Mammography Post-Tramatic-Stress

suzannmb63

During my pre-surgery mammographies, all of the caregivers were gentle, thoughtful, careful, and informative in explaining what each procedure was for, including chip marker injections. I had not experienced much pain other than the expected discomfort with all mammos. September 2024 I scheduled and went for my first full post-radiation mammography.

As I walked into the imaging center, and was given the tablet to update my medical information, I began to feel overwhelmed but continued to proceed to check in, and then suddenly began to shake and cry. Sadly, I was taken into an opened-door waiting room where I was told flat out, repeatedly, there is no other choice other than mammo first then ultra sound.

I was not directed to any counseling or support group. After I collected myself, I was basically escorted out.

I am this month now evaluating to find a new breast oncologist and imaging center (in Middletown NJ area) that can be more supportive of this and other "post cancer issues we are not told about".

I am very grateful now for connecting with so many women here and sharing our experiences. I would like to please learn how others may have overcome this mammography PTS. Thank you.

moderators

Hi @suzannmb63 ,

We’re really sorry that happened. Walking back in for that first post-treatment mammogram can bring up so much, and it makes total sense that it hit you the way it did. You deserved kindness and privacy in that moment.

Many women here talk about similar mammogram anxiety or PTSD — it’s more common than people realize! You’re definitely not alone in that.

It’s more than okay to look for a team and imaging center where you feel more supported. That matters and you deserve this.

We’re so glad you’re here and connecting with others. We hope more members share what’s helped them. 💛

goldenbutterfly

I am so sorry you went through this experience! And, I wish they had responded in a more trauma-informed or at least compassionate way to your distress. I have been through my own share of medical-related traumas, so I really do get it. I hope that you have a better experience at the new cancer center. It might also be helpful to speak with an oncology-experienced therapist at this point?

I have a mammogram coming up in early April and am abivalent about it at this point because of everything else that has happened over the past year. I'm pretty numb right now other than mulling over a recent appointment with a new Onco that went off the rails. It has me seeking an oncology-experienced or even a trauma therapist at this point.

In case it's helpful for you, I find mindfulness based approaches helpful when approaching stressful appointments. Kristen Neff has a website that offers readers self-compassion practices that you might helpful, and Tara Brach also offers a great deal of support in terms of mindfulness and radical acceptance approaches.

Take care. :)

suzannmb63

Thank you so very much. Now walking through the Medicare door, I have chosen to find a new female oncologist and female gynecologist, primarily to have a new perspective in moving forward, as well as creating a survivorship plan, and helping me with current issues. Also will be looking for an occupational therapist who can help treat peripheral neuropathy. All moving forward and staying positive.

suzannmb63

I wish to thank everyone at the Friday 1:00 group. For almost a year I had been struggling with not being able to go for imaging. I had been diagnosed with Mammo PTSD. I received suggestions to change imaging location, which I did last month, successfully without issue. Different location, different care providers, and simply different environment provided successful imaging. Gratefully, as they found an area of suspicion behind the removed lymph nodes which was biopsied yesterday (the day before my 66th birthday). I expect results on Friday and seeing oncologist next week as to path forward. I am beginning to read about recurrence as well as mastectomies. Thank you for continued support and prayers.

kks_11

@suzannmb63 thanks for this update, and for giving a voice to what is probably all too common an experience among survivors. Wishing you all good things as you wait for the results.

jthmith

Good grief. The acronyms in so many posts are daunting. Where is a glossary for newbies?! Does everyone know what these stand for - ICD? BSO? AC?T SNB? Are y'all all MDs?

moderators

Hi @jthsmith and welcome to our community! We're so sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but we're really glad you've found us. You're sure to find our space a great source of advice, information, and support - we're all here for you!

If you don't mind, share a little about yourself and your experience here so we can help answer any other questions you have and support you. Filling out your profile and creating a signature is a good way to offer a quick snapshot of your story so others know the best way to weigh in.

In the meantime, let's see if we can help with your questions about abbreviations - we know a breast cancer diagnosis comes with a whole new language to learn!

IDC = Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, a type of breast cancer

AC/T = Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Taxotere or Taxol, a type of chemotherapy regimen

SNB = Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, an additional surgery during lumpectomy or mastectomy

There are a bunch of others in this thread about our Abbreviations.

We hope this helps get you started. Please let us know any questions you have and how we can best support you.

—The Mods