Just been diagnosed with Lobular breast cancer and have to go into hospital on the 18th not sure yet weather it will be a lumpectomy or a masectomy the surgeon as booked me in for a MRI scan next week I will have to lay on my stomach for an hour and I am really panicked about this I know how silly this is but am really worried I wont be able to stay still that long any advice please,so glad I found this forum have benn reading the posts for a wekk or so and everyone seems so helpfull,
Celia,
Hi celia, congrats on your first post. So sorry to hear about your dx. I have not had an MRI for bc but did have one five years ago after my little boy was born as he managed to knock out all sensation in my lower half for a week! I lay on my back and they gave me headphones with music to occupy me as it can be a bit noisy when the machine is working. If you are worried how you will be confined in the scanner then I think your doc can prescribe a calming tablet for you first. I take one before each chemo to take the edge off my anxiety and it really helps. I had never had anything remotely like it before but a
glad I got over my idea of the stigma attached to taking it as it’s got me thru chemo! All the very very best, am sure more ladies who have had more recent and relevant experience will post soon
take care of yourself
vickie
Hi Celia
Welcome to the forum but so sorry you have had to come on here. I too have invasive lobular cancer. Have had a lumpectomy but then they found more so have had a mastectomy too. Whatever you have honey, it is do-able but please PM me if you want to talk about either.
I have got an oncologist appointment on Thursday to sort out my chemo.
Re- the scan: I don’t know if yours will be the same kind of scan but I have had one for whole body and it was fine. As I was post surgery, I was a bit uncomfy so had asked them to strap my arms against my body to ease my muscles and just relaxed and shut my eyes. I used it as a bit of r and r time for me…it is not often we are still, is it? If you are nervous, ask them to talk you through it so you know how long you have got left and where it is focussing on.
I know it is hard but try not to worry- I always find that the waiting and anticipation of such things is worse than the experience: like going to the dentists! Lol. X
Take care and best wishes for your treatment,
Sallyann X
Hi Celia, sorry to hear of your dx but hopefully you will find this forum a great place for support. I too have lobular bc, an MRI is a very good way to check the extend of your bc, lobular is a sneaky bc and doesn’t always present itself on mammograms or even US. If you are very anxious a mild tranquiliser may be useful, otherwise, they usually have headphones as the machine is very noisy, but there is an intercom and there are little breaks between the imaging sessions, usually they say how many minutes they are doing. Hope all goes well. Tina.
Hi Celia
Sorry you had to join us but you have come to the right place for suppport. I was worried about my first MRI but the staff are so good and reasurring and used to patients being apprehensive. As others have said don’t be frightened to ask your GP for something to take the edge off your anxiety, they will be more than willing to help. I found the MRI went very quickly as Sallyann said we don’t often get a chance to lie and relax!! It is noisy but the staff keep you posted on what is happening via the headphones and I found the time flew bye couldn’t believe it when they said it was all done!!
Hope it goes well for you and post her anytime you have questions the forum is full of ladies with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Lots of love Anne x x
Celia - I was diagnosed with lobular bc and also had an MRI scan. It didn’t take as long as an hour, as I remember, and they gave me headphones through which they played music. I could even have taken in my own CD. If you are really worried, would it be possible for them, or your GP, to prescribe a mild sedative? The worst thing about it was that it is very noisy, but only in short bursts. They give you a panic button to hold, so that if you are in distress, they can come in.
I am sure it won’t be as bad as you think. You may be able to take someone in with you, as long as they remove anything metal. Good luck.
Ann x
Thank you ladies, it’s good to know that others have felt the same as me, I have decided to ask my GP for something to help me relax, good luck on Thursday Sallyann and to everyone else,
Celia.x
Celia, Take your own CD. It’ll help to have something you like or find relaxing.
I’m Lobular too and my first breast MRI had their compilation CD which featured Cyndi Lauper - Girls just wanna have fun.
No comment!
Hi
Lots of good suggestions here. I had an MRI some years ago not bc related and was suffering from panic attacks at the time. I closed my eyes through the whole scan and pretended that I was on a beach sunbathing and pictured all of the skys I had seen on holiday. When the noises of the machine got to me a bit I focussed on counting how long each particular noise lasted before it changed. I know it sounds wierd but it occupied my mind and stopped me from thinking about where I was. It def worked for me. Good luck. Dx
Midge I do the same - I get a little claustrophobic, so always close my eyes and imagine a particular deserted beach that was one of the happiest memories of my life. Didn’t help me wanting to cough all the way through though!
im also not gud with confined spaces im in the same dilema as you i have 2 do mri soon been on chemo for 6 months i oppted for ultrasound throughout all my screening my treatments finishes on the 18th aug will defo have to do one then to see how much hard work this chemo has done you can take someone in with you if that helps you im going too im also goin to take a relaxer let me no how you get on you wud think after chemo this wud be a walk in the park it aint trust me
Hi swallowtail - I had an MRI just a year ago to confirm dx of lobular bc. Like Midge I used the distraction method of imagining I was on a beach together with listening to my own favourite CD.I also counted the length of the machines noises. Took rescue remedy to help keep me calm ( have used this all through treatment).I had a needle inserted into the back of my had that was triggered half-way through, as I think they take before and after scans. So be prepared as no one mentioned it to me before hand. My scan took about 40 mins . Main thing is getting head into a good position before you start. Good luck. Marli
Hello Marli - I remember you being on here a year ago at the same time that I was diagnosed. How are you? You just reminded me about the needle in the hand. They said someone would come and inject a dye in halfway through but because I was lying on my front, I couldn’t see who it was.
I was worried about breathing in case I blurred the images and so I tried holding my breath when I thought the machine was working. I don’t recommend that as I some of the bouts are quite long and I had to decide whether to start breathing again or risk passing out:-)
I agree that it is important to make sure your head is comfortable before they start. Good luck.
Ann x