Biopsy Monday and in a constant state of panic

Sorry to hear that Esta, waiting is the worst.  Prepare your questions, they probably won’t know much until the results are back.  Once you know you can deal with them.  I tried not to think too far ahead, one step at a time, not easy though.   My experience was all NHS face to face last year.  Do you have access to a breast care nurse who you can call?  Or maybe the McMillan nurses this weekend?  

Waiting is definitely the worst part - when you know what you are dealing with you can start to process I think 

I was shocked when they said results would be via letter as did think it was back to face appointments now.

I did have a nurse last time round so thank you will try and contact her on Monday.

thankyou for quick response it’s so appreciated x

Hello there,

It seems like your body has gone into fight/flight mode with his situation - totally understandable. I was exactly the same when I first found lump and going through the waiting/diagnosis stage. Your system has been highjacked by fear and is responding with the overload of stress hormones - cortisol flooding your body. Basically its a trauma response - and so so normal.

Im wondering if you can find a way over the next few days to totally look after yourself with some self soothing activities to settle down the overloaded nervous system. I’m sure you know that over thinking and panicking will only fuel the already inflamed fire inside you.

You might find this link helpful? https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/anxiety-management-strategies

There are some great strategies for managing anxiety and stress and honestly, if you can give yourself over to them they really do work. Once the physiological sensations in your frightened body settle down, so will your mind and you will be able to think more clearly about the path ahead. I also have the CALM app downloaded on my phone and find these little nuggets of guided mediation really helpful (particularly like Jeff Warren on it).

Hopefully the  sun is out where you are? Some time outside always shifts perspective. You will still have this stuff to deal with - but going in with a more settled mind will help you get through this next stage. I am really learning that I cant change what is happening - only my response to it. Don’t get me wrong - I’m not brilliant at it all the time! But I have definitely got the balance better and feel more control with having some strategies up my sleeve.

I hope this is helpful and not preachy.

Jan x

Jan thank you so much - your first paragraph is totally relatable! 
the fear is just awful.

we had planned to go out for a long walk today but weather is awful here but will definitely look into your suggestions - thank you x

Go for that walk anyway - there will be something beautiful to see - even if it’s raindrops on daffodils!

Another nice little grounding strategy for when you are out is the 5-1 exercise - it helps connect with our senses - maybe all of you on the walk could do it?:

Name:

5 things you can see

4 thing you can touch

3 things you can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

Really take some time to notice what you choose - exercises like this can help prevent you spinning off into orbit! And if you do them with someone else they help to make connections for them to. I had a nice few moments doing this with my 27 year old son out walking when I felt wobbly.

x

Hello esta, yes the anxiety is the worst. Feel free to read my bio, I won’t repeat it all here. Try to focus on even the smallest positive things and busy yourself if you can. I found that helped. Y are strong even if you don’t feel it. Our experiences make us stronger. The anticipation is always worse than the actual event. Informing yourself could help too. I need to understand everything, ihelps me to feel in control. Write your questions down so that you don’t forget them.

Thanks so much for the message - went to Stratford and it was lovely (apart from guy trying to jump off Shakespeare theatre ) and saw and smelt the honeysuckle- was lovely 

Ian the kind of person who is better when I have facts so the waiting is torture for me I’m afraid 

hope you are doing well x

Second time around - Wow your diagnosis this time was so fast - now wish I lived in Spain ! 
I’m same - a lovely lady on another forum said knowledge is power and I so relate to that! 
thank you for reaching out x