Hi all.
I'm almost 1year on from my lumpsectomy,recieved my appointments for my 1st mammgram and mri scan this morning,and I'm now a mess emotionally.i thought I was coping well with everything I have been through,
Now I'm worried about the appointments and fearing the results.
Everyone else had there MRI scans recently who could offer advise on what to expect,is it true that the appointment can last up to an hour.how do you stay positive with all that time just lieing there,thinking over and over.
Xxx
Hi Csp85
Sorry you haven't had a reply yet, but hopefully by replying someone who has MRI scans on their annual will be around now who may be able to answer you for exactly how long the appointment is - it might be the mammogram and MRI combined to take an hour (with waiting in between each as 2 x different pieces of equipment / different expertise required for each one).
I have had the full 4 annuals (as I am post 5 years of my lumpectomy) and I can remember the first one - I was convinced 100% that it would be back and was so, so shocked when I was told I was all clear. Each year, the fear has eased more and more and now I am to wait 3 years for my next one, I've just put it to the back of my mind.
The thing to remember now is that you have had the cancer removed with clear margins and you have also had other belts and braces treatments, radiotherapy and the tablets will be the extra protection for you. (I had the same type - ER+). The fact that it hadn't spread to your lymph nodes and you didn't need chemo. should reassure you a lot for your first scan.
When I was diagnosed, they didn't do MRI's (and it might have just been that hospital - they only did it for radio. preparation). But I've had MRI's for other things as well and the longest I've ever been in one is about 5 - 10 minutes if that's any help.
The hospital letter when it came through with my results was just a letter, so I guessed that if it was a thin letter from the hospital it was good results 
- if it was a fat envelope, I'd guessed they'd put the booklets of information in the envelope, so each time a thin envelope from the hospital came in the post, I knew I was happy to open it!
The first annual is the hardest, but as the time passes you will find it gets easier and easier, I am sure.
Kindest Wishes,
Lesley
