09/06/2024
Public service announcement:
I turned 40 a few months ago, which means it's now time for my annual screening mammogram. I wrote my own referral back in July right before I turned 40 and held on to the script in my work bag for months. Not really sure why. I knew I needed to go but I just didn't really want to deal with the scheduling and all that it entailed. This is what I do all day every day at work, but theyre not kidding when they say doctors make the worst patients. In the midst of my procrastination, I found out a friend was recently diagnosed and of course that burned a fire under my butt to get moving.
I scheduled for a same day screening mammo. I got called that afternoon with my results stating that they were not able to complete my exam because they need more images. I had coached my own patients thru this very moment of anxiety hundreds of times through the years. To the point that my spiel to all my own patients who turn 40 is, it sucks and it's not a pleasant experience but it must be done to protect you. Your first study may be incomplete because there are no images to compare to. Don't stress out, I'm here for you. For a screening mammo with no symptoms, more than likely all will be well. I coached myself through this and scheduled my diagnostic mammo and ultrasound.
This will now be my yearly reminder to ALL to please take care of your health and schedule your preventative exams whether it's a mammo, a pap smear, a colonoscopy etc etc etc. None are pleasant at the time, but prevention saves lives!
Thanks for reading.
