Tests overwhelming

Hi Noods,

I am so sorry you find yourself on this site.

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast in November and I can fully sympathise with what you are going through. I had seven weeks of tests with sometimes 4 different things a week (MRI's, PET scans, kidney function tests, ultrasound and biopsy, first of one breast then the other, echocardiogram etc.) 

Half way through this I felt I couldn't carry on - it was just too overwhelming and exhausting and I just wanted treatment to start. It felt as though every day there would be another phone call asking me to attend yet another test.

However, once these have all been done and treatment starts I promise it does get easier - obviously there is the exhaustion and side effects of the actual treatment (6 rounds of chemo for me) but you know what is ahead as you have a plan of the treatment and tests you will have which mentally lets you prepare.

Try to take it one day at a time and just go with it - there really is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Stay strong - you have this xxx

Hi Noods sorry you are feeling overwhelmed- Maggies are a good place to go to speak to someone if you would like to talk to someone about how you are feeling and macmillan telephone line. At least the upside is they are being thorough with the diagnosis. I've asked 2 different BC nurses, and GP for an MRI or CT scan to check for cancer elsewhere in my body but have been told I don't reach the criteria for it. I think it does get better once the treatment starts as you feel relieved something is happening to take the cancer away. You will probably still have days when you feel exhausted or down but it does get better. Wishing you all the best for your treatment xx

Thank you NannyJ.

Yes it is non stop. I appreciate you taking the time to go through your experience. 

I just want all the answers about what I face then I hope as you say I can just focus on coping with treatment 

Hope you are on the full road to recovery xx

Hi skyemum,

I will try them thankyou.

I am sorry you couldn't get more tests to check. I hope you get all the answers you need. 

My cancer is large and I had concerns over cancer elsewhere so each time I got answers it led to more questions and tests.

I hope you are on the road to recovery and feeling well xx

Hi I think I'm now resigned to they are the experts and know what they are doing  and everyone's circumstances are different so we don't all have the same tests and treatment plan. I am on the road to recovery now thanks. Having good days and not so good - GP has prescribed a small dose of sertraline which is helping amazingly with my mood and also reducing hot flushes. I've just started taking the hormone therapy Letrozole a week ago as well so will see how that goes xx

Hi Noods, sorry to hear of your diagnosis and that you're feeling overwhelmed. 

Your experience sounds pretty similar to mine and I definitely felt overwhelmed during my period of testing which was Feb to April. 

I found that as soon as I had a date for surgery, my anxieties quietened and I felt relief that treatment was beginning. 

I had bilateral surgery 4 wks ago, left mastectomy and right lumpectomy, plus sentinel node removal on both sides. The first week post surgery was difficult but I'm feeling much stronger now and was even cleaning windows yesterday!

Next, results from surgery.

I think that's my long answer to, yes in my experience it does get easier.

I think it's great that you are having detailed investigations prior to treatment, it seems you'll have the full picture soon. Though I know I felt equally worn out by the numerous tests I had prior to my surgery.

I hope you are getting some time for yourself to do nice non-cancer related things.

Wishing you well over the coming weeks and months. Hugs

So pleased you are feeling stronger and able to do normal things again.

I am looking forward to the tests coming to an end and getting on the road to recovery.

I am still working full time in between all the testing.

I hope you recover quickly. Take care of yourself. Xx