# I had an abnormal screening mammogram. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 23, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018 "2017-09-23T02:47:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/241 "2018-10-20T04:37:05Z")
Susan, how are you doing? You can PM me if you don’t want to post the details here. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/242 "2018-10-20T16:13:13Z")
Thanks for asking. I’m doing well as I come up on 4 years past the ambiguous mammogram. I have some ongoing pain so I had a series of scans (all of which were unremarkable) and other sequelae that are annoying but manageable. My vision prescription has stabilized so I was able to get glasses. My joints are easily injured, but I’m able to go to my dance fitness classes twice a week. One of my medical people put me on a short-term low-carb, high-fat diet to counter the creeping Tamoxifen weight gain and increased A1c, and that’s been helpful. My memory is a bit worse, but still better than average. My lymphedema nurse has okayed the use of a larger backpack as long as it’s not overloaded, so I’ll be able to arrange some foot travel I’ve had to put off. Later this winter I’ll get to try higher altitude for a couple of days to see if that causes any problems. How are you doing? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2018, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/243 "2018-10-25T06:02:54Z")
I had my anniversary mammogram (by now) yesterday, and the surgeon got the results right away and said that it looks like everything is healing nicely and there was nothing abnormal on the scans that he didn’t do to me (like the titanium marks in the scar, that looked like donut sprinkles), and he doesn’t need to see my any more. 🆒 In addition, my DEXA scan (ETA for osteoporosis; I had it a few weeks ago) was within normal range for women my age, although any further treatment will be discussed next week with my oncologist. So, in short, the news is excellent. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2018, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/244 "2018-10-25T10:43:24Z")
–throwing titanium confetti in the air– WAHOOO!!! Such great news!! Maybe a donut with sprinkles to celebrate! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/245 "2018-10-25T17:14:02Z")
Great news! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/246 "2018-12-21T04:19:01Z")
I saw my radiation oncologist for the 1-year checkup, and she said everything looks good and she wants to see me one more time, this time next year. If things stay OK, I will not need to see her again. 🆒 Afterwards, I was going to check out a new donut shop that opened here in town, but I decided not to right now, because it had a line snaking out the door - in mid-afternoon! :eek: I’ll go later, when the novelty wears off. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/247 "2018-12-21T05:08:05Z")
Wonderful news! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/248 "2019-03-31T03:18:34Z")
I figured this was as good a place to post this as any. In the past few months, I have received 3 bills from the pathologist for services rendered in 2017. Long story made short: Shortly before I got the first one, I found out that medical bills must be filed and/or issued within 6 months, or they’re declared null and void - and when I called the billing office, that’s exactly what the phone rep told me. I got her name and have kept the bill, and am glad I did because today, I got yet another one which states that if I don’t pay it ASAP, it will go to collections. :rolleyes: So, I’ll be making another phone call on Monday. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/249 "2019-03-31T03:25:19Z")
I’m glad this thread was revived for an insurance issue and nothing else. Good luck with the [del]idiots[/del] billing office. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/250 "2019-03-31T04:27:17Z")
The bill, BTW, is for $58, which shouldn’t really make or break anyone. It still merits a phone call. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/251 "2019-04-02T01:08:45Z")
I called the hotline, and the automated system said the bill was paid in full. I then pushed the “speak to a person” button and she said she did something which would mean I don’t get any more bills. Hope it works. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/252 "2019-04-19T17:26:40Z")
18-month update: I met with my oncologist on Wednesday, and he said everything looks good and he’ll see me again in the fall. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/253 "2019-04-19T21:45:07Z")
Hurrah!! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/254 "2019-04-20T03:23:03Z")
Excellent news! ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/255 "2019-05-07T20:10:07Z")
I only discovered this thread today, which is funny timing because I had an abnormal screening mammogram on Thursday. Bilateral 5mm masses; the one on the right is likely a benign intramammary lymph node. The sonogram and diagnostic mammogram are scheduled for the end of next week. I’m hoping my films from 3 years ago (my first and only previous mammogram) will arrive by then, so I can bring them with me. I had some minor apprehension at first, but am now firmly in a “the odds are \*way \*in my favor, this is just going to be an annoyance” frame of mind. 😃 Anyway, I’ve read every post in this thread and am happy for **nearwildheaven**! I hope that **susan** and **PunditLisa** are also relatively well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/256 "2019-05-08T02:48:42Z")
Best of luck to you, and keep us posted. I’m over 4 years out from surgery and doing well. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/257 "2019-12-26T21:40:28Z")
I had my 2-year follow-up with the rad onc today, and not only did she give me a clean bill of health, she said I do not have to see her again for a year (in this case, early January 2021). In the meantime, I had an appointment with my oncologist in September, and he told me that he didn’t think I needed the Zoladex implant (chemical castration) any more. I will have a blood draw next month to see if I am in permanent menopause, and if I am, it will not be renewed. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/258 "2019-12-27T01:36:17Z")
What a beautiful gift to start the New Year with!!! 🙂 Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/259 "2019-12-27T02:12:03Z")
It sure was a great Christmas present too! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/260 "2019-12-27T02:31:46Z")
That’s great! StG [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018.md?page=14)