Mammogram recall anxiety

Hi, didn't know such a group existed till I received my recall letter. My anxiety and worst case scenario have gone through the roof, to the point I had to take the afternoon off work. Couldn't concentrate. My appointment is next Tuesday, so the wait isn't too long. Anyway, hello all - I'm 54, 2 teenagers and one husband who has had a very weepy wife today. Apologies for my wallow. 

Parents
  • Hi JayLou10,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I can empathise with your situation. I was recalled after a routine mammogram too and I was in a terrible state, waiting for my follow-up appointment. After all of the stress and worry, the second mammogram was clear. Was this your first mammogram, or have you had one previously? There are more recalls after the first one than any other. This is because there are no previous images to compare with. Don't worry about being weepy - it goes along with the territory! Besides, shedding those tears, is a good stress reliever and that is something that you'll need at this stage. 

    Unfortunately, our over active imaginations don't help and take us to all sorts of dark places. Fortunately, the reality is seldom as bad as we imagine. I am glad to see that you don't have long to wait for your appointment. Try to steer clear of consulting "Dr Google" in the meantime. Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This won't give you any reassurance or answers and will only serve to scare you further.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank you for your kind words. This is my second mammogram. My mind has done all Dr Googles work with out the googling! I will let you know how I get on xx

  • Hi JayLou,

    You may find that even with your second mammogram, there is not that much to compare with. The longer you have had your mammograms for, the more images there are for comparison. The other possibility is that the image isn't as clear as it could be and the want to get a clearer one. Even if there is a tumour present, not all lumps are sinister. Only 20% turn out to be cancerous. The other 80% are benign cysts, Fibroadenoma, or due to naturally lumpy breasts.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • I was recalled after a routine mammogram. They have taken 5 biopsies and I have an appointment next week for the results. I’m 65 so I’m pessimistic.

    Along with google I find it hard to imagine less bleak outcomes

  • Hi Pollythecat,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    I am sorry to hear that you too, have been recalled following your mammogram. We usually advise people to steer clear of Google until they have a diagnosis, as some of the outlooks are very bleak and only serve to scare us further.

    I am glad to see that your results are due next week and I hope that nothing untoward is found. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank you I try to be philosophical and know it is better to know but I always go straight to the worst outcome, u

    you help me to be a little less pessimistic 

  • Most of us go straight to the worst case scenario. Fortunately, this seldom turns out to be the case. Try to remind yourself that no amount of worry will change the outcome.

    Keeping everything crossed for you!

    Regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply Children
  • Bad time my fears weren’t far off the situation now it seems to be scans then more reviews for more decisions 

    jill

  • Hi Jill,

    I am so sorry to hear this. Did your biopsy identify the type and stage of breast cancer you have, or are you still waiting to find out? Here's hoping that you don't have too long to wait before you get your scans. How are you coping with the diagnosis? It can be difficult to come to terms with this. Just take things one day at a time, or even hour by hour if need be.

    Jolamine xx

  • They have some of the results but both breasts are involved -one oestrogen responsive. The DNA results aren’t all done.

    it all feels out of control .i would love the CT scan to be ok then I can have surgery but luck doesn’t seem to be on my side

    jill

  • Hi Jill,

    It is all so frustrating at this stage. Our lives always seem to be out of control and in the hands of the medics. You will eventually get answers and can then move on to treatment, but it is important that you get the right diagnosis from the outset - hence the delay just now. Surely your luck has to change at some point? - let's hope that your CT will be the turning point!

    Keep in touch.

    Jolamine xx

  • Gosh I found out today it will be another week for my CTscan so the clinic appointment that day will have to be postponed for another week. I suppose I sound very entitled to be so impatient . However looking at it another way it’s 2 weeks of no more bad news. I can get on with mundane life stuff MOTs , cat check ups, order deliveries as I can be in not in a clinic!

    Thank goodness for trash tv I think I will abandon all pretence of a healthy diet. I really can’t think of a healthy way of coping

    jill 

  • Hi Jill,

    I am so sorry to hear this, but you're right to put the best spin you can on it - and it does mean no more bad news for these 2 weeks. It also gives you some time to get ahead on some of the more mundane everyday tasks. I can appreciate the difficulty you're having in trying to stick to a healthy diet at present, but just a word of warning. I did not overeat, but I still put on 6 stone, while I was on Hormone therapy. It took me some time to lose the weight and I have only lost 5 stone so far. I have been battling with the last stone for a few years now.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank you for your advice Jolamine. After my 2 weeks “off” I have my CT scan tomorrow first thing. It’s difficult to manage all the tension I feel as if the radiographers are going to scream because my scan is so bad. I suppose I just need to take deep breaths and find some bravery from somewhere

  • You have to get your head in a good place, I had breast cancer 3 years ago now it's back but the last time the cancer was detained non spreadable this time its spreadable her2 which spreads more rapidly, my op was on the 13th but theyve put it back until the 12 of march as I had a virus and was on antibiotics, but I have everything in my control I got everything sorted my freezers and cupboards and fridge is full I have my son coming to look after my dog and stay a few days I've bought my beanie hats and baseball cap for when I have chem, it's best to make lists of things you need to buy, things you need to ask the nurses or surgeons as when the time comes to ask things you'll forget, if you have them written down youll be more in control, keep a journal of your journey this help you realise yes it's bad but look how much better I'm getting, get organized dont sit around waiting do the things you like most, to hell with healthy eating eat what you want do what you want until you no for sure what's going to happen then get your head ready and be strong be in control 

  • You are brave honey your a strong independent woman you've got this once tomorrow is over then it's just waiting for your results which wont take long to come back, you can do this I no you can keep busy, get out of the house go for a walk ride a bike if you have one stay busy do something that makes the time go by fast,. Before you no it you'll be given your results, remember right every thing down on paper that you want to ask the surgeon even if you can ask the words out loud the nurse will read them out for you best of luck love let me no how you get on