Online mammogram?

MarcieB

I just received a reminder for my upcoming mammogram appointment, but it says *online.* Online? A mammogram? (because that's NOT happening). Has anyone heard of this? I am to have a followup exam, immediately following the mammogram by my PA and it does not say online. My last doctor exam was done on the phone, which is less than Ideal, but it was in April. I figured this would all be over by now. So, I was wrong. But, an online mammogram? I mean...it almost makes me laugh!

Bengal

I had a televisit with my oncologist back in April. I asked her how she intended to do the manual exam? Made her laugh. She said we'll skip it this time. Anyway "online" mammography "! That's gotta be an error. Maybe some day in the future but hadn't heard of the technology to do that yet. I think I'd be giving them a call.

MarcieB

I have a medical portal direct to my team so I can ask questions, change my appointments, renew prescriptions through that channel. That is where this notice for an online mammogram showed up. I did send a question in, asking for clarification, but I haven't heard back from them yet. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this? I'm thinking it is an error too. I thought they were doing mammograms at hospitals? Just maybe needing to wait longer so the equipment can be wiped down?

Bengal

I just had my mammogram on Monday. At the hospital. Call from the parking lot. Last time I had a test had to wait in the car until they call you in. This time they said come on in and go to waiting room. Every other chair roped off.

Carool

Must be a typo. I had my mammo, ultrasound, and breast MRI at the breast cancer center (had the MRI because I’d felt a lump and nothing showed on my other tests; it turned out to be normal breast tissue). There was no temperature check going in, only questions at Reception. I was discomforted by this lack of protection, but we all had to wear masks, and there were few patients in the waiting room.

MarcieB

Carool, thank you for responding. I was wondering how it went for you, I remember you said you were scheduled for a mammogram in June. I just heard from my doctor, and apparently, the word *online* refers to the fact that I will have my results the same day. She said, "Sorry for the confusion." Lol! In this time when almost ALL meetings are Zoom, and other doctor appointments are done via phone, why would they include the word *online* to indicate same day results? Is it my chemo brain, or does that seem a little silly to you? My previous mammogram, done last year, also gave me same day results, but did not include the word *online* when I was sent the reminder (I checked). Crazy times.

Carool

MarcieB, thank you! I postponed the mammo and ultrasound until July 13. The MRI was on July 20. Subways were fine except for the occasional selfish passenger not wearing a mask or not covering nose as well as mouth.

Very misleading, as you know, to write “online mammogram.” How’d anyone know what that meant?

Good luck with your mammo.

CrazyHarry

Basically you take your iPhone/Android and your spouse or friends. Connect to the site and squish your boobie between them.

I just did the Tele-visit colonoscopy with my iPhone. Only downside is you don’t get the good meds. They send you the thing to shove up your ...

Carool

CrazyHarry - Hahaha!

PaulineJ

Carool It's not being selfish .It's obeying their Lord and Saviour.He gave us the Breath Of Life.We need to breathe through the nose and mouth.He's still King and in control,no matter what the world is doing in getting in the NWO

omaalyce

Hi Marcie, I have had several hilarious calls from my surgeon's clinic - and it's a part of one of Tampa's major hospitals. In his case he just sends the notice to the call center where he works and they assume it's a video call. My first call was about an appointment to take my stitches out after my port removal. I called and asked the lady I spoke to if I was going to learn how to remove them myself - appointment changed after we had a good laugh. The next one was to see him about a breast lump, again I was reminded about my teleconference call - called and told the lady it would be hard for my doctor to feel it through the screen, again appointment changed. I think policies have changed because they did not say that for my biopsy or the stitch removal. I made sure I told the office about the calls and I believe they notified the call center to check.

The biopsy went well, it was a benign mass in the breast where I was diagnosed and I have a mammogram scheduled for the end of the month. At the x-ray facility I use they have 3 lines out side the door. One for patients without appointments, one for patients with appointments and one for other issues i.e. picking up a cd of your films. There is a table immediately inside where you fill out Covid paperwork and have your temp taken before you proceed inside to wait for your procedure. All the while practicing social distancing.

