WPCNR'S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings. June 7, 2008: Given that we plan parties all the time, it’s rare when we see something completely new or totally out of the ordinary.  But today I learned you can make even the scariest events fun; I attended a Mammogram Party.  The idea sounded interesting to say the least, but it was proposed by my ObGyn, Dr. Claudia Holland (and a past client of our firm’s) and when it’s the woman who delivered your child, that’s an invitation that you don’t refuse. 

The Wedding Jeannie

Jeannie Uyanik

Wedding Planner to the World

WPCNR Columnista

Dr. Holland is a firm believer in early and frequent mammograms and because the idea conjures much stress and even more procrastination, she offered to help minimize the pain by having a few of us go together.  And from there the idea of the mammogram party was born. 

Three of us were invited and greeted with coffee and pastries.  Changing into our robes made it seem like more of a spa day than a necessary and lifesaving exam. The professional and very kind associates at the top notch facility where we had the mammograms, made the event a breeze.  While there are many great facilities throughout New York City and the tri-state area, our mammograms were completed at:

Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside

16 East 60^th Street

Suite 350

New York, NY 10022

To schedule an appointment, call: (212) 326-5552

http://www.cper60th.org/imaging/mammo.html

The results were produced in minutes for some of us, and we were all given clean bills of health within an hour.  We continued the party at a celebratory lunch. 

Should you not be so fortunate to have your physician insist on attending your exam, you can still be a trend-setter.  Plan a mammogram party.  Get a group of friends, family or associates together and make back to back appointments. 

 As I learned today from one of the attendees at our “party”, sometimes you have to have multiple exams in a day, if the first tests are not clear, and having backup there waiting for you in the reception area provides a feeling of comfort and a needed distraction.  There is no need to go it alone.  I certainly would not have been so eager or quick to get this done had I not had a big push and a lot of support. 

And once the mammograms are completed, have the real party start off premises and plan a girl’s brunch, lunch or cocktails to mark the momentous occasion and the steps to take better care of our health.  But most importantly, if you are required to have a follow-up, when you learn this, at least you are surrounded by people who care for you and will support you no matter what the outcome might be.