Sunday, March 25, 2007

MAMMOGRAMS! PG 13 - for males

My mother died of breast cancer so you would think that I would be at the medical center yearly for my mammogram, but you would think wrong, because somehow the fear of the MAMMOGRAM is stronger than my fear of cancer. Does this make any sense to a rational woman? Of course the answer is no, but here are the facts: 1- I haven't had cancer, although I've seen the misery, first hand, that it can cause. 2-I have had MAMMOGRAMS and KNOW the pain they cause. thus...The real pain is greater than the perceived pain. Does that sound like a good theory to anyone who actually studies psychology, logic, etc...
Well here are the next set of facts: 1- each MAMMOGRAM is totally different depending on the clinician giving the exam. 2- each MAMMOGRAM is totally different depending on the size of your breasts. 3- each MAMMOGRAM is different depending on the time of the month.

So...after three years of no MAMMOGRAMS I finally went in and hit the slab, so to speak. You know what, not too bad this time!!!! That is why I am dedicating this blog to "The Professional Mammographer with a Gentle Touch."
One year I had a girl that had just gradutated, I guess that could be a term, from her mammography clinicals....I fondly refer to her as "The Mammographer From Hell", I was one of her first 20 victims. After that experience, I trembled uncontrollably, I broke out into a sweat, couldn't stop from crying with a whinning to it, and then tossed my cookies. I was in pain for several days.
A few years past I had lost alot of weight and as women all over know, this means the bust size goes first, so I was really small. Those exams were painful but never, ever compared to the MAMMOGRAMS of a larger bust size.

The conclusion: 1- I heartily encourage all women to get mammograms. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE. 2- Some of you won't have too bad of an experience. 3- Some of you will want to rip someone's eyes out. For the latter I suggest blogging, it's a great way to vent.

7 comments:

Abbie said...

Question---when is it necessary to get a mammogram? like if i had a friend say 19yrs old, maybe with a grandma who had it, that maybe hasn't ever had one, do you think they should get one?

Roy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Roy said...

I deleted my previous comment .....I thought I understood this m. world but I was so wrong! It is shameful to laugh so loudly at someone elses discomfort.

Anonymous said...

Mammograms have never been an issue with me, for obvious reasons. But laughing about them made my day.
Thanks Catherine.

For now said...

Mom- you came home and told Lizzie Kieth and I about your experience after the time you wanted to die. I have never been so scared. And vowed never to go and get one of those beastly procedures.

angie said...

i like your exercises on the right - too funny, mom!

Anonymous said...

The Manogram - just too funny - I twinge at the sight. I truly can't even imagine but I will do my best to empathize.