Hi
I am having my first mammogram tomorrow after completing treatment for breast cancer - I am absolutely petrified about the whole thing especially the results ? is it normal to feel like this ?
Hiyer,
Yes, it is normal, very normal for many people, so much so that it has a term ‘scanxiety’. Tomorrow, same as you!!, I am due a yearly mammogram - except mine is the third after treatment ended (diagnosed March 2016). I would be lying if I didn’t tell you I am stressed and fearful, even after the previous two being totally clear. It stops me sleeping for a few weeks and reminds me of everything surrounding that awful time of diagnosis, so for you, who is even closer to diagnosis and treatment it is going to feel much worse. I recall all too clearly that first year and waiting for the results, it was almost too much to bear…hang on in there LamphA…many thousands and thousands have been there before you and understand your feelings on this. x I’ll come back and check your thread tomorrow and we can update together.
Edited to add - I recall seeing my breast surgeon a few months before the first mammogram, for a checkup. She cheerfully said to me ‘I bet you are feeling great now, now its all over’, I looked at her with confusion on my face and said ‘no not really’, she asked why…and the WHY is that for many people (despite being delighted they have had treatment and relieved there is professional skill around them) they have that feeling of a sword hanging over their heads. It will diminish, and you will spend less time thinking about it, it doesn’t cross my mind much now until we get to scans.
Hello LamphA,
Best wishes with your scan tomorrow. If you do a forum search, I think you will find a number of people saying the same thing… So take it that it is quite normal. I hope you can find something nice to do and enjoy today, something that helps you relax.
I know this may not help as we need to find our own way of managing things but… I have an aversion to all things intrusive and medical anyway so breast cancer treatment and aftermath was a treat… Not! Anyway post treatment, I have had two mammos and checks with breast clinic plus also a couple of Oncologist checks and one due again soon. I don’t necessarily look forward to them but I also don’t get anymore “scanxiety” than if it was just a bog standard mammograms etc. I think this is because I have managed to convince myself that they are a good thing and that I am glad of them because if anything is lurking then there is a good chance it will be picked up early. I probably get more anxious when I am doing my own checks - maybe that is because I found my original alien through self discovery so to speak.
Due to personal circumstances, I access treatments/checks in two different areas of the nation. One where the breast care team mammograms and appointment for 5 years but no regular Oncologist follow up, and the other area does Mammograms every two years and a phone line to breast care nurses if you need, and it would seem follow up from Oncology. When I heard mammograms every two years and no regular appointments that concerned me more than the other arrangement!! I would be more anxious if there were no formal checks. Fortunately, I can make good use of both arrangements.
Wishing you all the best,
Chick ? x
Hi LamphA
You have received 2 wonderful replies from Charys and Chick1 - I’m not sure I can add anything to their advice and support, but I wanted to send you a hug and reassure you that it really is normal to feel anxious about scans. We will be with you tomorrow holding your hand virtually - do come back and let us know how you get on, or if you need to chat more before you go.
Hugs, Evie xx
Don’t panic - the feeling is perfectly natural and acceptable. I’ve just had my 2nd mammogram following breast cancer in 2017 and it was just as daunting and scarry. Thankfully the results have come back normal so I can breathe a sense a relief for another year…! Good luck tomorrow - it’s going to be a packed room as we’ll all be with you! xx
Hi LamphA
Perfectly normal and sure I can speak for lots of people here. I had the appointment for my mammo come through for mid April which was fine. Just prior to this I got an infection. Post surgery would you believe 11 month on!!. 2 lots of antibiotics and several ultra sounds and mammo cancelled due to the discomfort. Long story short I said I needed my mammo soon as have my daughter wedding (which is now 2 weeks away) and needed to know as didn’t want this hanging over me up to the wedding. Anyway it is what it is and you have to do what they say and behave!. Went for my check up to see if the infection was improving and another ultra sound then in to see the professor who then said lets do your full mammogram why you are here. Well I went into melt down and said really!! almost as if do I have to??. He said yes and will give you the results at the same time. Well you can imagine. Knees knockin, shaking, dry mouth sat in waiting room with ladies who wanted to chat, not me!!. Anyway they called me in and almost ran in saying well???. good news perfect mammogram no disease evident. Yes the waiting time is the worst and was for me all the way through and I am sure for lots of others, that waiting carousel was dreadful. I am sure all will be fine and it is ok to not be ok and get nervous. Fingers crossed for you and on a good result. xx