Hi all, I am new to this forum. I found a lump 2 weekends ago, went the Dr on the Tuesday, Wednesday had mamogram, ultrasound and fine needle aspiration. Mamogram confirmed there was something there and Dr scared the living daylights out of me asking me if I had income protection as I would need alot of time off work. Monday I got the results of the biopsy, Dr couldn't really tell me anything other than it was being referred to the breast clinic at the hospital and now I need to wait to hear back. From what I can gather that's written on the paperwork the lump I found is cancerours and something about the node as well. I am near wetting myself and feeling so ill, can't eat properly can't sleep properly. I'm 38 with 2 children, husband, work full time and just having my career take off. I am absolutely sick with worry.I have amazing family and friends around me supporting us, but I just can't help but worry. I have returned to work to try and keep my mind busy until I get the hospital appointment. I have put Dr google away as that just made it worse trying to understand individual words in the report.Does anyone have any suggestions of how to calm the nerves/stomach please?

I would ring the Breast Clinic at the Hospital and ask to speak to the breast care nurse. She will be your first go-to for advice when you are scared or stressed, so make contact with her as soon as you can. You don't say when your appointment has been booked with the breast clinic - it wouldn't hurt to ring them and ask. One thing we learn with this diagnosis is to be pro-active! If they don't call you, call them! It is a very worrying time for you. Just try to get through one day at a time and don't think too far ahead. Some people swear by the guided relaxation videos on YouTube - maybe could help settle the nerves a bit. Stay in touch and let us know how things are going. We have all been there and understand. Big hug. Michelle x

Hi Amy, and welcome to this forum. I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have.You poor love! The beginning is just the absolute pits. Waiting is awful and the fear of the unknown is a shocker. Please be reassured that you are not alone in either your emotions or circumstances. Also know that there are a lot of services and help available to you.There are a number of things that can take the edge off this time. We're all different so they vary from person to person. The thing that worked best for me was good old fashioned distraction. I gave my brain a rest by watching a lot of easy tv. I also saw a counsellor very early on who let me bawl my eyes out, at length, in her office a couple of times. As well as being a great valve release, this was valuable for me because with four kids and an elderly father-in-law at home, I couldn't really do it there.That counsellor put me onto a breathing exercise that can help slow and reset your nervous system that is in overdrive at this time. So breathe in for four seconds, hold it for three, and exhale for six. Do that several times and you may feel a little calmer.Meditation can help too if you want to give it a go. I used it a lot early on. I can't quite tell you how it worked but it seemed to create a breathing space in my highly overactive brain. I use the Headspace app on my phone. It has 'packs' of different lengths for cancer, anxiety, panic etc.You can access a Breastcare nurse who can be amazing to talk to and advise you at any stage of a breast cancer or possible breast cancer diagnosis. Call the breast clinic at the hospital and ask for one. If they can't help you they should be able to point you in the right direction.You can always ring the BCNA hotline on 1800 500 258. There's nothing the fab folk there haven't heard and they'll be able to assist, guide and comfort you.What's worked for you in times of stress before? Exercise, a long walk or a swim? Hanging out with friends? Some people like to research the shit out of a subject, others prefer not to know too much. The important thing is to do what's right for you, be kind to yourself, be gentle with yourself. Accept all offers of help!There is a young women group here you might like to join as well. There might be some specific advice there you could find useful. http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-womenMost of us feel highly inconvenienced by a diagnosis of cancer. I mean, who has time for this crap?! But if you are getting on this train you just have to surrender to the notion that getting well is going to take time. It sucks! But this too shall pass. We're lucky to have world leading cancer treatment available to us here.Everyone here is in your corner and rooting for you. We'll hold your hand as you step through the maze. So hang in there, take deep breaths, and ask as many questions, rant and vent as you need. Try to take things one day at a time, even one hour at a time. Remain present, put one foot in front of the other and try not cross any bridges until you come to them. Big hug, Kate xox

That's all good to hear Amy! I can tell you that in the last six months I have felt more loved than at any other time in my life. It's a beautiful feeling. Kate xox

