I'm scared

Rae1017
Rae1017 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Please help me. I am terrified. I had a lumpectomy and underwent radiation which ended in January of this year. I just had my first mammo and received a letter two weeks later saying I needed an ultrasound.

I have read your boards and I think it is fairly common, but how come I am so scared?

Rae
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Comments

  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #2
    normal to be scared
    But yes, that usually is the norm, the scar tissue from the lumpectomy makes shadows on the mammo, so they need more tests just to verify.
    Take a deep breath or two and ask for your ultrasound as soon as possible. that will help ease your mind.
    Let us know how it goes.
    Cat
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #3
    (((((HUGS)))))
    I would also like to add that it seems your Cancer Center is doing a GREAT job of taking care of you! Though it is most likely scar/shadow...your medical staff is better safe than sorry. And that is indeed a blessing!

    Keep us posted~ and know that you are not alone when you go for your untrasound; I hope there is plenty of room as you will be surrounded byall of us!

    Hugs and Courage to you!

    Claudia
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #4
    Rae....
    First of all, welcome. Second of all, this is pretty normal so I have already expected it to happen when I go for my first check up. And even though you have the knowledge this still may not help your fears. Hang in there....I think if they truely were concerned, you would have recieved a phone call to come back right away instead of a standard (basically form letter) sent to you 2 weeks later. Make sure you keep us informed!! :) Pammy
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #5
    I know that
    would scare any of us,but as one "poster" said on here already,since they didn't send the letter until 2 weeks had passed,hopefully that's a good sign!
    We will all be hoping that it is only scar tissue!
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #6
    outdoorgirl said:

    I know that
    would scare any of us,but as one "poster" said on here already,since they didn't send the letter until 2 weeks had passed,hopefully that's a good sign!
    We will all be hoping that it is only scar tissue!

    Rae.. first welcome to the
    Rae.. first welcome to the group glad you found us.. second, take a deep breath, make the appointment and go.. we will be here for you along the way. I just had a lumpectomy... still recovering... waiting to meet with my oncologist... I think anytime any of us feels something different, or learns that the doctors want to take a "better" look at something... we all get scared..how could we not after everything we have been through.. you are no different.. and we understand. Please let us know when your appointment is and what you find out.. in the mean time... we do scared..we do it all (meaning scared, lost, confused, tiered, lonely, happy, cheerful, honory, what ever the mood.. we are here for you!

    Hugs,

    ~T
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #7
    Hi Rae
    Yes, for some of us it is fairly common. I have been going through this for almost 6 yrs. I had a lumpectomy, chemo,rads and reconstruction. I have a lot of scar tissue and some calcifications. They have watched it closely to be sure that it is shrinking. (which it has) I still go every 6 mo for mamo. My surgeon said that scar tissue from a lumpectomy looked a lot like cancer on a mamo. I'm sure that they are just being cautious.Sounds like they are staying on top of things. Of course you are scared. Thats normal. I still get scared. Waiting is the worst part. Don't be afraid to ask your dr for xanax if you feel you need it. It sure helps with the anxiety.

    Hugs
    Jadie
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #8
    Warm welcome, Rae
    I'm an almost six year survivor. I still get very nervous around mammo time, in particular. (All other BC-related appointments, too. But, actual boob tests are the worst!) I'm not sure if it'll ever go away...

    And, I agree. Although your fear is completely understandable, try to take comfort in the fact that if someone (doctor of radiology, your onc, etc.) thought this was urgent - you probably would've received a phone call to make that appointment as soon as possible.

    Please don't delay. The sooner you go, the sooner it'll be over. Take care, and keep us posted. I'll be hoping for the best possible outcome.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • arbojenn
    arbojenn Member Posts: 118
    #9
    When?
    Rae,
    That scary feeling is so bad, isn't it? Unfortunately, I am afraid that scariness is going to rear its ugly head a lot. That is the "scar" bc leaves on your psyche. Chances are the ultrasound is to rule OUT recurrence. But that doesn't do anything to alleviate your fear, does it. I think writing about it to people who understand does help you deal, though. So please continue to express your thoughts. Those of us who are not so gifted in the expression of ideas department gain strength from those of you who do. Have you made an appointment for your ultrasound yet? Please keep us posted. I want to celebrate when you tell us everything was okay! (Don't let that scary feeling drown out your hope!)
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
    cats_toy said:

    normal to be scared
    But yes, that usually is the norm, the scar tissue from the lumpectomy makes shadows on the mammo, so they need more tests just to verify.
    Take a deep breath or two and ask for your ultrasound as soon as possible. that will help ease your mind.
    Let us know how it goes.
    Cat

    Rae, like the others said, I
    Rae, like the others said, I think it is normal to be scared. But, just go have some more tests and I will pray that everything will be fine for you. Good luck!
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #11
    It's okay
    Rae, it's okay to be scared. We all have been (still are) when it comes to tests. I don't think the fear ever goes away, but in time I would imagine that it lessens some. There will be years of tests and screenings and [during the past 3 and 1/2 yrs as a survivor] I've come to take them as part of my routine, as I do changing my socks (though the latter is not so scary). The comfort comes when you get the report that says that everything is normal and, "We'll see you in three months."

