Chest wall

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited April 2021 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
Chest wall
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  • Magnolia-mom
    Magnolia-mom Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2021

    I found a series of lumps on my chest wall. My oncologist is sending me for an u/s. I’m getting myself worked up with fear of recurrence. Still need to schedule u/s. The fear is overwhelming me

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited March 2021

    One part of the anxiety is knowing you have to schedule the US. If you schedule the US that piece of the anxiety will go away. Things that help me:

    1. I repeat to myself thoughts are not facts.

    2. I repeat to myself that the US is just a video of what is actually going on in my body, it doesn't change anything.

    3.I also write to myself something like, look at all the hard work you put in during your initial diagnosis! You owe it to yourself to get medical tests as needed so that work isn't undone by neglect. This scan is the best way to keep you healthy. If, there were to be something, this is the time to nip it in the bud.

    Make the call and get that US scheduled and then come back and tell us it is scheduled. Then I will reiterate how awesome you are for taking the best care of your body! And then you should do something nice for yourself. (then repeat for the US) One big plus is that and US should mean that they would tell you on the spot if it's something totally benign.

    You can do it! You're awesome!

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    Hi Magnolia-mom! Sorry you have all this going on and I hear your worry!!! I think whatayear had some great suggestions... I think grounding in facts can help anticipatory anxiety even if one continues worrying too. The steps whatayear mentioned are ways to help you focus on what you can do while dealing and waiting on those things you cannot. Please schedule that u/s and let us know....

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  • Magnolia-mom
    Magnolia-mom Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2021

    thank you so much.

    I am in the waiting room for my u/s right now.

    Anxiety kicks my butt- it was a tearful ride here.

    I will report back

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  • Magnolia-mom
    Magnolia-mom Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2021

    Fat necrosis with6 month follow up is the verdict.

    Thank you so much ladies

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  • Annabelle2
    Annabelle2 Member Posts: 44
    edited March 2021

    Hi Magnolia,

    Just wanted to say first of all I'm glad you got good news! Our diagnosis & treatments are almost the exact same dates. I still struggle almost daily with fear of reoccurrence with every. single. thing. It was only yesterday that a routine CBC sent me into a tailspin, but for the first time I was able to talk myself back from the ledge, literally wrote down the other possibilities, looked at some previous history, and am (mostly!) approaching this logically. I will go for another CBC in a couple weeks to reassure myself, and make a note to discuss with my MO at my next appointment.

    Hang in there! I used to read people say this gets "easier" with the passage of time and I didn't believe them. But I'm starting to think maybe they were right.

    Whatayear, I'm going to add your advice to my "Tool Kit Notebook" I'll be starting tomorrow. :)

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  • Magnolia-mom
    Magnolia-mom Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2021

    thanks Annabelle. I hear you- every single thing for me too. The roller coaster ups and downs are thankfully further apart, but I seem to keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    I appreciate being able to come here and hear from people who know what this is.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited March 2021

    Magnolia-Mom! Oh my gosh I am so happy to see you got in and got that US already! That is awesome! You are amazing! Do nice things for yourself tomorrow! What a wonderful relief!

    Annabelle- yes same - so many things trigger me. It's Cancer PTSD

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  • Annabelle2
    Annabelle2 Member Posts: 44
    edited March 2021

    Regarding waiting for the other shoe to drop, here's how I've tried to explain it to a couple people:

    Stage IIIC is like standing with one foot over the edge of the cliff (rocks, ocean below) and one foot on the cliff. You can't move backwards on to the cliff, and you can't move forwards or you'll fall over the edge. And while you're standing there teetering on the edge of the cliff, you can't move or breathe or say anything because it upsets the people that are standing safely back away from the edge of the cliff.

    Regarding PTSD - I've told my husband I think I have it a number of times, and finally got some validation when I discovered the podcast below. Not sure why I didn't see it for the last 3 years, but at least now I know I'm not alone, I can try to find the right therapist and finally get some relevant help?

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/102/topic...

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    Congrats Magnolia-mom!! Sooooo happy for you!!!

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  • Nutfarmer
    Nutfarmer Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2021

    Magnolia-mom,

    Happy you had the ultrasound and that you received a good report. Good job hope you rewarded yourself. I usually buy a new blouse or new shoes. You should see my closet! Lots of rewards but we deserve it!

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