Getting nervous!

Hi Helen,
Thanks for sharing your anxiety thoughts. I struggle with anxiety too - worrying about everything. I like your comment - 'You don't have to believe everything you think.' I'm working on it - especially living in the present moment - but it's a struggle. My doctor wanted me to get a chest/rib x-ray because I often get sore ribs. I mentioned before that I had a female doctor I loved for over 30 years and she handpicked her replacement - a male - who I am getting to know. Interesting - several issues I've been dealing with for years off and on - abdominal pain and rib inflammation - he wants to get to the bottom of it. He said he focuses on 'quality of life' and just 'putting up with it' is not good enough. I am thankful for this approach - touched, actually. Anyhow - in terms of anxiety - I went for an x-ray and I'm totally stressed. She said she took extra pictures and of course I interpreted that as that she saw 'something wrong'. Sheesh. As I walked out, I looked over and saw an x-ray on her screen and thought, "That's mine and it looks bad." So anxiety took hold and ran with it. Later that day, my doctor emailed me to tell my pap smear and x-rays were all normal. So kind of him but wow - all that worrying I did. And he asked me to come in at some point to discuss my 'rib' problem so we can come up with a plan. So anxiety is definitely something I need to work on. Thanks for sharing your own story, Helen - it helps a lot.

Awwwww... Helen, you are so sweet to keep me in mind. Thanks for asking. I am so nervous and scared yet glad to have this day drawing closer. I don't even know if he's doing a biopsy that day or if it is a meet and greet sort of thing. I'm going to prepare by taking Advil just in case he tries in his office. This will make it 3 months since I was told I need a biopsy. I know my doctor attempted one at the 5 week mark, but waiting 3 months is so darn long. I try to be positive and not think of it but it literally hangs over my head every single day. And I find it hard talking about it. I'm super close to my sister but every time I mention cancer she tells me not to be negative. Another close friend says the same. I am not a negative person at all but my reality is - that it could be cancer. I'm being realistic about it all. But I am scared, that's for sure. Thanks for listening.

@suesam I sure understand why you are nervous. You are having this biopsy to rule out cancer and I do hope the biopsy results are negative. Talking about your fears to your sister and your close friend must be difficult when they kind of argue with you about your reality. It could be cancer but of course you hope it is not. You are doing everything possible to take care and advocate for yourself in a medical system that has had many delays. That's so difficult because waiting is really hard.

I've learned over the years that some people want to talk me out of my feelings such as "oh, don't worry". Well, I do worry so how about asking me what specifically worries me? The very best and most loving thing we can do for one another is to listen.

So this is me listening.

@suesam I sure understand why you are nervous. You are having this biopsy to rule out cancer and I do hope the biopsy results are negative. Talking about your fears to your sister and your close friend must be difficult when they kind of argue with you about your reality. It could be cancer but of course you hope it is not. You are doing everything possible to take care and advocate for yourself in a medical system that has had many delays. That's so difficult because waiting is really hard.

I've learned over the years that some people want to talk me out of my feelings such as "oh, don't worry". Well, I do worry so how about asking me what specifically worries me? The very best and most loving thing we can do for one another is to listen.

So this is me listening.

I think the irony of the situation is that our friends and family need us to project positivity and being strong to make them feel better, but sometimes all we need is somebody to whom
we can just admit how scared we really are. It can be exhausting.

I think the irony of the situation is that our friends and family need us to project positivity and being strong to make them feel better, but sometimes all we need is somebody to whom
we can just admit how scared we really are. It can be exhausting.

@digbb You wrote what I was thinking but I wasn't certain how to say it.

I am very grateful to have found this forum where we can support each other, and are able to be honest about our physical and emotional struggles that go along with a cancer (or potentially cancer) diagnosis. We need community.