Preparing for the worst - do you do this?

YES, oh yes I do this. My family thinks it is being pessimistic, but I find it to be realistic. Getting news that the cancer is back will be devastating no matter what, but I feel if I prepare for the worst, I'm a step ahead of the emotions. And the worst that can happen is I'm wrong, and all is good. You aren't alone there.



I hope your biopsy comes back clear - 2-3 weeks seems very long! I waited 3 days for my skin biopsy on a rash...I would call and bug the doctor's office on that. No one should have to wait that long for results, especially in your situation!

I so belong in this club! My philosophy in life has always been, "Expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed." Kind of sad actually, but like mebmarj said, "Anything else is better." I find that being prepared for the worst is much better than being blindsided by bad news. 

I wish you benign results on your biopsy.

Mary 

"Prepare for the worst, expect the best, accept whatever you get" has always been my motto.  When I first found my lump I researched every possible outcome, including the worst.  When I found out it really was cancer I wasn't an emotional basket case which let me make quick and rational treatment decisions.  I find that works best for me.  If I went in with blinders on pretending everything was just fine I'd be unprepared for the news!

I think this is the kind of thing that is impossible to understand unless you've experienced it. That's why 'outsiders' don't get it.  But we do.

I do this myself and agree that it is a way of protecting our emotions. As long as you don't get carried away and obsess, it seems to me to be a healthy strategy. OF COURSE in the back of our minds we are all hoping for good test results. But having processed to some degree the idea of bad news coming back helps take a little of the sting/shock out of it if it does come back that way.

The best thing I've found is to stay busy, distracted and have your mind occupied with other things and let the time pass until the results are in.  Then whatever the outcome is, you can deal.  KNOWING is always better than being in the not-knowing/waiting period.

Best to you as you wait.....

Hi..I so agree with you all about being prepared for the worst celebrate if it turns out better.  When I was diagnosed with DCIS Grade 3, I did what everyone else seemed to do (which makes me feel "normal") and researched, researched and made up my own little folder.  I was starting to freak out about some blogs which emphasised the pain they were in after expanders had been put in so I was expecting the worst but have (so far THANK GOD!!) been relatively comfortable. I am at this moment writing this from my hospital bed and will be seeing my surgeon tomorrow when he will go over my Pathology report with me. Whats the saying "forewarned is forearmed"..So glad to have this forum to help me get thru the next 9 hours till I get the results. I had a dx with Sentinel Node Biopsy and Immediate reconstruction.  Thanks guys for being there at this time of night ...

I go up and down. I spend a few hours certain it's a relapse and planning for that, then I spend half  day thinking it's probably nothing and not worrying.  Then I go back to tension and nervousness, than I wonder how I could have wasted everybody's time thinking I could get it again.  I plan for surgery and chemo and then I realize that most people never have it recur.  

I had an easy time with everything - chemo, herceptin, etc.  I was very positive throughout.  There were parts I even enjoyed.  Post-cancer has been the most difficult because of my frozen shoulder and tamoxifen aches.  I have not had a healthy day in two years and that is beginning to get me down, and my mind starts to believe I am having a relapse.

I was sure my cancer had metasized to liver or ovaries due to the bloating and weight gain I have, but as soon as I had my CT (yesterday), I stopped thinking that way.  It's weird the way your mind works sometimes. 

Congratulations!

 In three hours, I'll have the news myself, good or bad.  Like you I am prepared for bad.  They found a spot on my liver that was not there five months ago.  I am symptomatic.  I think it's best to plan to hear bad news because then it might not be as shocking.  We all know this day might come.