Today was my mammogram appointment. An appointment I had been putting off (which you should never do!) because my last mammogram was such a horrible experience; for several reasons but mostly for the person who gave the mammogram but also because they found something on my mammogram.
The person who did my mammogram last spring brought me to a room that was freezing. When you are nervous you are already cold and being put into the cold makes things worse. Why was I nervous? Any normal person would be nervous of course but for me each time I go it seems like I am on the countdown. My mother had breast cancer, as did her mother and her mother before her. My paternal grandmother also had breast cancer.
So back to last years visit. I was then asked to drop my gown so she could begin. This was the first time in 20 years of mammograms I have ever been asked to do this. I was freezing so it made it hard to hold still and then without the gown the cold of course got worse not to mention that there was no reason to drop my gown. But when you are in those situations you do what you are told. While I was getting the mammogram done not only was she extremely rude but the pain was so intense it brought tears to my eyes at certain times and she basically told me to suck it up and she had to take another view. It was one of the longest mammograms I have ever had.
After someone looked at the films they found a lump in my left breast. I then had an ultrasound and it could not be defined exactly what it was which of course led me to believe my time had come.
After talking with a few friends I decided the place to go was the Ashikari Breast Center in Cortlandt Manor as Dr. Ashikari came highly recommended and is known all over the East Coast. They put me in right away and their compassion and professionalism from the first phone call was outstanding. Luckily Dr. Ashikari told me it was something that just needed to be watched and he was not concerned about it at all.
Which brings me to today. I had called my Dr. two weeks ago to tell her I was overdue on 
my mammogram and why. She was horrified and sent me to the ORMC Ray W. Moody Breast Center in Middletown, NY. I believe I might have been there 1 other time in the distant past because as I arrived there I had a good feeling about the place like I had been there before.
The person that came to get me for my mammogram took me straight back to the room and gave me my mammogram. She was probably the gentlest, most considerate person I have ever had. My mammogram took just a few short minutes and while it was being done she was so courteous about the movements of the gown, whether or not I was in pain and tried her best to make me comfortable as she was getting it done. She almost brought me to tears with her kindness because I was so stressed and nervous after the last time.
So if you need a mammogram please do not hesitate to go especially if you have had a bad experience, but if you are looking for a new place to go definitely go to the Ray W. Moody Breast Center in Middletown. And if a pretty blond lady named Karen comes out to get you, you know you are in good hands, (literally) for your mammogram. Karen I am so grateful for you today!
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