No much to add Amy, but welcome. As you can see, this an awesome place to voice your concerns and fears, Everyone here has been there and remembers just how scary it was at the beginning. Waiting just sux. I found distraction worked best at the start and tried to keep everything as normal as was humanly possible. Easier said than done mostly. Wine helped as well :) Personally I think it was a bit rude of the Dr to land you with the income protection thing right now when you don't have all or hardly any information. I managed to work the majority of the time through treatment and there are many on here that got through treatment ok. Great idea to contact the breast care nurse. Fingers crossed for you. All the best.xoxoxo

Of course you are worried! Michelle has given you good advice--the breast care nurse is the person you need to contact now; don't wait for someone to set it up, it's something proactive you can do now.@soldiercrab is our lady with all the handy links, I'm sure she will put them up for you.Regarding taking time off work, it's impossible to tell if you will need to or not. Some people work through treatment but that depends what is recommended and how you cope with it as an individual. It is worth checking to see what insurance you do have, that can make life a lot easier if you need to go through the full performance. These things are never convenient--I was 43 when I was first diagnosed and like you I was just getting my career together. That ended up being OK and I kept things on track but the whole business was a nuisance!

waiting is making me feel sick | BCNA Online Network

27 Replies

arpie
Member
7 years ago
Hi @AmyB
As the other lovely ladies have said .... try not to 2nd guess what is or isn't about to happen ..... all the best for you CT/bone scan tomorrow (I had my bone scan last week & altho I have the 'pic' I need to read the report!)

Yes, things are moving forward, which is good. I was diagnosed on Jan 5th but all the surgeons were on hols til mid Jan ... so I had to wait for 2 weeks before getting any forward momentum .... but then it was all on!! I had my surgery within 2 days of meeting the surgeon & home recovering after a lumpectomy (Grade 2 Invasive lobular cancer.)

Keep busy, especially after the scan etc ... until you get your results .... thinking of you! xxxx
Romla
Member
7 years ago
@AmyB Just a tiny suggestion I like Celestial Seasonings “ Sleepytime Tea” when anxious- it’s camomile and few other more palatable herbs and available in supermarkets - it’s a relaxant and yes can help sleep.
AmyB
Member
7 years ago
Had a call from the hospital this afternoon, tomorrow morning heading in for more tests i.e CT/bone scan, possibly blood test and maybe additional biopsy. I'm nervous as all hell again now as it's now beginning to kick off. Going to watch a heap of nonsense tv tonight to help my mind go blank so I can hopefully get some sleep without stressing too much. At least now I know things are moving and can start taking in some of the amazing advice I have received here about taking one step at a time an breathing :)
melclarity
Member
7 years ago
@AmyB a warm welcome to you, it certainly isnt an easy place to be amidst the beginning confusion of it all. I have to agree I think it odd your GP saying anything, they're not qualified that's why you're referred to a Breast Clinic or Breast Surgeon. Biopsies are not always completely accurate, he said the lymph node was involved? The first step to peace is a Breast Surgeon who can tell you the results of the biopsy, and then more specifically a lumpectomy for a definitive pathology result.

Hang tight, because it does send your world into a spin, knowledge is power, the sooner you get that appt the better you will feel. Hugs Melinda xo
duxx1234
Member
7 years ago
Oh thanks for your trouble @kezmusic Knowing me I will do it again
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago

You can highlight it then delete it I think
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
Hmmm, don't think so. I'll try it.
duxx1234
Member
7 years ago
Thanks@kezmusc Can you unclick the quote button after you have hit it my mistake? x
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
It's the quote button. :smile:

Can somebody tell me please what button I am pressing incorrectly that copied this article! I meant to hit the ‘like’ button not copy it.
Sorry Kate @kmakm I love everything you post; you write with such compassion and empathy . I think I said in one of my earlier posts that I am a computer ‘gumby’ Hence why I don’t do a lot of posting!!
it makes me nervous!!
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Fionap2017 SO wonderful to hear! Well done. Happy trails! K xox