Waiting for DCIS pathology results: Feeling alot of fear & anxiety

Hi @sue417, I expanded the title of your discussion to let others know you need some virtual hand holding and a sympathetic ear. You are being so patient and brave. This is such a long time to wait for results and waiting by far is the hardest part. You've made it this far. You can make it.

Anxiety thrives when focusing on the future and the unknown. Bringing yourself back to the present can help. This may seem like a silly exercise, but give it a try.

Take in your surroundings. What are 5 things you can:
See
Hear
Smell
Touch

The next thing I encourage you to do is to have pen and paper near by wherever you are. When your thoughts start whirling around in your head, write them down, especially all the questions and "what ifs" that you have. Then organize the questions logically for your upcoming appointment. This puts the worry into useful action. Then put it away and do something you enjoy.

Does any of this help? Or just hogwash? Either way, I'm here. I'm listenting. 🙂

Thank you, I am sure alot of people feel the same way. It feels like such a solitary thing to go thru. I tried to talk to my sister tonight. She just stays silent and says I don't know what to say. I get that, but that makes me more frustrated. It's not that you have to say something. It's just that you need to be. I understand I'm here. Those words would make a big difference.
I lost my best friend eight years ago to mesothelioma it's was horrid but I always supported her and listened and responded with love and understanding.

To be honest, I got a prescription for Klonopin (Or maybe Ativan, I forget) while waiting. I only took 1/4 maybe twice but it helped to have it available.

Hi
Yes I have ativan but usually just take it at bedtime if I need it. I guess I could take it in the day if needed.

I only took it at night 🙂 I watched a lot of Netflix during the day!

Do your breathing go get mani and pedi and realize you can do this. Breathing does help been there done this as sooo many of us have. You can do this

The waiting is as everyone else has or is going through this so tough. I don’t think people realise that from the date of the call back to biopsy to surgery to final pathology it’s only then you truly know what you are dealing with - my surgeon said this to me several times when I was diagnosed with extensive DCIS but I think it still didn’t sink until afterwards. I have gone on lexApro and find this to be great to help alleviate the aniexty - it’s a long journey and even with non invasive and one hit tablets are just not right for me - when it comes to others supporting it sounds like your sister is most likely afraid - she doesn’t know what to say and that’s ok. We all cope in different ways and it’s a terrifying journey especially if you have never known someone close to you that has cancer. The most important thing is you have done everything you can to get rid of the DCIS - whatever the final results know you will be ok - I’ll be sending my positive thoughts for non invasive results.

Thank you for your kind words

Walking helped me through. I remember feeling like I was about to have anxiety attack. After walking for about an hour, I felt better. Wish you all the best! Hugs.

Hi
Thank you, I do walk everyday. I have always exercised although with my compression fracture can't walk as long these days.