VIDEO: Getting Real About My First Mammogram Right Here in Maine

Turning 40 is both exciting and miserable.

Exciting because growing older and being on this planet is certainly something to celebrate but miserable because, you’re getting old. And when you turn 40, that is when you should make an appointment to get a mammogram.

Why 40? One you turn 40, breast cancer is more likely to show up and be more aggressive, according to Hopkins Medicine.

I turned 40 in September, which meant it was officially that time. The boob bells were ringing and honestly? I was nervous. From what I’ve heard my whole life, getting a mammogram sounds like it’s some medieval form of flattening, but since getting it done, it wasn’t bad at all.  

I documented the experience and posted it to Instagram, check it out. 

I went to St. Mary’s Imaging department in Lewiston, Maine and from the moment I walked in, hand and hand with my wife, Nelly, the staff made me feel so comfortable.

I pre-registered online at home to shorten the wait time and by the time I walked in, got it done, and left, it was less than 30 minutes.

My tech, Erin was pure sunshine and support. She reminded me to breathe, a shockingly easy thing to do but also easy to forget when your boobs are being inserted into a machine that produces radiation. 

Before I left my house, I was in the bathroom wiping off my deodorant, like an animal because I forgot I couldn’t wear any and suddenly thought, “I’m going to squeeze my boobs as hard as I can, just so I can feel what it’s like.”

So I did and wow, I did it wicked hard. My immediate conclusion on that experiment was? If a mammogram squeezes harder than my own hands, I’m definitely going to cry.

The actual process? Took 5 minutes and didn’t hurt at all. There was absolutely zero pain. Was it comfortable? No, but it wasn’t painful in the least.  

The tech was Erin and she knew her stuff. She was warm, delicate, and supportive. Having someone that feels like she could be part of your family, makes it that much less stressful. She guided me through every second of what was going to happen.  

You are standing up straight in front of the 3D Mammogram and your breast is gently place on the machine. You have to be right up against it, so the image takes.

There is pressure as the machine moves to squeeze, but no pain. She repeats for the other breast and does another angle. In total, each breast was compressed twice. The redness on my chest was because of the machine pressing against my skin. But I will again say, no pain.  

Now, I am sharing this experience with every woman I have ever met that is over the age of 40 and has yet to do this.

You have to, it takes no time at all and doesn’t hurt. Erin told me between her and colleague, they perform approx. 40 mammograms per day.  

Early detection saves lives, and that’s the point. Erin also told me that if they call and need to see me, to not be afraid, this happens a lot when it’s your first time because they don’t have any other images to compare your first ones to.  

So to all the people I love, and those I don’t know, please get yours done.

Show up, take a deep breath, and know that you are doing something brave and important for you.