the radiographer is one thing you can do, which will no doubt be very helpful. They’ll look after you. Taking the panadol is another. Doing breathing exercises might help too. Keeping busy. And in the end, just tell your anxiety it can stay if it wants, but you’re just going to continue doing the things you normally would. It can keep you company. Then just do your thing. It will pass quickly enough 🍀♥️

Mammogram after lumpectomy

Leia
Member
5 years ago
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 😊
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
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 ☺️
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
You’re welcome @Leia, this forum makes me feel normal too 😊☺️🥰
jennyss
Member
5 years ago
Dear @Jo_H and everyone who responded, thanks for posting and

from jennyss in Western NSW
Sister
Member
5 years ago
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.
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
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!
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
This is actually really comforting @iserbrown, that she’s 25 years along after it all. I like that. Very hopeful 😊

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