United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I went in for a mammogram on Friday. I told the tech that my right arm was partly paralyzed. Her answer was --it doesn't look paralyzed. You have to put it up here so I can do your test. I showed her how high I could raise my arm and told her if she helped me get the arm up I may be able to hold on to keep it up there. She took my arm and started yanking it and pulling to try to get it up on the armrest. I told her she was hurting me --that she couldn't stretch my arm beyond it's endurance and if she went slowly, it may get up there--also that there was no guarantee that it would stay once she positioned it and she ignored me and kept pulling. She siged and said -I GUESS that will have to do--make sure you keep it where I put it--my arm started to slip--I was in pain and she told me-" You really need to keep that arm still. It was a horrible experience--when it was over she very snottily said-I don't know how accurate this is going to be be cuase you wouldn't let me position your "PARALYZED" (smirk) arm
I am going to report her. after 2 days my arm is sore and painful and I will never get a mammogram again--there has to be a CT scan or something else I can have.
Has anyone else had an experience like this?
Pat

Pat,

I'm so sorry that you had such a terrible experience. I've never had anything like that happen to me. Usually, the technician understands that I'm doing the best I can, and accommodates what I can, or cannot, do. I always figured that they probably have seen women who couldn't even do what I could do, so they knew how to accommodate us.

Joanie

I am so sorry you went through this. She had no right to treat you that way. My tech's have always been very nice and understanding.

You are a much better woman than I am. I would have thrown a tantrum right there in the office. I would not have left without talking to her boss. You should certainly report her.

This is horrible. File a complaint with her office immediately! Then please, please, please find another office that will work with you to have a better experience when you get mammograms. They are ABSOLUTELY vital to detecting possible tumors and catching them before it's too late. Please don't let this bad experience scar you so badly that you take a serious health risk.

Dear Pat,
That is truly aweful! Put it in writing to the parent Co. including this web site for their further education of their technicans... & go to another Breast Clinic...surely there are several to choose from in your area, but do not stop having Mamos!

HUGS,
Carolyn J

Pat
This is HORRIBLE!
It's bad enough and hard enough to get woman to go for their Mammogram's but this is just beyond words.

I would contact the owner/head of the department.
Make an appointment and go in face to face and see that person in charge. As a disabled person you are not supposed to be discriminated against in any way.

Please put your complaints in writing and do not allow them to get away with this. You should probably have another Mammogram since she said she did not think it was clear.

Who does that person think she is? How dare she treat anyone like that?

I know of one obpi who cannot hold her arm up and they duck tape it up.

I have always been treated with understanding.
UGH.... UGH....

Kath robpi/adult