Anxiety...(Recap of Lost Posts, Topic Created by wolfera on Dec 31, 2018)

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This recap includes posts that were lost during CSN's data outage from 10/29/18 to 1/30/19.

wolfera

Dec 31, 2018 - 7:07 am

I’ve been experiencing breast pain so my GYN oncologist is sending me for a diagnostic mammogram (scheduled for this morning).  I’ve never had a mammogram before and certainly not one that is diagnostic. I’ve had anxiety for the last week about this. I’ve read that breast pain is rarely the first sign of breast cancer, but given my age and no genetic abnormalities neither was endometrial cancer. Does this ever get easier? Does the anxiety over scans and testing go away?

 

Kathy G.

Dec 31, 2018 - 8:26 am

Good morning Wolfera!

Good morning Wolfera!

Sorry you are going thru this anxiety and prayers everything is clear.

In answer to your question I am sure you have heard the expression 'our new normal' on these boards. Every new ache and pain brings some level of nervousness about what it could be...if it is our cancer reoccurring.

I am 5+ years out and still get anxious about random backaches, headaches and every single preventative test I have to have such as my yearly mammogram or a colonoscopy. I get anxious weeks in advance and I am 61 years old.

I do try to tell myself I have survived cancer, another truly life threatening condition last year and an assortment of other illnesses so I will be strong enough to handle any test and result. It doesn't always help, but I get thru it.

So will you!

Hugs!

 

Kathy

 

Donna Faye

Dec 31, 2018 - 9:51 am

One day at a time

Dear Wolfera, we are told that phrase all the time - one day... and it is true. I have been a survivor of 3 cancer scares: 1997, 2017, 2018 - chemo, radiation, etc. all 3 times. I accepted some 25 years ago that I could not control the future, but I could live every day as if it were my last. I can only tell you from my 78 years of experience, cancer woke me up to LIVING. This morning I am typing facing the Atlantic Ocean after 4 days on the Outer Banks of NC with my daughter and 2 grandsons. We saw the wild horses yesterday- on my bucket list for years - we have laughed and loved and shared memories that will last long after I am gone. Yes, we all wonder about that pain - that twitch - but learn to say - so what. Our chances are so much better than they were 25 years ago but I beat a stage 3 w/ lots of lymph nodes involved. Hang tough like the Spanish mustangs I saw yesterday - surviving after being thrown overboard in 1500 so the Spanish ship could lighten its load to float off the sandbar. We swim against the tide, we kick and work and hope - and we survive. You, too, will be able to face whatever and still enjoy the good times. Pulling for you.

a very old mustang...

 

oldbeauty

Dec 31, 2018 - 2:52 pm

Just have to say...

This is a truly inspiring comment.  Thank you, Donna Faye. 

Best wishes to you Wolfera as you proceed through the diagnostic mammogram.  Be prepared for them to be hyper-alert to every little thing they see.  You are a cancer patient, and they will be extra thorough.  Be prepared if they suggest a further exam by ultrasound.  I went through this in the middle of chemo for recurrent EC, and, to top it off, an image-guided needle biopsy of one breast.  All to end up with a blunt radiology report:  benign calcifications.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty

 

zsazsa1

Jan 01, 2019 - 3:16 pm

Pain is not usually an

Pain is not usually an indication of breast cancer, but more likely of a cyst.  I've had a history of cystic breast tenderness in the past, and it recurred with chemo, probably because I've liberalized my salt intake, because I am nauseated, and salted food is more palatable to me now.

Don't worry, it's probably not cancer.  They may also think that an ultrasound would be appropriate, too, if there are cysts.

 

wolfera

Jan 02, 2019 - 10:15 pm

Thank you all for the kind

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement. Everything came back all clear - thankfully. I had a total breakdown in the dressing room after I received the news, but I imagine they are used to that...

 

barnyardgal

Jan 03, 2019 - 7:36 am

A few years ago, after I had

A few years ago, after I had a regular mammogram, they called me in for a diagnostic mammogram as well as an ultrasound. All was clear, but they scheduled 3 more every 6 months to make sure. The Dr came out and explained that due to my dense breasts and the lack of previous mammogram pictures(previous Dr issues) they wanted to make sure. 

 

Armywife

Jan 05, 2019 - 5:58 pm

Whew

So glad to hear there was no cause for alarm.  Just want to assure you that we are ALL familiar with "scanxiety" and I think Kathy and  Donna Faye's attitude is ideal - I love it!  I wish I had the energy to live that way more often.  It's amazingly easy to "forget" what I've been through and go back to my old lazy habits as if I have unlimited time....

 

janaes

Jan 05, 2019 - 9:33 pm

Wolfera, im so glad all was

Wolfera, im so glad all was clear. We do all get that scanxiety. I was asked to do a mamagram at the begining of all my treatments for uterine cancer. Doctor wanted to be cautious and have me do that. I was 42 and never had one before.  Mine worked out too. All clear.

 

wolfera

Jan 08, 2019 - 4:50 pm

Yes, so grateful for the “all

Yes, so grateful for the “all clear” result. And so grateful for all the support!