Clean mammogram today - when does the anxiety get better?

TraciInLA
TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm happy to report that I've just returned from my 2nd mammogram since finishing treatment 9 months ago (the 1st was 3 months out, now every 6 months) -- the tech came back into the room after the radiologist reviewed my films, and gave me two thumbs up and a big hug!

I'm so happy and grateful, and feel like a huge weight has again been lifted off of me. I have a question, though, for those of you who are a few years out: When does the pre-appointment "scanxiety" get better?

I've been nervous and snappy with everyone and preoccupied with "what-ifs" since I made the appointment last week. I thought I could go alone this time, but couldn't stop crying this morning, so my girlfriend thankfully went with me.

WHEN does this get easier?

Traci
«1

Comments

  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    30 years from now when you
    30 years from now when you get your new super-duper, high tech, "Star Trek" like scan, you will probably still cry. Live long and dance with NED.

    CONGRATS!!!!

    Bob
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Congratulations!!
    Traci, that is GREAT news!! I am so happy for YOU. I can't comment on when it gets better because I'm not there yet. But, that won't stop me from congratulating you.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Yay! Big congrats! When
    Yay! Big congrats! When does it get better...hmmmm. I have been 23 years now and, although I no longer get mammograms (no boobs), I do get a tad anxious when I have a PET scan, bone scan, have a new symptom, etc.

    It has gotten better though, truly. It is more in the back of my mind now. I keep saying that we are just like Pavlov's dogs and those tests are now our shocks, but instead of drooling we freak...lol.
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991

    Yay! Big congrats! When
    Yay! Big congrats! When does it get better...hmmmm. I have been 23 years now and, although I no longer get mammograms (no boobs), I do get a tad anxious when I have a PET scan, bone scan, have a new symptom, etc.

    It has gotten better though, truly. It is more in the back of my mind now. I keep saying that we are just like Pavlov's dogs and those tests are now our shocks, but instead of drooling we freak...lol.

    Congrats! I doubt the
    Congrats! I doubt the anxiety ever goes away for us, but, I think it will get better with time, better, not gone. I think even the women that haven't gone thru bc get anxious and are scared. Why shouldn't we all be? Cancer is scary.

    Celebrate your good news!


    Hugs, Angie
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    Same here........
    Traci........I had my second yesterday.....the anxiety level was awful.......I could hardly sleep all this past week........My sister in law is 21 years out........she still gets nervous and anxious! For me, I doubt I will EVER breeze in there to have one! Mine checked out fine, too..........

    Continued good health......
    Nancy
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    MAJW said:

    Same here........
    Traci........I had my second yesterday.....the anxiety level was awful.......I could hardly sleep all this past week........My sister in law is 21 years out........she still gets nervous and anxious! For me, I doubt I will EVER breeze in there to have one! Mine checked out fine, too..........

    Continued good health......
    Nancy

    Heartfelt Congratulations to you Both!
    Traci & Nancy - YAY! for your "clean" mammos!

    As one who is 7+ years out from diagnosis (so, have had several mammos since)... Although we're all different... I'll say - yes, for BC survivors, the anxiety level is much more intense than for all other women. Which is why the best breast care centers/radiology departments provide immediate results for us, instead of making us wait for a much later phone call/letter to arrive.

    For me, personally - last year was surprisingly much more difficult than the previous few. Don't have a clue as to why. This year, although anxious - for sure, was much easier. I just take it one year at a time.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member

    Heartfelt Congratulations to you Both!
    Traci & Nancy - YAY! for your "clean" mammos!

    As one who is 7+ years out from diagnosis (so, have had several mammos since)... Although we're all different... I'll say - yes, for BC survivors, the anxiety level is much more intense than for all other women. Which is why the best breast care centers/radiology departments provide immediate results for us, instead of making us wait for a much later phone call/letter to arrive.

    For me, personally - last year was surprisingly much more difficult than the previous few. Don't have a clue as to why. This year, although anxious - for sure, was much easier. I just take it one year at a time.

    Kind regards, Susan

    So Happy to Hear Your Great News, Traci!
    Hurray for you!!! I'm due for my first mammo/us and MRI in December--not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to the fantastic news of "ALL CLEAR!" I don't imagine it will ever get easier, but we warriors will keep on keeping on.

    Hugs, Renee
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    First and foremost, hooray
    First and foremost, hooray for good scans and dance on with NED. As for the anxiety, I think that is as varied as we are. I very honestly don't get nervous about any of my checkups. Maybe long ago with the uterine I did but I don't think so. I am not sure why. I do try to live by my motto, Don't borrow trouble and don't let worry about tomorrow rob you of today, but there are times I wonder why don't I worry. I guess for me, it's that I can't change it if the news is bad and if it isn't then I wasted that time being anxious. I know this is way easier said than done and I think how we react before our checkups is just how it is. I don't think we are just decide not to worry anymore than I could just decide to worry. And there is one thing about the worry and anxiety, when you find out it is good and everything is okay you have a great sense of relief and well being. Not that I am not relieved but since I go in expecting it to be good I am just content that it was. So maybe you will eventually stop be so nervous and maybe not, but it doesn't really matter as long as the results are good and the relief is there. If in 20 years you are still taking your girlfriend with you for support that's okay. And those that love you will understand the snapping and tension that precedes these tests. For some, it is just the reminder that they had cancer and not the tests themselves.
    But again, the bestest part of this news is NED is in the house and Traci is dancing a jig, a waltz, a tango, the bunny hop. Who cares what dance, just that you are dancing?
    Stef
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    Congratulations
    First of all... CONGRATULATIONS on getting a clear mammogram! That is fantastic news! About whether waiting for test results gets any easier, I don't know if it ever does. It something we Survivors have to learn how to manage, easier said than done. I am glad your girlfriend was able to go with you.

