My Experience

At the advice of my gynecologist, I decided to get a baseline mammogram. I was referred to a radiology practice and specifically a doctor who has a very good reputation. Unfortunately, the practice does not take any healthcare insurance. I deliberated whether I should go to another practice that was in my plan, but after talking with my mom, who’s had these done for years, decided I wanted to go to someone with a good reputation, and this was worth the $375 tab. Plus, I am enrolled in a medical flex plan, meaning I put pre-tax funds away to cover medical expenses not covered by my insurance, or for when I haven’t hit the (outrageous) deductible yet.

I waited about 45 minutes in the waiting area, and then was called back into a small room and told to undress from the waist up, and don a paper gown. I was told the doctor would be in to see me shortly. About 10 minutes later, she came in, and did a very quick breast exam. She was pleasant, but this literally lasted 30 seconds, I think. I was then led to the room with the radiography equipment, and introduced to the technician who did the films. She asked me if I was pregnant (no), and then had me put on a protective skirt around my waist. I still had my pants and heels on…no joke. Ok, so, mammography is not comfortable! Your breasts are manipulated and squeezed between plates of glass pretty darn hard, and you have to hold your breath for a few seconds. The technician kind of scolded me for moving. I have to say, this being NYC, you kind of expect people to be efficient but brusque, but it would have been nice if she had recognized this was my first time, and was a little more patient. Once the films were taken, she had me confirm that my name and DOB on the imaging machine were correct, and then I was told to dress and go back out to the waiting room.

Here’s where the ‘fun’ began. I waited some time longer while other women were called back for their results. One thing I liked was that the readings were done, by the doctor who saw me, while I was there. Suddenly, I was called back and told that I had to go re-do the films. The technician said. “They want to check something” and pointed out a blurry spot on the image of my right breast, which she said might just be the film. She repeated the films in different position, and told me to wait. She came back and repeated the films again. By this time, I was getting upset, but she reassured me that they had to re-do films all the time. Basically, I was panicked, half naked, and freezing cold while I waited in the radiology room, and in a small waiting room next door with a couple of other (older) women who were very nice, and tried to be reassuring. One of them said, “Oh, when you get older, this stuff happens. You’ll be okay.” Finally, after more films, I was told to dress and taken to a darkened room to speak with the doctor, who pointed to the spot in question on the film and told me she wanted me to have a sonogram done to see what it was. She told me I could schedule that for another day, or, standing behind me was another doc who could do it then and there. I opted for option B, and so was led to a (much warmer) small room with sonogram equipment. After a sonogram and biopsy, we found out it was a nonmalignant tumor.