Last time I had a breast "squeeze" the gown was white, the atmosphere clinical and the results ok.

Hope the other surgery is scheduled soon. For most of the people I know who have had it the results are worth it.

((Hugs)) from Sue.

Anne:

your mammogram was too much information for me, but at the same token I am looking forward to getting older gracefully, I am not worried about hanging breasts anymore, after my stroke, i guess these are some of the positives of the stroke.

Asha

Ann,

Good you had the tests. Hope your surgery goes well.

I want to take the opportunity to urge every woman who reads this to take Ann's lead and get a mammeogram. If you are male urge the women close to you.

A couple of years ago they found a lump in my left breast. Immediately I was told because the edges were smooth it was actually probably a cyst. They scheduled an ultra sound. It was not a cyst, but a lump. They assured me that because it was smooth edged it was benign.

I had the lump removed and it was benign as they suggested. Now I go every year without fail to get a mammogram. They are no fun, but are insurance.

The remark your Dr. made about the under wires sort of made me smile. I refuse to wear any wires and would rather have my waist with neighbors. I know it's wrong but I wonder if they could be dangerous - but now it's hard to get bras without them.

BTW, when I was in my late teens and early twenties (oh ancient times) we used to talk about girls who have their booobs up to their chin under their cashmere sweaters..........not nice but true. I find though that todays kids are really stocked. I had a friend who was a home ec teacher and said that it was difficult fitting the dress patterns and she believed it was from the hormones the cows were getting. Could be.

Glad all was well for you Ann. As for the veins, believe they have a different way now- I have a friend who had it done a long time ago. In her case, I believe it was heredity. Is it?

HI Well whhewh glad that is over for now. Glad you found the moist heat helped. And be sure and let us know, when the surgery is scheduled so we can send warm fuzzy thoughts for you.

Hi All,

Yes, Phyllis, the surgery is different now. I need to wait until the phlebitis is healed, so that will be awhile I think. I come by the varicose veins honestly. My Grandpa, Dad, and both Dad's sisters had them. Of course you know the "new" surgery is used with a laser. I've seen so many ads for the surgery on TV, used for cosmetic reasons of course. That makes it more difficult with insurance since they always question the real "need" for surgery now anyway. I'm sure it will all work out.

I have a theory about girls getting bigger on top these days. I think many, many teenage girls are now on birth control pills and they certainly increase breast size. That's just my theory though. You know each generation, in general seems to be taller and bigger than the past. I've thought alot about the fact that each generation of women is encouraged to take vitamins during pregnancy. I guess I'm not sophisticated enough in my reasoning to blame it on the hormones cattle take, but I know lots of people do view the whole food chain in a different way than I have in the past.

Anyway, yes - do get the mammogram done. Sorry about the TMI, Achandra! It's just a fact of life for us women that we really shouldn't ignore. I'm really mindful that breast cancer can be detected early and it's our responsibility to take care of ourselves. This is one non-invasive test that is available to us all and we need to take advantage of it!

Ann,

And many of those girls are getting breast implants for their high school gratuation gifts.

Jean

Jean,

I find it terribly sad that you are absolutely right. In this day and age of so-called "enlightenment", with the days of "womens lib" a mere memory to us and ancient history to these girls when I see the hyper-sexualizing of young women it almost makes me sick to my stomach. Mine was the generation of "bra burning" - supposedly a way to make things "better" for the next generation. I didn't believe it would work then and I sure don't believe it worked now.

The whole body image is so much an inside job - and unfortunately with videos and movies and media in general all the talk isn't making half the impact as the walk these kids see. I sure would hate to have a granddaughter have to fight the fat demon the way I do, but on the other hand, I'd hate to have one fight the images that are supposed to equal perfection too.

Enough ranting and preaching, right?