Have been having annual mammos for 25+ years -- last 8 at the same Kaiser radiology. I've never had a problem or an abnormality.

Had my annual screening Nov. 4th. Today I get a call (actually a message on my home voice mail despite the fact that they have both my work and my cell numbers) that they need me to come back for more films. When I call back, the woman answerintg the phone doesn't know why because "the radiologist doesn't tell us." -- just that they need me to come back. She did say that a whopping 30% of "our ladies" get called back .

I e-mailed my primary care doc, who hasn't seen any report yet and doesn't know anything, either. He did say that calls backs are routine and may just be that they didn't get a good shot, so don't worry. Easy for him to say

I have an appointment for Tuesday afternoon -- so it's going to be a long weekend.

Logically I'm sure that this is routine and will turn out to be nothing, but I am, unfortunately, terrified.

Thanks for listening.
Lydia

Lydia, this is very common, especially with the digital mammography. I was called back two years ago, and there appeared to be a lesion on my films which was not there on the repeat. I think my skin folded over or something in the "crusher." Try not to worry. Many, many of us have been called back.

Hugs,
Meryl

Lydia: If it were glaringly cancer, they would have talked to you in person, or had you come right in. I'm betting they didn't get a good shot, or as Meryl suggested, it was a skin fold. This has happened to at least 3 of my friends. Try not to worry...let us know what happens...

Lydia its possible the films were blurry don;t be worried.Anyways if it was something suspicious your doctor would be calling you into his office i had califications before on my beast and gyno called me in and explained to me about it and sent me to specilaist. everything turn out good.

I was feeling like you were just last week after my 1st mammogram....I had a letter asking me to go back and my appt is Monday...I have talked with several friends who said they have been called back before....sometimes its just a bad film...and I'm sure in my case they just don't know my boobs!!!

It will probably be nothing (except the extra $$$!)....I'm not worrying anymore.

Caz

Thanks to all of you for the reassuring words.

I tried to be proactive this morning and demand they get me in today. Nope. not possible. So then I tried a different tactic - -could a radiologist please call me and let me know what's going on? Nope. Way too busy.

The women at the radiology call center were all very polite and tried to be reassuring, but they have no information, just a script, and there is often no way with the Kaiser system to actually talk to someone who does know something.

So I'll keep telling myself that it probably is just a bad film and hope I can get through the next few days relatively sane. My biggest problem is not being afraid that there is something wrong. I can deal with that. My problem is Kaiser's endlessly cavalier attitude.

Thanks again for all the good thoughts, reassuring words, hugs -- and most of all for letting me rant and rave.

Lydia

Another possibility is that you might have a cyst. I automatically get an ultrasound after my mammograms now, because I have various simple cysts that come and go (one of the other joys of perimenopause!) So even if there's 'something there', try not to worry until there's actually something to worry about (easier said then done, I know).

(((lydia))),

you got great support & info from everyone who has already posted in reply. just wanted to add my hugs & best wishes. i am going in tomorrow for more mammogram views & an ultrasound of an area that i had a 6 month recheck on in october. i was really worried in april when i got my 1st callback after the annual mammogram. & then when this mammogram merited more diagnostic evaluation, i came back here & posted again for info & support. that has helped me so much. i am just taking this one diagnostic step at a time, knowing that in the majority of cases, everything turns out fine.

take care of yourself these next few days & i hope that you find some reassurance in the knowledge that the vast majority of these further evals turn out just fine. it's hard to wait (they couldn't get me in for a week & a half at least), but i hope all goes well for you.

best,
ellen

That kind of attitude really upsets me. They know you're upset, yet no one will tell you anything. I FINALLY found a doctor in Florida who, after you have your mammo, takes you into his office and shows you everything in your breast, explaining it all very clearly. You know immediately what's up. He first tells you everything is okay, and then points out things like calcifications and compares your x-rays from the previous year. Quite refreshing. I thanked him many times for being so considerate to women. He really understood the anxiety that comes with having a mammogram. By the way, he does that with any test you have in his office, not just mammograms.

Thanks again to everyone for all the reassurance.

I know it's probably no big deal -- just have to stop "what iffing" myself crazy.

