mammopad

[LauraMc]

Has anyone had the chance to try out the new mammopad? It's a foam thing that sticks to the plate when you have your mammogram? It doesn't look like much but supposedly it reduces the pain of a mammo by 50%. It costs $5 but might be worth it just for not having to put your boob on that cold plastic plate.

[bdavid]

I think I'd rather stick my breast on that cold plastic plate than on someone's used foam thing! ick.

In over 20 years of having mammograms, I've never found them to be more than a passing inconvenience. Certainly far less than a Pap smear!

[praline]

Just had my first mammogram recently. I think they sell the pads new to individuals? I saw the sign but no one asked me if I wanted one. I would have said no anyway, I wanted a clean x ray. It was a sureal experience, but honestly the biggest pain was not in my breast but in my arm pit from stretching and twisting over the plate. After all my fear it was no big deal at all :)

[LauraMc]

They give you new ones but they are sent for recycling after you use them. I agree about the pain being in the pit. I've had one every year for about 15 years because I have fibrocystic breast disease. I asked the girl once if she was trying to pop them, she had me squished so flat that it was inhumane. But better to be safe than sorry.

[Suzy Wong]

I doubt it gets in the way same as monster implant.....:covri:

[Isabella Maja]

They give you new ones but they are sent for recycling after you use them. I agree about the pain being in the pit. I've had one every year for about 15 years because I have fibrocystic breast disease. I asked the girl once if she was trying to pop them, she had me squished so flat that it was inhumane. But better to be safe than sorry.

Laura, I wonder if you have considered getting breast massage. I'm serious.
I hesitated to post this on the board but decided to go for it as it may help someone else as well.

[BTG]

LaurMC,

Do you agree with the guidlines that suggest women get annual mamograms starting at age 40 or do you think it should be an earlier age?

My wife is 34 and was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks ago. It is going to be hell for her for the next 6 to 8 months with the chemo and surgery, but luckily it seems like she caught it early enough as it is only in the breast and had not spread to the lymph nodes.

I only ask the question because we have heard from alot of woman in their early 30's who have breast cancer.

[praline]

BTG, I am so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. I'm glad she caught it early. I understand the guidelines say 40 but earlier if there is a family history. It does seem like there are more cases involving younger women. We have several in our church and school that we provide meals for during the chemo process. :(

[cstoehr]

I am sorry to hear that news as well BTG. Did her family have a history? It is strange that younger and younger women are being diagnosed, but I think that is because of the technology today and thea availability. Thank goodness she did not wait until 40 or in some cases older to get screened.

Thinking good thoughts. A friend of mine going through chemo has not had it as bad as some do, so hopefully that will be the same for your wife.

[edible complex]

LaurMC,

Do you agree with the guidlines that suggest women get annual mamograms starting at age 40 or do you think it should be an earlier age?

My wife is 34 and was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks ago. It is going to be hell for her for the next 6 to 8 months with the chemo and surgery, but luckily it seems like she caught it early enough as it is only in the breast and had not spread to the lymph nodes.

I only ask the question because we have heard from alot of woman in their early 30's who have breast cancer.

only good thoughts for you and your wife during this difficult time. go online and subscribe free to CURE magazine: http://www.curetoday.com/
there are many informative and supportive articles.

also see if they still offer subscriptions to Breast Cancer Wellness magazine:
http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/

and always remember that Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence!

[LauraMc]

Sorry to hear about your wife, BTG. My doc started me on mammograms when I was 28 because of the cysts. I haven't had pain in them for a few years, Isabella. Usually cutting out caffeine and taking Vitamin E makes it go away in a few weeks when it does bother me. For some reason, since I lost weight I haven't had any trouble with it. And I'm drinking more caffeine than ever.
BTG, I'm not sure even the doctors agree on the guidelines. I say if there is anything out of the ordinary at all or a family history, to get one. I met one person in college for my second degree who was having bloody discharge from her nipples. She started bleeding in class one day and asked me to come outside with her because she knew I was a nurse. Her doctor told her she didn't need a mammogram because she was only 30 and it was probably just an infection. This had been happening to her for 3 months. I sent her right away to a clinic that did walk-in mammograms. She was in surgery the next day. She had cancer in both breasts and it had metastisized already.

Even mammograms don't catch everything though. I have such lumpy breasts that I just have to do my monthly exam and remember where the lumps were. I've had several calcifications but luckily no other problems.

Good luck to your wife, BTG. For some reason, the drugs for breast cancer are some of the worst. But they have new drugs to help with the nausea and side effects. Just be sure she is seeing and oncologist and not just a regular OB/Gyn.

[BTG]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
I have been on the website breastcancer.org daily and have attended just about all of the doctor appointments that have taken place, just so I can learn as much as possible in order to help her through this.

No cancer history in the family. We were lucky that the OB/GYN told her to come in immediatly for a mamogram when she called and told him about the lump. We loved the treatment we got from the surgeon at Omega Hospital in Metairie. Every hospital should be that nice and patient friendly.
The oncologist we are seeing came highly recommended from two different people and my wife likes her alot, so that really helps.

[cstoehr]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
The oncologist we are seeing came highly recommended from two different people and my wife likes her alot, so that really helps.


That truly is what counts the most, your wife's impression of the physician that is taking on her battle. IMO A good interaction definitely is important. My friend who is undergoing the chemo and his wife both go to all of the appts and consulations and ask questions and keep notes. It is good that you are also getting in there and learning. Positive attitudes go a long way, as do all of our prayers.

[edible complex]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
I have been on the website breastcancer.org daily and have attended just about all of the doctor appointments that have taken place, just so I can learn as much as possible in order to help her through this.

No cancer history in the family. We were lucky that the OB/GYN told her to come in immediatly for a mamogram when she called and told him about the lump. We loved the treatment we got from the surgeon at Omega Hospital in Metairie. Every hospital should be that nice and patient friendly.
The oncologist we are seeing came highly recommended from two different people and my wife likes her alot, so that really helps.

Ginger Snaps...great for nausea! also slippery elm tea, aloe vera, licorice root, and probiotics. my dog had 5 rounds of Adriamycin, the red devil, and breezed thru it. I have all kinds of chemo tidbits...ask about chelation therapy too.

[Suzy Wong]

. I met one person in college for my second degree who was having bloody discharge from her nipples. She started bleeding in class one day and asked me to come outside with her because she knew I was a nurse. Her doctor told her she didn't need a mammogram because she was only 30 and it was probably just an infection. This had been happening to her for 3 months. I sent her right away to a clinic that did walk-in mammograms. She was in surgery the next day. She had cancer in both breasts and it had metastisized already.



:eek:
That Dr needs to be tarred and feathered. A bloody discharge like that is NOT NORMAL AT ALL, and even if it was an "infection" it should have been treated right away, to see what it was, good for you/her!!!! that you were able to direct her, it's too bad some people have so much faith in a Dr they take their word as law, I would have went to another Dr right away.

I was talking to a Dr last week, and she was saying it's amazing how people have bleeding of some kind, or worse, and wait MONTHS before they even go to a Dr.

BTG,
Sending Postive thoughts for your wife.