There Has To Be A Better Way...

For any of you out there that have had a mammogram... let me just say that "I am sorry".

You would think that with technology being as advanced as it is these days that there would be a better way! I guess not.

After having my first mammogram years ago and having a tear jerking experience I swore never to return! And after months of putting this one off I finally decided to buck up and get it done. (Mainly for the sake of my family, in case it was something significant)

So this morning I lathered up with Lidocaine gel (Solarcaine), popped a few ibuprofen and headed for the hospital. With a strait face I totally lied to the tech at the appointment when she asked of I had any powder, lotion or deodorants on, (I was desperate, plus she never mentioned anything about gel) and well.... smash-a-roo. Anyways I'm not sure if the gel or the Ibuprofen helped but I would like to think so and would recommend it. Luckily there was nothing significant to report other than I get to go back in 6 months and do it all over again. Yippee!

For any of you who have not had the wonderful experience of mammography I found a few tips online that may help prepare you. I thought I would share.

By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test, and best of all, you can do these simple practice exercises right in your home.

Exercise 1:Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast between the door and the main box. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut as hard as possible and lean on the door for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat again in case the first time wasn't effective enough.

Exercise 2:Visit your garage at 3 AM when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect.Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor with one breast wedged under the rear tire of the car.Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast insufficiently flattened and chilled. Turn over and repeat for the other breast.

Exercise 3:Invite a stranger into the room. Press the bookends against one of your breasts. Smash the bookends together as hard as you can. Set an appointment with the stranger to meet next year and do it again.

And lastly, my own personal tip. Take you hubby along with you. I don't think they quite "get it" until they actually see it.

So there you have it ladies!!!

Call your Dr. today to get those mammograms done?!