    I had my mammogram this past June. My mammo happen to land on the my first Survivorship Anniversary( June 1st). I thought maybe it wasn't a good idea to have the mammo on the same day I was diagnosed. Luckily, the readings were GREAT! Thank God.

    Take care. Hope all is going ok with the unpacking. For all I know, you might be done with that chore.
    BL
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    Anxiety!
    I'm 10 years since Dx and I have to say, I'm more anxious ! I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop. I know this is ridiculous but I can't help it. I don't sit around all year worrying but I do start getting anxious shortly before and the day of the mammo, I'm a mess. Hopefully, you won't have this happen to you. Congratulations on your clear mammo! HUGS!!! Cathy
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    cruf said:

    Anxiety!
    I'm 10 years since Dx and I have to say, I'm more anxious ! I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop. I know this is ridiculous but I can't help it. I don't sit around all year worrying but I do start getting anxious shortly before and the day of the mammo, I'm a mess. Hopefully, you won't have this happen to you. Congratulations on your clear mammo! HUGS!!! Cathy

    This is not my first
    This is not my first diagnosis, so I am in the same boat as CC. (no boobs)when I did have boob, the anxiety never went away. In fact it got worse. However, I learned how to manage it, what I needed to get through. I planned for it. I think a good idea is to plan a nice day with a friend, make it event, a girl's day. Having someone with you is important. I just learned to tell myself, it ws going to yucky for a few days. just part of it all. The thing that does get better is the in between, where you can recover from those anxiety provoking times, more readily.
    Congratualtions on your great mammo, we joined at the same time, it scares me because I thought you had joined way before me, makes me realize how out of it I was then. anyway once agin, TRaci yay yay glad you have someone like Trace in your corner(along with us)
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    Congratulations, Traci!
    And, Good Grief! I've been wondering the same thing! My canserversary is Thursday and I have my mammo Friday. Holding my breath. Even though I was clear in April, I feel like the Boogieman is in the closet waiting to catch me unaware.

    But I am so very happy for you! Exhale and celebrate!

    Hugs to you,

    Sue
  • lafera12
    lafera12 Member Posts: 63
    sbmly53 said:

    Congratulations, Traci!
    And, Good Grief! I've been wondering the same thing! My canserversary is Thursday and I have my mammo Friday. Holding my breath. Even though I was clear in April, I feel like the Boogieman is in the closet waiting to catch me unaware.

    But I am so very happy for you! Exhale and celebrate!

    Hugs to you,

    Sue

    Congrats--good for you
    Congrats on a clean mammo.
    I think we'll always get nervous when we have to have our
    mommograms, petscans, ct scans, or whatever other kinds of tests
    we have to have. I know I do...

    But enjoy yourself...
    Angie
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Hugs , Hugs and more
    Hugs , Hugs and more hugs---no matter how much we stress, a clean mammo is what we want to hear!!! Now forgive yourself for being cranky and have some yummy ice cream.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    natly15 said:

    Hugs , Hugs and more
    Hugs , Hugs and more hugs---no matter how much we stress, a clean mammo is what we want to hear!!! Now forgive yourself for being cranky and have some yummy ice cream.

    With hot fudge? I'm in!

    With hot fudge? I'm in!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    With hot fudge? I'm in!

    With hot fudge? I'm in!

    The hot fudge .. caught my eye and interest .. Wait .. What
    Traci in LA has had her 2nd mamo - and she received a thumbs up ? Way to go, Traci! Congratulations to you and your family > .. You deserve this good news and much more.


    Hap Hap Happy Dance ...


    Vicki Sam
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    Traaci, congrats on your
    Traaci, congrats on your clean mammo!!! Thats great! As for the anxiety, I wish I could say it will go away right away, but foe me it will be 5 years in April and I still struggle with anxiety and fear.

    It does get a bit better as the years go by, but I think that mammos will always bring back memories. Hang in there, it will get better.
  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    I Think It Gets MUCH Better
    when you reach that magical 2 year mark! Not that it will ever go completely away. But it does lesson and get easier the further out you get. I'm 9 years out and still get a wee anxious before my scans. Though it's NOTHING like it use to be.

    Just be glad it's over and celebrate...ya know...with a pint of Ben & Jerry's! LOL.

    Congrats!!

    Best,

    Sally
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    sal314 said:

    I Think It Gets MUCH Better
    when you reach that magical 2 year mark! Not that it will ever go completely away. But it does lesson and get easier the further out you get. I'm 9 years out and still get a wee anxious before my scans. Though it's NOTHING like it use to be.

    Just be glad it's over and celebrate...ya know...with a pint of Ben & Jerry's! LOL.

    Congrats!!

    Best,

    Sally

    AWESOMEEEEEE
    THAT IS TOTALLY AWESOMEEE
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    That's great news!!
    It's not easy having to have tests and "waiting" for the results. I can only share what I've done and it really does help me so much. If I didn't do this, I'd totally be a basket case.

    I have my favorite promises from God. Especially those on fear. And girl, I just think about them every single time fear tries to creep in. I had scheduled a sonogram last week for this past Monday and during those 5 days of "waiting" I just did that. I really enjoyed my weekend. I believe He's faithful in His word. Try it next time. The thoughts I reflect are: "You are my hiding place" "You are my Shelter", "You command your angels to go before us in protection" are just a few.

    And at night, when fear or worry can take over, I think of "I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe"

    Hugs to ya!!

    Sylvia