Worried sick
Hello all, I wrote on this site a few weeks ago. It all started with two small dents at the top of my breast. I went to the doctor she scheduled me an appointment for an ultrasound. She said I was to young for a mammogram. Now I’m noticing a few more symptoms. My left breast with the dent is swollen hard. On top of that I have been having underarm/ neck pain on the left side. I also have hard knots under my arm. When I push down on my underarm I can feel them. I have them on both sides but it’s more prominent on my left side.All of these symptoms keep pointing back to one thing, cancer. I’m sick with worry I cry all day and night just feeling sorry for myself. I’m at the point where I don’t wanna go to my ultrasound appointment. I’m terrified of hearing that I have cancer.
Comments
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Hi!
I'm sorry that you are so stressed out! No, no one wants to hear that they have cancer. Nevertheless, going to your ultrasound appointment is an important step in finding out what's going on with your breast. Please don't self-diagnose; there are a number of benign breast conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
If you are crying day and night, you may want to ask your doctor for some anti-anxiety drugs like Ativan or for a referral to a counselor. Yes, the fear of knowing can be paralyzing, but you probably want to function as best you can. If getting help can help you function better, then I would advise you to seek it.
((Hugs))
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Hi JanWeb.
By far, the hardest part is when you're floating in the realm of the unknown. Your brain can be fickle and take you down some very dark and scary paths.
It's important to go to your ultrasound and to find out what is going on. While it's easy to assume the worst, the truth is you don't know until the doctor tells you.
I suffer with depression and anxiety (have my whole life). Focus on your breathing and try to stay in this moment. Not the past or the future. Try meditation. There are many great free guided meditations available on YouTube (Jason Stephenson and Michael Sealy for example) that you can use when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Reach out to family and friends. Spend time with them and take your focus away from worst case scenarios.
Plus you have us on this board. Reach out whenever you need to.
Stay strong. ❤️
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Hi,
Not knowing is the worst of it and the mind wanders to all sorts of worst case scenarios. However, going to the ultrasound appointment is crucial in knowing whats going on. Is there someone that could go with you to the appointment, maybe drive you there. I had someone with me at all my tests and appointments and it really helped.
Hang in there...
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Thank you all for your encouraging words. I just finished ultrasound and I don’t know what to think. There was over 28 pictures taken of my left breast. The lady performing the ultrasound said she had to get the radiologist. A few minutes later she came back in and said the radiologist didn’t see anything but some skin changes. She said she’ll send over the results to my doctor. More waiting... I don’t know how much more I can take
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JanWeb, I'm gonna state the obvious. Almost all of us have been where you are. Cancer doesn't care if you're freaking out. If it turns out that's what you have, you've got a tremendous support system right here. And I'll repeat the best advice I got here: You don't have to be brave. You just have to show up.
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