I Forgot to Get My Mammogram


Can you remember what time of year you normally get your mammogram, or when your last mammogram was? Most of us could check an old bill or calendar to remind us of when we are next due for a mammogram. This isn’t something we think of each day, and life keeps us so busy we forget these annual appointments.

For Barb Holmes, Radiology Technologist at Crawford County Memorial Hospital, she did forget, and she performs mammography every day. Barb has been a Radiology Technologist for 30 years and has a mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer. You probably are asking, “So how could she forget?” Life can be very busy, and it was indeed more than busy for Barb. She is heavily involved in her church, which burned down and she then helped rebuild; her mother-in-law and father-in-law had died that year; and she was very busy with her grandchildren. Barb normally schedules her mammogram on her birthday. However, six months elapsed. Etta Peterson, one of Barb’s co-workers, told her that they should both schedule their mammograms that day. Barb agreed, and discovered a growth on her own films. Barb stated, “I was startled and wanted it removed as soon as possible”. She recalls that within the next week she had a biopsy followed by a mastectomy done at Crawford County Memorial Hospital. Barb then underwent four chemotherapy treatments. “My hair fell out and I wore a different hat every day to match my outfit. I was surrounded by a lot of love and support from my family and friends at Crawford County Memorial Hospital.”

                                        

“I guess I thought I had a lot more time than what I did. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on her very first mammogram at the age of 78. I thought I really didn’t have to worry about the possibility until I was in my 60’s, but it happened to me in my 50’s.”

Barb stated, “Since I forgot my own appointment, we (Radiology Department) now mail reminders to all of our patients, urging them to schedule their annual exam.”