# 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:** 16
**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 6, 2023, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/301 "2023-12-06T01:49:26Z")
Congratulations on today’s outcome. I may have said before that I fired my first oncologist, who wouldn’t take the time to answer our questions but made sympathetic noises about me losing my hair. While yes, that is important for a lot of women’s sense of identity, it’s a lot less important medically than “Is there a statistical difference between the recurrence rates for tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor?” This, he had no time for. "Now, you’re _going_ to _lose_ your _hair…"_ while leaning forward with his brow creased told me all I needed to know about the quality of his work. We canned him and went to an oncologist at a teaching hospital instead. So worth the many multi-hour drives. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/302 "2023-12-06T05:59:11Z")
No, I don’t think I’ve seen that from you. And I don’t blame you for firing that doctor! It’s not like you didn’t know this was going to happen to you. ---
**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 6, 2023, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/303 "2023-12-06T06:03:43Z")
Nor, really, did I care, but he was so smarmy and fake-concerned sounding that I was repulsed, _and_ wouldn’t answer our questions about the actual chemo. There was more, but you get the flavor of it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/304 "2023-12-06T06:06:56Z")
Ugh, just what your need when your have a cancer diagnosis, a condescending doctor who won’t educate your as to your options. ---
**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 6, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/305 "2023-12-06T06:17:11Z")
Fortunately, I had a good alternative. Some of my counseling clients didn’t, and died of or had their deaths hastened by inadequate care. I’ll never live in an area without a well-rated cancer center, and I’ll never sign up for insurance that gives me no choices. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/306 "2023-12-06T06:28:49Z")
I missed out on this entire thread until now! Congratulations on the clean bike of health! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/307 "2024-06-06T23:05:32Z")
Going on 7 years, and looking good! I even lost a few pounds since my last doctor’s visit. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/308 "2024-06-06T23:22:14Z")
Good stuff! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/309 "2024-11-14T22:51:34Z")
I had another mammogram today. Maybe it’s just the overall tenor of the times, but I don’t feel good about this. I could look the results up tomorrow if I got the app, but I’ll wait for the letter (or phone call). ---
**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:** [November 15, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/310 "2024-11-15T00:43:54Z")
Fingers crossed! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2024, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/311 "2024-11-18T22:14:14Z")
Thanks, and I’m going to need it. They found abnormalities in both breasts that weren’t there before - calcification in the left (previously affected) breast, and asymmetry in the right one. I’m having additional imaging on the 27th. Wish me well! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2024, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/312 "2024-11-18T22:14:47Z")
Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/313 "2024-11-18T22:16:02Z")
Thanks. I do not want to go through this again. ---
**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:** [November 18, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/314 "2024-11-18T23:34:23Z")
I’m so sorry. Keep us in the loop as you wish, or just vent. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/315 "2024-11-20T18:22:38Z")
My mother died from breast cancer, so when they found an anomaly in one of my breasts, needless to say, I was a little terrified. I went through all the stuff you’re having done, and it turned out to have been exactly what you suspect yours might be: a clogged milk duct. Thinking of you and wishing you the best possible results. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/316 "2024-11-20T23:58:50Z")
Yesterday, I found out that a friend of mine, who has been dealing with myelodysplastic syndrome for a couple of years, is one of the 25% who had it turn into leukemia. Yeah, this is nothing (but it’s still my thing). He’s on medication to stabilize his blood counts, and will be evaluated next month for a bone marrow transplant. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/317 "2024-11-26T04:37:11Z")
Update, T minus 2 days: I am a bigger nervous wreck now than I ever was before, but then again, I know what COULD happen to me, even though it probably won’t, and they said that last time too. I rarely drink alcohol, but I had some wine earlier this evening. Did that on election night too. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2024, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/318 "2024-11-26T04:47:54Z")
Keep breathing! I know it’s difficult. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/319 "2024-11-27T06:55:11Z")
What do you mean, keep breathing? I don’t have a choice! (I know what you mean.) ---
**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:** [November 27, 2024, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018/320 "2024-11-27T07:11:33Z")
❤❤❤❤❤ With you in spirit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018.md?page=17)