Deep diving into panic mode!

Hey everyone, 

I'm 24 years old (female) and have recently graduated university. At the end of summer last year I noticed a strange lump just above my collarbone on the right hand side. Initially I assumed it was a swollen lymph node, until it didn't go away for over a month, and seemed to be slowly increasing a bit in size. So of course, I made an appointment with the GP, and it's been the most anxiety inducing few months possible! The GP didn't really say much except that he wanted to refer me for an urgent ultrasound. The radiologist in the ultrasound didn't say much but said he thought I should get and MRI scan. I had a GP give me a ring just before Christmas to tell me to try not to worry too much (impossible for me lol) and he said loads of stuff in doctor language that flew straight over my head. I then had an appointment with an ENT specialist at the hospital who examined me, my ultrasound, and also put that camera thingy up my nose (really can't remember the name). He then referred me to have my MRI, which I am still awaiting results for. I had a letter the other day which was a copy of my report from the specialist to my GP, which said another load of doctor language stuff and also said I'm on the 2WW pathway. This freaked me out as nobody had actually mentioned cancer to me yet (other than when the ENT guy said it 'could' be benign:// cheers mate) and I thought maybe I was just overthinking it all. But now it's honestly spiralled me into panic mode and all I can think about is my health or if I'm going to die. I feel so out of the loop with any indication as to what is actually happening to me. I know I shouldn't but I can't stop googling things and imagining the absolute worse. My biggest fear is dying so I think this is playing a part in my anxiety, but all I want now is some answers. Why is the waiting around so bloody awful? I can't concentrate on anything and I keep having panic attacks. I don't know what I'm expecting from posting this but I just felt the need to rant it all out to people who may have been in my position!! 
 

it's honestly exhausting, any slight pain I now get anywhere on my body I assume is another sign of the cancer spreading. How did people cope with the waiting around? 
 

kay

  • I think the best thing to do is try and distract yourself , yes this is easier to say than to actually do because the waiting  is the worst part of it , the maybes, the what ifs .

     

    Good luck 

  • Wow!! I'm so pleased that I have read your post.. makes me feel like I'm not the only one feeling like this.. my blood test for prostate cancer was high so my GP sent me to a specialist  2week wait (two weeks can feel like forever sometimes).he said he needs me to have an MRI so that's next Tuesday.then I will have to wait for the result again. after that, I will probably end up, waiting for a biopsy. (another two weeks)+ plus waiting for a result from that. 
    people to tell me not to worry about what may happen as it may not.. I feel like my life has been put on hold, and I'm like a rabbit in the headlights.. I think we just have to try to stay positive as possible and hope for the best. You are in my prayers darling, take care of yourself.. there are plenty of groups out there who can help with emotional support and even technical support.. did you try McMillan?


  • exactly, when I'm at work I don't think too much about it as I'm always busy and rushing around. But the second I have a minute to think, that's all I'm thinking about. And obviously I can't stay busy every second! 
     

    I'm really hoping I hear something this week. 
     

    thank you!

  • Thank you for your reply! It's relieving to hear someone in a similar position feeling the same way! I am sorry to hear you're having a hard time also, but yes that is exactly how I feel. Like I won't be able to continue properly with my life until I get some answers! Of course I know it's not the attitude that is going to help but I'd rather know now so I can deal with it asap. 
    Good luck to you also, I hope you don't have to wait around too much and the results are all good! And no I've only just started posting on here after reading some posts in the past- but maybe I'll have a look! 
     

    thank you again, keep me updated!

     

    kay 

  • Unfortunately no we can't keep busy 24/7  it's a shame tho cause that would solve our problems :wink:

    I know all about the waiting game and i count myself lucky as the longest ive had to wait for results (so far) was 6 weeks and although they do say "no news is good news" and it is in a lot of cases it wasn't good news for me .

     

    Keep us posted ️