Waiting time for surgery is scary

I know what you mean about just wanting this out of your body! I was able to have my surgery a week after my diagnosis (had already had my mammos, US and MRI). I was already going to fitness classes (strength training and mat Pilates) so I kept them up. Only skipped two weeks after my lumpectomy. I truly believe they made me stronger and helped me heal quickly and then get through my rads relatively easily.

Best of luck to you, Aussie, as you go through this dreadful waiting period. It's such a relief to look back on it all!

MJ

Hi Aussie- I completely know how you feel as I was DX 8/3/17 and did consults and tests. The last test was the MRI which showed something on my other breast so now I have to do an MRI guided biopsy for that. I just want to schedule the surgery as the waiting is excruciating. My thoughts are with you during this time

Hi Aussie- my MRI is scheduled for Thurs. then hopefully finalize the surgery. Your right about the sleeping I seem to be better during the day when I am busy. Just keep thinking it will be here before you know it. Hugs

Aussie I agree, the hardest part of this whole thing for me (so far) has been the waiting and how these appointments and tests, (and anticipating these appointments and tests) takes over your life.

Try-lady7 I'm in the same boat as you. Had surgery all set up, but the MRI found another lump In other breast. I had my MRI guided biopsy last Monday and get results this Monday. I read somewhere that many MRI-detected masses are benign, but it's scary to have something show up in both breasts. I half think that they are going to open me up in surgery and find nothing but cancer and that there is nothing I can do about it. I'm feeling defeated and powerless - thank you beach and tapper mom for your words about taking back control of what you can - like eating well, working out and getting strong. Have not been doing that and what you said made lots of sense.

Would like to hear how everyones biopsies and tests go- Thursday for TryLady 7 and September 1 for Aussie. Gooduck to everybody

Hi Aussie, Bosombuddy, RedMoon and Tri-Lady, I was fortunate, if you can call it that, in that I already knew I had metastatic cancer because it showed up in a blood test. It didn't say where the mets were, which was scary. I had primary tumours in both breasts and I had a good idea of what the left tumour was like because the lump showed up suddenly and distorted the breast so I knew the mets wouldn't have come from that one, which meant the results from the right one were not going to be nice. I knew while I was watching the screen during the ultrasound there was a very large mass on the right side and a smallish tumour on the left and that bilateral mastectomy was going to be my first line treatment. I was fortunate that I saw the BS a week later and he scheduled me for operation the following week so I didn't have long to wait. After the operation I had a bone scan and we found that I have extensive mets to the bones, which explained the pain I had in my back and ribs. I'm taking a very optimistic approach because the cancer is highly treatable, as is most breast cancer.

My approach was to allow myself to shed all the tears I needed to during that waiting period but to prepare myself mentally to be strong and clinical about the operation when the time came. Once I was admitted to hospital I was determined to stare the cancer down and be in charge of myself. I wasn't going to let cancer decide my attitude. I would do that! As I was wheeled into the operating theatre I kept up the clinical approach because I knew that if I lost control it would make it more difficult for the anaesthetist to do his job AND make it harder on myself and that approach did work. The nurses and anaesthetist were wonderful and made it easier for me by quickly getting me onto the table so that I didn't have time to become nervous. I hope this compassionate approach to this operation is universal.

I really, REALLY hope this is helpful to you and doesn't scare you. There are so many options when it comes to treatment now, with many more in the research pipeline. The way I see it is, what is there is there and you can't do anything about it now. You've done your bit by being investigated and now it's time to prepare yourself physically and mentally for an uneventful, smooth recovery period.

Bosombuddy, like you I didn't smoke or drink, I ate mostly organic food, I exercised every day. I was known for being health conscious yet it happened. I also opted not to have reconstruction in order to give my body the best opportunity to recover and ten months later I have absolutely no regrets at all. I'll be with you in spirit on Thursday....promise if you need to talk to someone I'm here for you.

Sorry this is so long! I wish I could be more economical with words! Good luck to all of you having investigations this week. I'll be thinking of you. Hope I haven't left anyone out

Hi Ruthfromberkshires- hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I had the same thing MRI saw something on other side so getting a MRI-guided biopsy on Thurs. Glad to hear yours was nothing. Praying the same for myself!

Hi Aussie- so glad your moving forward. Hoping you find out your date soon! I had my MRI biopsy on Thurs. and will get results next Weds. Then hopefully my surgery date. Wow this has been a long process for me. I can't wait to have it scheduled as well! Good luck to you