Ok so I have just turned 40 and have a beautiful four month old son. Due to family history I was put forward to have yearly mammograms which I have just had my first one. Had a letter back yesterday to say I had been called back next wed.
To say I am terrified is an understatement. I feel physically sick - I lost my mum at a young age and scared my baby is now going to lose me.
I guess I am looking for any reassurances or how I get to cope till my appointment as am spending all my time googling and each time I look at my little boy I end up in tears
Hello Sarahjanek
Welcome to the forums, this must be a very difficult time for you.
As well as the support you will receive on the forums we also have a free helpline where you can talk things through with a member of staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
with best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Sarah Jane, all of us here can understand how you feel. Most of us are the same. If you can, speak to a partner, friend or family member and be 100% honest (not the forced - be positive - I’ll be one of the ones who is all right stuff). That helped me and helped my husband understand a bit prior to the breast clinic appointment (I had a 4 week wait to get worked up in, appt Monday & sincerely hope yours is quicker. We all hope we will be the ok ones but our deepest darkest terrors is worse case scenarios. I’m 42 with children and unfortunately know what you’re going through. Please don’t google though, that makes things even worse. I learnt through one session of bitter experience and never again. Stick to this forum, wider site as its very informative and helpline. We will all think of you and don’t be shy to post, don’t think you have to limit posts as I think we all try to help each other here. Try the talk to people like me section for younger women too. It helps me even reading others if I’m not brave enough to post. X
Thankyou for your kind words. I have never posted in a forum in my life before but in a way it feels a bit easier talking to people I don’t know if that makes sense?!
I am trying to avoid google as I am a born pessimist and I know searching for things on Google will only make the wait worse.
In terms of waiting I am lucky. Had the recall letter yesterday and my app is for Wednesday but even that feels a lifetime away.
Have had scares before which turned out to be cysts and I guess I am thinking sooner or later my luck will run out
Hi SarahJane,
Can fully understand your worry - re next few days…you don’t know exactly what’s up till you see the specialists and there is absolutely nothing you can do about any of this at the moment so…if you can, when feeling panicked…deep breathes and if you can do this…(it worked for me during those arghhhh moments) sit or lie still, close your eyes and try to imagine you are somewhere where you have been and felt carefree and at one with nature…try to visualise the scene, feel the sun of your face (or whatever the weather was doing), try to remember the feeling of the breeze on your face, the sounds around you…I know it sounds a bit like a load of old wooly but if you can do it (and it can take practice) it works wonders…I can even bring my blood pressure and heart rate down when I focus on being elsewhere! When you bring yourself back you should feel slightly refreshed and may avert a full on panic.
I think all of the women in this situation discover they have hidden depths they never realise they have to help them on the road ahead.
Talk to close family or friends - that’ll help you feel support.
Really hope results are good and if they have spotted something that its at the lesser end of treatment scales.
Seabreeze - ps - I did yoga years ago and always thought I was a bit rubbish at the relaxation/meditation stuff but not so…I transported myself to sea cliffs at numerous stages through my journey and it really helped…so apologises for any yippee sounding speall!