    Let us know how it turns out, and we will all whoop and holler when everything checks out okay :) Okay?

    dmc
  • jgridley
    jgridley Member Posts: 169
    #12
    Rae, it is fairly common. I
    Rae, it is fairly common. I was told to expect it to come back that way. The ultrasound will tell if it is just scar tissue or if the cancer came back. I understand your fear because of what we all have been dealing with. I will say a prayer for you tonight...

    Julie
  • Rae1017
    Rae1017 Member Posts: 6
    #13
    Thank you!
    Man, after all your comments, I felt like I could take a deep breath and relax a little. The letter came two weeks to the day. As soon as I get my appointment I will let you all know.

    Thanks so much for making me feel normal.

    Rae.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #14
    Rae1017 said:

    Thank you!
    Man, after all your comments, I felt like I could take a deep breath and relax a little. The letter came two weeks to the day. As soon as I get my appointment I will let you all know.

    Thanks so much for making me feel normal.

    Rae.

    Rae, I can understand that
    Rae, I can understand that you would be scared, we all would be, but, it is common. So, try to relax and get your appointment going. And, let us know!
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #15
    Rae1017 said:

    Thank you!
    Man, after all your comments, I felt like I could take a deep breath and relax a little. The letter came two weeks to the day. As soon as I get my appointment I will let you all know.

    Thanks so much for making me feel normal.

    Rae.

    Rae, it is certainly not
    Rae, it is certainly not uncommon to receive that letter. Just relax and breathe a little easier knowing that. Set your appointment and let us know!
  • aurora2009
    aurora2009 Member Posts: 544 Member
    #16
    Noel said:

    Rae, it is certainly not
    Rae, it is certainly not uncommon to receive that letter. Just relax and breathe a little easier knowing that. Set your appointment and let us know!

    Welcome and glad you're feeling better
    Sorry, I don't have any thing to add, I'm sure the other ladies here can help you more, as I have just started my journey.

    But I can say that I would me scared too. As others have told me, just take it one step at a time, make your appointment and keep your head up.

    And when you can let us know how you're doing, there's a great group of people here to support you. and we'll be here when ever you need us.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #17
    Rae1017 said:

    Thank you!
    Man, after all your comments, I felt like I could take a deep breath and relax a little. The letter came two weeks to the day. As soon as I get my appointment I will let you all know.

    Thanks so much for making me feel normal.

    Rae.

    Did you get an appt. yet
    Did you get an appt. yet Rae? Let us know how everything turns out. Praying for you!
  • Rae1017
    Rae1017 Member Posts: 6
    #18
    survivorbc09 said:

    Did you get an appt. yet
    Did you get an appt. yet Rae? Let us know how everything turns out. Praying for you!

    Appointment
    My oncologist appointment is today and my ultrasound is Monday. I will keep everyone informed. I appreciate all of you.
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #19
    Rae1017 said:

    Appointment
    My oncologist appointment is today and my ultrasound is Monday. I will keep everyone informed. I appreciate all of you.

    Rae
    Just want you to know I will be praying for good news for you. Let us know.
    hugs,
    jackie
  • Rae1017
    Rae1017 Member Posts: 6
    #20
    rjjj said:

    Rae
    Just want you to know I will be praying for good news for you. Let us know.
    hugs,
    jackie

    Update
    I had my ultrasound and felt really good about it. My onco told me tests he did were negative (good news) but last night my doctor called to tell me because of the scar tissue I should have an MRI as well. She is very optimistic and that made me feel better.

    So who has had an MRI? I know you will think this is silly, but are they going to have to give me any kind of shot or IV?? I am terrified of needles.

    Should I start a new thread?

    Rae
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #21
    Rae1017 said:

    Update
    I had my ultrasound and felt really good about it. My onco told me tests he did were negative (good news) but last night my doctor called to tell me because of the scar tissue I should have an MRI as well. She is very optimistic and that made me feel better.

    So who has had an MRI? I know you will think this is silly, but are they going to have to give me any kind of shot or IV?? I am terrified of needles.

    Should I start a new thread?

    Rae

    I had an MRI when they
    I had an MRI when they diagnosed me. They inject you with dye so things show up better. It's over quickly so try not to focus on that. I was scared of needles also and didn't even have anything when I had my kids. But this is different and is needed. Try to think of happy thoughts or places when they insert the needle. Try not to think about it. You can do it.

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