What then followed were without question some of the
worst weeks of life. I couldn't
concentrate at work and took some time off sick with 'anxiety'. I just wanted to find out as much as I can to try and make contingency plans for work (can you tell I'm a project manager?). This need to find out details is one of my coping mechanisms and I personally find it very helpful (there are those who say I shouldn't read up on things and I strongly disagree with them). Knowledge gives me a sense of control - even if it is an illusion 
I spent three days researching about different types of benign and malignant lumps and made myself a mindmap covering all sorts of issues including treatment options.
(detail of mindmap is not shown here so as not to contravene the MacMillan site usage policies)
In hindsight it's a really good thing I did all the research at the time because once I got the positive diagnosis I was in no condition to research anything!
