Breast MRI anxiety

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I have grade 2 lobular  breast cancer, so will be having an MRI to see where else it may be sneaking about on Monday. 
I’m getting myself anxious that I won’t be able to cope with lying on my front etc for the scan. Any reassurance welcome! Does it go quickly? What we’re your coping strategies? 
Waiting for appointments is the so exhaustingly stressful. From recall mam letter, to biopsy, to appointment for results to MRI. 

  • That’s normal to feel that way I have had my surgery and I am waiting on the pathology results I am hoping I don’t need further surgery but if I do then I will deal with it as it comes. I have my fingers crossed for you xx

  • What surgery did you have and how did it go? 

    I have ER high and HER2 is negative, but I have another lump next to it but their unsure if it's benign. X 

  • Hello, I've just looked back on my notes and I was to have an mri only if opting for reconstruction, which I  wasn't,  so that is why then x

  • I have had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy it went well just sore afterwards especially under my arm I have exercises to do 3 times a day which help. My ER is 8 and it’s her2 negative and is driven by hormones mine was found incidentally as I had breast pain it took me 3 years to get a referral for a mammogram as I am only 45 and having pain they say I am not in the normal criteria thank god I persisted 

  • Hopefully this has put your mind at rest xx

  • I found out I had cancer 2 days after I turned 50 and both doctors I saw thought it was a gland but thankfully I didn't have to wait 3 years, that's just ridiculous.

    I was supposed to have my mri last Thursday but I turned up to be told it had broken down so I've had another stressful week waiting x 

  • Yes it has thank you x

  • That’s the worst part it’s all waiting for results and investigations I have had a lot of support from my breast care nurses they have been brilliant. Let’s hope you’re MRI goes ahead today xx

  • Hi Seasonwatcher,

    I had Grade 2 lobular BC and had an MRI. They make sure that you are very comfortable and the machine tells you how long each stage will last, i.e “The next scan will last 10 minutes.” I found it helped me to sing a song (Bohemian Rhapsody) and the time went quite quickly! 

    They might ask you to hold your breath but it’s not for long. Try breathing in and out calmly when you first go in. It is noisy so don’t be alarmed at all the sounds. They can make you jump when your not expecting a loud noise! Wear trousers with no metal in them so that you can wear them in the MRI machine as it can be quite cold in there.

    When I got my results I was told the the MRI had picked up a lesion on my liver which made me nearly faint with shock. My surgery was postponed and I was sent for another MRI on my liver. Luckily it was a benign tumour and it is quite common in ladies of a certain age! I have now had surgery and am starting chemo on Monday. The whole process started in May so I completely understand about the waiting part of it. I felt like I was taking one step forward and three steps back.

    Wishing you all the best for Monday and let us know how you get on x

  • Thank you x. Why do you have to have chemo? Has it spread? 
    Thanks for  telling me about how they communicate the timings. That’ll help me I think.