Waiting for biopsy with clinical anxiety disorder

JJ8
JJ8 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2015 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi thank you to anyone reading this! About two weeks ago I had my first mammogram. I am 41 and have no family history of BC. The next morning my doctor called and said they see a small oval shaped mass on my right breast. He said an ultrasound was recommended and not to panic. I also have had clinical anxiety for years so worrying is part of my makeup. A week later I went for my ultrasound and felt something was wrong because after 20 minutes the tech said she was going to get a doctor because she had a question. After another 20 minute ultrasound the doctor said I have a nodule and I need a biopsy. I asked if it was something we could just keep an eye on and I got a resounding no. My US biopsy is scheduled for this Thursday morning. With my therapist's help I have been able to keep panic attacks at bay for the past 8 days but now that it's so close I'm a mess. I don't know how I'm going to make it through the days after waiting for the results.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited May 2015

    Hi JJB-

    I went through what you are going through in December. I have bipolar I with anxiety disorder. The worst time, even for those who don't suffer anxiety, is while you are waiting for various tests to be done, then waiting for the results. For us, it's even worse.

    All you can do is ask very nicely to all the schedulers you come across is to get the earliest possibly appointments, to keep waiting to a minimum.

    I'm glad you have a therapist who can help you sort your feelings out, and hopefully give you some tools to deal with anxiety. For me it was very helpful to put my concerns and fears in an imagined black box marked "to worry about later". I promised myself I could visit the box at certain times. But it was not permitted to sit with the box open in front if me all the time. I hope you get what I mean.

    Whatever is going on with your body right now us currently out ofyour hands. The only outcome you have control over is what you do and how you spend your time in the meantime, while waiting. Worrying will only waste your valuable time. Don't let cancer, or the worry that it may be cancer, steal even more time away from you.

    Do things you love to do. Distract yourself. Be in charge of yourself. Although you can see from my signature information that I unfortunately have bc, I am not letting it run my life. Or ruin my life.

    Best of luck to you. I'm sending a gentle hug your way.

    Katy

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  • JJ8
    JJ8 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2015

    Hi Katy, thanks so much for your kind words and support!Just reading what you wrote has calmed me down a lot and I'm going to try your worry box suggestion. I will be working hard to distract myself until I know for sure. Sending hugs back your way and wishes for much love, good health and happiness!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2015

    JJ8, we're thinking of you tomorrow!! Breathe!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    Remember - 80% of biopsies are benign. They are done to get an answer either way. But the vast majority are benign. IF they had thought it was critical on time - biopsy. Could have been done with then.

    I have a slightly different version of the Worry Box. Back when we still had Women's Retreats here for those dealing with/living with a PTSD person, one of the last things that was done at the end of the Retreat was we wrote down on a paper whatever was important for us to 'send away'. We would then put them in the Box and they were burned. The smoke carried away the negative. We no longer have the Retreats unfortunately but I do versions of it privately when I need to get rid of negative. Depending on what is availae to you, write down the negative thoughts you want to get rid of - burn them in a grill, put them in the toilet and flush, go to a creek and let it float them away - so many possibilities for getting rid of the negative thoughts. At least to me there is a difference between just 'thinking things to be gone' and writing them down and sending them away.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited May 2015

    Kicks- Excellent ideas! I may branch out a bit and do some burning and flushing myself!

    A girl can't have too many tricks!

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  • JJ8
    JJ8 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2015

    Thanks, Kicks! That's also a great idea. Thank you all so much for the encouragement. It really has helped me to hear from others.

    I'm going to try to get a good night's sleep, have the biopsy in the morning and then use these wonderful strategies you've both shared for the next few days while I wait. Much love to you all!
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  • Koo
    Koo Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2015

    Let us know how it goes, JJ8. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way!!!

    Jackbirdie and Kicks, what awesome advice! The advice you gave can apply to any area of life. I live with anxiety (from long-term PTSD) and reading what you both suggested has given me further things to add to my life toolkit. Thank you so much!

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  • JJ8
    JJ8 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2015

    Thanks, Koo! I made it through the biopsy okay now just more waiting. I made myself a worry box out of an empty tissue box and have put a few post its with negative thoughts and worries written on them. I'm going to burn them this weekend. I thought I'd combine all the ideas together. Thanks again!
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  • Koo
    Koo Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2015

    JJ8, that sounds an awesome idea (the tissue box). I think I will do something similar. Look forward to your update when you get your results.



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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited May 2015

    JJ8- so proud of you. For the biopsy and for getting ready to burn that which does not help, but instead hurts you.

    Attagirl!

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  • Fakeboobs123
    Fakeboobs123 Member Posts: 92
    edited June 2015

    JJ8 your post could have been written by me down to the conversation with the tech/radiologist..moral shaped nodule, needs biopsy, radiologist has no idea what it is... My results came back benign, I found reading this forum really helped me feel informed so I felt more ready to get my results

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  • JJ8
    JJ8 Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2015
    Just got the call that it's benign!! Thank you to all of you for the support. I can't express how much you all helped me through the scariest time of my life. I will keep you all in my thoughts as well and be sending wishes for good health for all of you and women everywhere. Xoxo.
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  • Koo
    Koo Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2015

    Great news, JJ8!!

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  • Lorbgoo
    Lorbgoo Member Posts: 213
    edited June 2015

    Congrats JJ. So happy for you!!!

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