Thank you CrazyHarry for the hilarious response. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Molly72

Bad boy Harry!!!!
That's exactly how some of us feel about those wacky telly video visits, and Zoomy meetings.
I hope your colonoscopy wasn't toooooo painful. Did you have your virtual pre-op with a gallon
of green Gatorade laced with Miralax?

Carool

Molly72, if it’s virtual, he can drink stuff that tastes great, not the noxious brew you mentioned! How about vanilla milkshakes?

Molly72

Carool-- I don't think that milkshakes would have the same result that Gatorade & Miralax would have. That's what I had to have for my last colonoscope pre-op.(but it was real, not virtual) Every time I now walk past Gatorade in the grocery, I shudder!

Carool

Molly72, I know! But since it’s only an imaginary colonoscopy....

LiveWithCancer

Oh boy! An online mammogram should be interesting (if it weren't impossible)!!!

legaljen1969

I can definitely see how "online mammogram" would send up red flags and raise questions. Glad you got it clarified, Marcie.

Dltmoll

My 3D tomosynthesis mammograms at the University of Michigan are listed under my appointment schedule as "Breast Imaging Screening Mammogram - Online" Not sure whether the "online" refers to the fact that it's 3D or that the report is available to my doctor immediately via my computer file, but it's been listed that way for me for a few years now. Must just be their jargon.

MarcieB

I think it is obvious that I am easily influenced. (!) Some might say naive. Some might say....dumb. and I guess I have to agree with all assessments in this case. Like I said above, in this time of crazy restrictions and online everything, I jumped to conclusions. For the record, I never thought, for one minute, there was any way to do a mammogram without the equipment. I just thought they were going to substitute an online meeting in place of the physical test. And if that were the case I was prepared to say, "No thank you, I will wait." Because my last Dr, appointment, via phone went like this:
Dr. - How are you?
Me - I'm doing good.
Dr. - Any problems?
Me - Not really. A little pain in my feet at night from the neuropathy.
Dr. - That's normal.
Me - The medication makes me feel stiff in the mornings, but it works out quickly.
Dr. - Normal
Me. - Sometimes I get some aches on my left side where the surgery happened...
Dr. - Normal
Crickets
Dr.- Anything else?
Me - No, I think I am doing fine.
Dr. - Great! Byeeeeee!

See? I just didn't see the point in doing that again.

Molly72

That's simply a joke MarcieB-- & not too funny.
I sure hope you were not charged-- if you were, send Dr. some Monopoly money!

MarcieB

You are right, Molly. As a Dr. appointment it was more like a joke. Maybe if I were experiencing some real problems it would have been helpful? We also spent a few minutes talking about a vacation spot in North Carolina which we both visited often (we had established that on previous visits). And no, I was not charged for that. I just don't see the point of doing it again unless I were concerned about something.

legaljen1969

@Marcie, I don't think anyone thinks you are naive or easily influenced. I think almost all of us wondered what the heck it meant. It almost does sound like they have some sort of way to do it "online" without equipment, but we all know that's impossible. LOL
Anyhow, I have found some of these virtual appointments to be a little unproductive as well. Quite honestly, I have found the virtual appointments to be very unproductive, but at least they are offering the option for those who may feel more comfortable with such.
When I do see the people that require my oncologist's "in person" meetings, I am just as happy to stay away and not expose them to anything I may have unwittingly acquired from the general public. I am not saying that's an excuse for some of the doctor's being a little short in those appointments. I think they don't "read" us as well via teleconference and I think some patient's, myself included, feel a little awkward in the online format. I don't like Zoom, Facetime or any of the other platforms right now. I always feel like I look like Shrek. Why I don't look like that when I look in the mirror every morning, I don't know.
I am hoping things will get back to "in person" meetings soon. There really is a lot more that can be said and done in person.

legaljen1969

@Pauline, I truly admire your deep faith. I respect that you have a very deep belief in your position on mask wearing. However, I do not believe that wearing a mask is disobedient to God's plan in any way. I believe we need to do whatever we can to stop the spread of this virus. If that means people should wear masks, so be it.

mofields

I had my mammogram in June at my breast surgeon's location. No problems at all. They took my temp, asked a few questions, and I wore my mask.