Can't shut my mind off

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Mamags
Mamags Member Posts: 22
edited December 2019 in Waiting for Test Results

I found out I have the BRCA 2 mutation in September. The recommendation is prophylactic mastectomy and oopherectomy or screenings. I decided to start with screenings for now. I had my first pelvic ultrasound screening in October. Everything came back clear. I had my first MRI screening a little over 2 weeks ago, and it came back with various findings. I had an ultrasound last week which confirmed some of the findings, but not all were seen. My radiologist is recommending MRI guided biopsy's on 4 areas. 2 on each breast. I'm not scheduled for these until December 30th. The waiting is so hard. I can't focus. I am having trouble sleeping and eating. I have been having strange symptoms for almost 8 months now. Lightheadedness, weight loss, my hair is falling out, general feeling of just not feeling well or feeling like myself. I am terrified BC is the reason for all of these other symptoms. I have been to my PCP several times for all of this and they keep telling me it's anxiety/stress. (I lost my mom almost 3 years ago suddenly and unexpectedly and my dad has had some health issues since and is currently living with us.) I have been reading through this site trying to piece it all together, but the truth of the matter is, I will not have an answer until, well, I have one. The only thing I can do is wait and try to be patient. Regardless if it is BC or not, my outcome will eventually be the same, bilateral mastectomy.

Thanks for reading if you have gotten this far, I think I just needed to vent. Words of encouragement and prayers are also appreciated. You ladies and gentlemen all rock BTW.


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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited December 2019

    You've had a tough three years for sure. Would it be helpful to act as though all the symptoms you mentioned are in fact from stress and address that? Because even if it's not caused by stress, it's clear you are stressed (if that makes sense). So maybe take steps to handle the stress and anxiety.

    Because here's the thing, if you do have breast cancer, that too will be stressful. So getting ahead of your stress and anxiety can only help.

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  • Mamags
    Mamags Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2019

    That is a very good point, edj3. I have known my stress and anxiety is something I need to address. I was on an anxiety medication that didn't seem to help. I have another medication I can take that I think I need to try again. When I initially started it, the side effects were bothersome, but I know that after a week or two they will subside. But what I really need to do is make talk therapy or counseling a priority. With all of the other appointments between myself and my family and working full time, that is something I keep putting on the back burner.

    Thank you for your insight. It really helped me and gave me something else to think about and focus on.

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  • 1redgirl
    1redgirl Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2019

    Well, maybe this will help. My PT was 25 I believe when diagnosed with BC. Like you, she had gene testing done and was positive for BRCA gene as well. She of course had both breasts removed and had chemo and hormone treatment. She also had reconstruction surgeries. A few years ago she had much of that reconstruction redone. So she has been through a lot. However, she looks great today. It has been many years and her life has been full. She has gone on to help so many women. i know she helped me

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited December 2019

    Mamags, all this is good advice and I just want to add that not everything that shows up on diagnostics is breast cancer. It could very well be something like fibroadenomas.

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