Mom doing well but I'm a mess

danlias

Hello, My mom was diagnosed at stage III and started treatment in September 2012 and so far she has been doing very well.  She was 75 when diagnosed.  I'm 41 and recently have been thinking and worrying a lot about breast cancer in general.  Everytime I have a pain in my breast or just feel a little off, I start checking myself constantly and then I start looking up symptoms online (I know, not the smartest thing to do) and the next thing I know I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack, wanting to call the doctor to schedule a biopsy!  I even went to the gyno a couple months ago, she rechecked my last mammogram and gave me an exam and said there is nothing there.  I'm not due for my next mammogram until August and I want to go now so bad!  I know I need to talk to someone but I need to know...is there anybody else out there that can't let it go?  I feel like I'm talking myself into symptoms that aren't there.  How do you get past the fear?  I would appreciate any advice, thank you. -Billie

Alive4Five

danlias, bless your heart...(((hug!)))  I can understand your fears...completely. My own biological mother was diagnosed at age 49, and gone by 50. But that was back in '94. Thank God we have come a Long way in the way BC is treated!

Never the less, the fears of it all would overwhelm me too. I am now older than she was, but I was diagnosed at 51...ugh, around the same age, so my fears were somewhat founded, ya know? And I am in No Way implying your concerns are not! Definately keep up with checking yourself, and go for your mammo's as scheduled. And do tell your Dr. your ongoing fears...

But you pretty much nailed it with the 'not going online' for symptoms, and the like. I know it's hard, but it is only feeding your fear. 

Take some deep breaths when you start to feel the anxiety. ( I know, easier said than done... ) and go into a room w/o a computer, or go outside, or make a phone call to a friend, or take a walk...etc... you get the idea, lol...

Gosh I feel your worry, and all I could do was 're-route' my thinking, and my actions 'away' from those things that can trigger it.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers... come back as needed here, for encouragement!  ((hugs!))

danlias

Thank you so much for listening and offering your support!  I thought I was over the worst of the worrying but it popped back up and has been getting the better of me. 

Just knowing that I'm not the only one who has had to deal with these fears has meant a lot to me and I'm so glad you replied.

You're in my thoughts and prayers! ((Hugs!)) Health and happin