How do I keep myself calm waiting on results?
Waiting to get my biopsy done how do I keep myself calm? I had mammogram and ultrasound just over week ago findings are a lobulated soft tissue mass with stellate margins bi rad cat 5. Yesterday I saw the general surgeon and he will do the biopsy next week on the 22nd. The first Dr I went to over a month ago did breast exam and didn't feel any swollen lymph nodes. The Dr yesterday didn't feel any swollen lymph nodes either. I hope that is a good sign. The Bi Rad 5 is around 90 to 95% that it is cancer and I am having a hard time relaxing thinking about it . How did any of you handle the stress when you were waiting ?
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I walked, watched Netflix...and got a prescription for Ativan (which I used maybe twice but it was good to know it was there). I would also say don't research too much. I bought the Mayo Breast Cancer book that was perfect for an overview.
I asked for a referral to a psychiatrist because the anxiety is real.
She gave ne a script for Ativan. VERY helpful. I use it before appointments so I can listen and ask questions effectively, and any time I think I might lose it.
I'm waiting for my Oncotype DX result right now. I know the oncologist has it, but he hasn't shared the results, or the report with me yet. I have an appointment with him in 5 days. I don't want to wait that long. I just took an Ativan.
Overall, I've used 10 .5mg pills in about 10 weeks.
I've learned that it's a bad idea to have a biopsy later in the work week than a Wednesday; or too close to the start of a 3-day weekend or national holiday.
Yea I know I will have to wait for answers til after the holidays but this was the fastest i could get in. Hopefully I will be busy with holiday stuff and take my mind off of it a bit.
I dealt with it by staying positive and keeping myself busy. I did my second mammogram and ultrasound one day and I got an appointment the next day to do my biopsy. Got the results the following Wednesday. Scheduled my surgery for lumpectomy 2 weeks after I got the results. It’s been a crazy 3 months for me. Staying positive and still working has helped me keep my mind busy. I started my radiation treatment on Monday. I’m doing 23 sessions of radiation. Today will be my 5th day. My doctor took out the lump and 3 lymph nodes. I hope this helps you a little.
Keep busy!! Helping others helps as well. I am a quilter so I make quilts for charities. I know nights are the worst. I take 10 mg melatonin every night and have a sleep routine which is calming, plus prayer which is not for a miracle but for strength to get through whatever is going on. Blessings
BTW, I finally pointed out in a MyChart message that the oncologist was required by the Cures Act to provide me with the report upon receipt. I got in within an hour. The report date was more than a week earlier. My score was extremely low (yay!). I can't fathom how the oncologist thought nothing of keeping me in suspense about whether or not I would need chemo for 2 weeks. Sadist? Cruel? I don't know. I do know I will be getting a new oncologist.
I recently learned that my doctor had my report for a 1 1/2 weeks before my appt and never called me. I won't be waiting for my next one. I will be on the phone to get things moving.
There are music apps with different frequencies, e. g. 432 Hz for Sleep, Healing, Depression and Anxiety. Also, found some hypnosis on YouTube for relaxation and sleep. Also, I started exercising on my recumbent bike and resistance and just get moving helps the mind and soul.
A good comedy, laughter, people and not talking about it helps me.