St. Jude Breast Center

They told me to come early for check in, but after I waited 25 minutes, they told me that my appointment was in fact two hours earlier. I told them that there was no way I would book an appointment in the middle of the afternoon, because obviously I would be at work.
I expected them to say, we will try to squeeze you in. But instead what they told me was that they were already behind because two machines were down, and there was nothing that they could do except re-​book me for another day.
I’m very unhappy that I was inconvenienced because of their mistake, and that they didn’t do anything to rectify it.

I’m very young and went in with a prescription for a mammogram. Once I got there, they said that because of my age, they would be doing an ultrasound instead. That’s fine.
The older woman that helped me did nothing but insult me and my doctor throughout the whole thing. It took all of my self control not to yell at her. First she tells me that my problem is just hormonal and that I should go to an obgyn for this issue. Then she starts questioning the tests my doctor ran asking why she did this and why I don’t have the results of some others memorized. I was nervous about this whole experience to begin with and I’m getting the third degree!
The ultrasound starts and she’s asking about what birth control I use. I told her I had been using the nuvaring for a couple years now and that it had really helped control my periods because I used to have them for weeks with extreme symptoms. My periods had stopped completely about a year prior which wasn’t unusual for the nuvaring. She said, «Back in my day, we would take a pill and have our periods every four weeks.» And went on and on about how our bodies need periods every couple weeks. I explained to her very defensively that I had been on multiple pills before nuvaring but none had been much help in controlling my periods without uncomfortable side effects. She then put me through the third degree about why I hadn’t tried this kind of pill or why I was even going to my doctor. She noticed a scar on my left breast and asked who did the biopsy. When I told her my doctor had done it, she stopped the ultrasound altogether and looked at me saying, «Don’t ever let her do that again! Is she a dermatologist? Is she a breast surgeon? No! So don’t let her cut into you like that.» Seriously, the scar was from a small biopsy on a little bump I had. It turned out benign and was most likely just a cyst.
After all of this, I was pretty ticked. I was coming in for an issue I’d never had before and one that my mom had been concerned about when I told her and something my doctor had obviously referred me to this place to in order to figure it out!!!
She found a couple small cysts and one large one and asked if I had felt the large one before. I said no and she replied with, «And that tells me you don’t check yourself enough.» Holy crap woman! Give me a break! I’m 24 and recently had a coworker diagnosed with breast cancer. When I suddenly had some VERY weird symptoms, I went to my doctor who referred me to a specialist.
This woman was downright insulting and rude. I don’t know if she just thought I was young and dumb but her attitude towards me and insults are intolerable for any medical practice. I hope I never have to see her again!

Smiling and cheerful people at the front desk, always a plus. One of them took me to the area to change my clothes and showed me the locker to put my belongings in. A very sweet and gentle woman named Laurie called my name within 3 minutes, asked me a few questions and the procedure began. Laurie was very kind and gentle which I greatly appreciated. It was over quickly and I was back in my clothes and on my way home. Highly recommend St. Jude Breast Center where everyone seems to genuinely care about your comfort. Thanks ladies, you were all wonderful

Look, who really looks forward to a mammogram, huh?
I’ve been to the Breast Center in St. Jude for regular check-​ups 3 times in my life and every time I have felt at ease and comfortable during the entire visit. I’ve never had to wait in the front lobby for longer than maybe 5 – 10 minutes, however there is ample comfortable seating and a great view from the windows. The ladies at the front desk have always been pleasant and confidential, as well.
Once taken back to the changing area, there are nice large, floral dressing rooms plus lockers to keep your stuff. You put on the «adorable» ½ gown and feel a little vulnerable to the world, but this more private waiting area is also very comfortable and spacious so you don’t have to sit next to another gowned woman if you don’t want. Again, once changed, I’ve never had to wait more than 5 minutes here either.
Let’s face it, a mammogram is not the most natural position to be in nor is it all that pleasant, but the staff who perform the exam/​x-​rays have always been gentle and sensitive to the situation, they know you aren’t thrilled to have the ol’ cans crushed or the possibilities that may arise with test results.
The ladies on staff are at work, they are doing their job… I always make it a point to treat them like humans and in return that is how I am treated. It’s amazing how that works. On my last visit I actually had a great conversation about their Breast Cancer Awareness Month «decorated bra» project that they did, the tech even went in the back and got out a few others that weren’t on display yet to show me. I don’t think the staff get many compliments or thank yous, her eyes lit up and the whole staff was so thrilled that I noticed the awesomely displayed braziers they had put out. I made sure to take pix for Unilocal and Facebook. The tech even hugged me when I left… who knew that the boobs weren’t the only things going to get squeezed that day? Bonus!
When you park for the Breast Center, you drive around to a parking garage behind the building, pull a ticket and then find a spot, walk out and into the building lobby and up the elevator to the 2^nd floor. There you have your experience and then leave. The parking validation is free for the first ½ hour, I’ve never had to pay when visiting… except this last time when I took pix and had a hug-​fest, but even then it was only a buck. That’s how well they stick with their schedule and make sure that you have a pleasant experience in an atmosphere that can be unpleasant to think about.
I have a newfound appreciation for St. Jude Breast Center… I hope I never need them for anything other than a check-​up, but if I do at least I know that they have big smiles and kind hearts.
Thank you ladies! :o)
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Unilocal Check-​In Offer: Free Boob Squish with purchase!
(just kidding)
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I made an appt for mamogram & ultrasound after my doctor found a lump in breast and the last mamogram was «inconclusive». It took me a week & a half to get an appt. I was told when I made the appt to bring the film from the last mamogram, my dr’s prescription for the additional mamo and ultrasound and to show up 15 early.
I did as they asked and was even there 20 min early. My appt time was at 2:30pm. I was called back to the other waiting room where they pull you in for the mamo. Women came in after me, were called into the rooms and they came out and left. At 2:50, I thought they forgot about me so I went back out to the front desk. She came back and asked the techs what the issue was. She came out and told me they are waiting for the film to down load. I said it was just 8 pictures & it downloaded to my home computer in just a couple of seconds (I wanted to make sure they were on the disc before I came). Then she said they were having problems with their computer.
I waited another 5 min and they called me in. The tech was not mean, but not nice either — she actually acted like she was doing me the favor. She said I don’t now what you need, did you bring the report from the last mamo. I told her that the scheduler only asked for the film, not the report. In a huff, she snapped at me that she would have to go talk to the radiologist. She was gone 7 min when I got on my cell phone standing in the room where she left me. I called the scheduling desk and asked if I could reschedule my appt and told her I was there in the room, but there were problems, and I needed to leave in 45 min for my husband’s birthday surprise party. She sounded thoroughly disgusted with me so I told her that it was okay. I hung up and walked back out to the front desk. It was now 3:12 pm — 42 min after my appt time and over an hour after I first got there.
Not only was I stressed at the thought of dealing with possible cancer in my breast, or going through the pain of another mamogram, but I had to deal with the incentive employees at St Jude’s Breast Center. I was so shocked and upset I left in tears.