Hi all

If we just didn't have to go into the Tunnel of Waiting, I think we'd all be better off. But until they can do all the screening and biopsies and run it under the microscope all in the same day, we're stuck with this hellish period of time between 'highly suspicious' and what it really is.

I remember kicking the wall during my Tunnel of Waiting, until I realized it was MY wall. I remember being so sad that I could barely navigate. What I can tell you is that, for most of us, that is just a temporary phase. Once you know what you have to deal with (or not), things improve immediately. I think humans don't cope well with uncertainty but rise to the challenge once there is something to do. As someone told me then, 'you will be happy again' and it's true.

Yes, anti-anxiety meds can be very helpful. At our first meeting, my MO offered me an antidepressant. I didn't need it until I started Aromasin, but once I asked for it, it was a done deal. I was 46 when I found my lump; it's no fun whenever you find it. If it's any comfort, since breast cancer is a common diagnosis, most medical centers operate from the same protocols and recommend similar regimens. But, if you feel like a regimen doesn't suit your particular case, be sure to ask for a second opinion.