How to keep calm?

Rosa7

I'm 19 years old. I posted in here a little while ago about a lump I had found, and how I'd been brushed off by a doctor and the lovely people on here encouraged me to be my own advocate - as even though it's unlikely, peace of mind is everything.

So I went to a different doctor and he sent me for an ultrasound. They found two areas they wish to biopsy. Now I'm waiting a week for my biopsy and then waiting for results. I know that considering my age, it is most likely a cyst / benign condition.. but how do you stop yourself from thinking the worst?

614

Dear Rosa:

You should be so proud of yourself for advocating for yourself and for going for a second opinion.  Many people much older than you may not have the determination or courage to do what you did.  You should give yourself a pat on the back.  As you said, the area is most likely benign, but you will not know unless it is checked.  Without the ultrasound, you might have been worrying continuously because you knew that a lump was present.  I'm glad that the second doctor referred you for the US.

I'm sorry.  I cannot answer the question about how to stop yourself from thinking the worst.  I have a tendency to worry.  The correct answer would probably be to meditate, to spend time with friends and family, and to engage in activities that you enjoy so that you can take your mind off of the suspicious areas.  I do all of those things and they help.  That being said, I still worry.

Good luck with the biopsies and I will say prayers that they are benign.  Please let me know if you figure out how to stop catastrophizing.  For me, this website helps tremendously.

YourTripIsShort

what was the outcome Rosa?

Moderators

Dear YourTripIsShort, welcome to Breastcancer.org!

In case that Rosa doesn't read this post (she has not been active on the boards since July), you can also sent her a private message. Just click on her user name to go to her profile and there you'll see the button: "Send member a private message".

Good luck!

The Mods

Rosa7

Thank you for your kind words. My gp said that as I am young, he wants to wait to see if more changes come about first. My biopsy is scheduled for December 9th. Changes I have noticed in the wait is that the lump has gone very hard in half of it where it used to be completely squishy and movable. I have been assured this is a positive as this is a common sign of a cyst.