Have a good weekend, ladies. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Lydia

Lydia,
I have had many many call backs. Each time it makes me nervous. But each time it was for various reasons---skin folded, wasn't a good picture, etc. etc. Call backs are quite common and they just want to make sure. That in itself is reassuring though. I always feel that after my mammo is over and done with that absolutely nothing had shown up on the mammo because they are soooo thorough.

LLW

Hi Ladies:

Thank you all again for your support. I am trying to be positive and remind myself that being thorough is a very good thing, indeed, but I confess -- my appointment is tomorrow afternoon and I am completely, totally terrified of what might be.

Thanks again for listening.
Lydia

Lydia, I'm saying a little prayer for you. I empathize with how scared you must be. I had to go back once myself and while it turned out to be nothing I remember how scared I was.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for your reply Lydia....

I just talked with my hubby and he thinks I should talk with my gyn first and then maybe go for another mammo in 3 months instead of waiting 6.....I don't know, I'm still confused.....if I could get the biopsy done first thing in the morning, I would, but no doubt there is a 2-3 week waiting time for an appt!!! (more time to worry endlessly).

Take deep breaths tomorrow and let us know how it all goes.

I will be thinking of you.

Caz

Yup - it's the waiting that gets you. We need to figure out how to turn off the worry button. My girlfriend who has the same anxities I do about this stuff suggested www.freerice.com to take your mind off things. They post a word, you guess the meaning. For every correct answer you donate rice to the hungry. I donated a couple of thousand grains tonight. And the evening is still young.

Actually -- going back in three months sounds like a good idea.

Will let you know how it goes tomorrow. Appointment is at 3:15. My DH is going with me for moral support. Hang in there.

Lydia

Hey Ladies:

Just to let everyone know I went back today, and they couldn't find anything. After more films and an ultrasound whatever it was has "disappeared". Probably just a skin fold - - which at my age woujld be expected.

So the DH is taking me out to dinner and life is good once again.

Thanks to all of you for the kind words and support.

Lydia

Dear 'Lydia

Congratulations and Celebrations for the great result.I could not be happier for you.

You have a delicious dinner with your husband

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Terrfic news, Lydia! Go out and enjoy life like it's a big party!

Yeah, congratulations. its always good to hear great news. Enjoy!

Lydia...I'm so happy everything turned out okay.

Hugs,
Karen

Thanks Ladies!

You really helped me through this.

Lydia

Lydia,
I'm so happy for you that everything turned out okay.

Hugs,

Arla.

This just happened to me. I am SO scared.
I just had my 1st Mammo at 46 (now I am kicking myself for waiting so long).... I got a phone call to come back (not til 12/8) for another Mamm & ultrasound. They said there was something in the left breast they need to see better???? I am so afraid. I have no BC in my family. My hubby keeps reassuring me everything is fine. I have felt no lumps..but do have a strange sensation now & then on that side - more in the space inbetween my underarm & breast. Had thought it was my bra bothering me..... UGH! I have also started going through Menopause the past year - only have had 2 periods.

I have been called before about repeating my mammogram and everytime it freaks me out. I got a mammogram screening last Friday (2/20) and today they call be to do a diagnostic (better pictures), same place on my right breast (microcalcification)... scared as always. I am scheduled to do the repeat on March 2 ... I know the waiting for the results will be the hardest.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Plumeria

Plumeria, I've had to go back myself and know the trepidation you are going through. I'll be praying for you.

Welcome Mousefairy!

I noted you quoted me....that was end of last October when I went back to get further mammo and ultrasound...also on my left breast. The 'wet behind the ears' radiographer
said there was a small 8mm nodule, but it didn't look like it was anything serious as it was smooth edged, and suggested I go back in 6 months for a re-check (or if I really wanted I could go get a needle biopsy done, but he kept repeating that it didn't look serious....so I decided to wait the 6 months).

Since they squashed me in that mammo contraption at least 10 times in total - to get better pictures - which traumatised me somewhat on my first visit, I have decided to NOT get a mammogram done, but I am going to get digital thermography instead. I have researched it, and it is as good, if not more accurate in detecting anything probelmatic... it costs more, as I believe it is not covered by insurance (about $200)...but I really don't care, I just refuse to be manhandled that way !!!!

I will get that done in a couple of months time.

Let us know how yours turns out.

Caz