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ronnie61's avatar
ronnie61
Member
11 years ago

First Mammogram and Ultrasound since diagnosis and treatment last year !!!

Hi Ladies,  

I had my follow up  Mammogram and Ultrasound yesterday and I surprised myself at how calm I seemed to be. That is until I got home.Then I was very anxious and I really didn't sleep well last night either. I see my Surgeon next week for the results so I think it will be a long 7 days for me.  

I know I have tried so far todo all I can to minimize my chances of a recurrence by eating better, losing weight slowly, and stepping up physical exercise and completing the Encore program afew months ago which helps ladies diagnosed with BC to get fitter and healthier through exercises and Hydrotherapy classes. My treadmill is getting abit of a workout too these days which is good. 

My Breast Lymphoedema issues are still with me and improving slowly and I was very concerned with the Mammogram and how painful it would be because of  the Lymphoedema but it was fine and thankfully I got through it. The Ultrasound was the easy part. 

I know it's normal to feel anxious and nervous and as we all know the waiting is the difficult part of this whole process. The radiographer was happy with the pics she took and went to check them before she came to tell me that all was finished and I can go home. It was atleast 10 minutes of waiting for her to check things but it felt like forever.

She asked me whether I have had radiation so my brain automatically starts thinking of scar tissue damage that maybe she has seen in the Mammogram.

I just hope that after having finished my treatment 7 months ago I can continue to get on with life and not have to worry about treatments again. Fingers crossed for me. !!!  

Wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2015. 

Take care, 

Love Ronnie xx

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  • ronnie61's avatar
    ronnie61
    Member
    11 years ago

    Lovely to hear from you Marg.Hope you have been well. I got my results today for my follow up yearly mammogram and ultrasound and the results were great. I think keeping busy is the key. I had a very busy weekend and I didn't allow myself to worry and ofcourse having positive thoughts helps to calm the mind and body I find. Thank you for your best wishes it's much appreciated. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you too for your results next week. You will be just fine. It's hard to believe that it has already been nearly 10 months since our surgeries last year. Time really flies. Please let me know how you get on next week.

    Take Care, 

    Love Ronnie xx

     

  • ronnie61's avatar
    ronnie61
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Everyone, 

    I  saw my surgeon this afternoon  and my first yearly mammogram and Ultrasound results were great. In fact I was only in her rooms for about 10 minutes. My husband came with me and seeing the relief on his face got me alittle emotional. My surgeon told me to continue losing the weight, exercising, and doing all the good things I am doing. Very happy today. !!! I wish everyone the best too in not only your treatments but also follow ups. It is a very nerve wracking process but we all do get through it. 

    Love and best wishes to you all. 

    Ronnie xx

  • margiemoo's avatar
    margiemoo
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Ronnie 

    Nice to see you on here. I also have my first year check up next tuesday in the afternoon. I have times of worrying and times of keeping calm over it. I have my fingers crossed for you for good results. For me also. Do let us know how you go.

     

    Margxx

  • ronnie61's avatar
    ronnie61
    Member
    11 years ago

    Thank you for beautiful words of wisdom. I understand totally what you are saying and imagining the worse is always the problem unless we can learn to put it all in perspective. I try to visualize my positive thoughts and outcomes or jot down on a piece of paper how I feel and why? It helps alittle I just have to be more focused about all the good things. Anxiety is normal and as you say, being in a good frame of mind where you can picture good outcomes is extremely important. I think because this is the very first follow up of all tests since my diagnosis of last January in 2014 makes me feel nervous. But I have had an extremely busy weekend so far helping relatives move and which will continue into tomorrow and so I also try not to think too much about it either. I will be ready for my results this week and I know I will be okay.  I will let everyone know how I get on.  Thanks Jessica 

    Take Care

    Ronnie xx

  • JessicaV's avatar
    JessicaV
    Member
    11 years ago

     

    As a psychologist I have found myself looking for ways that I can make things work better for myself by the way I think about them, esp when I have no control over them otherwise
    To be aware that fear and anxiety can become much worse or much better by what I imagine happening.  Waiting is mostly so bad because of what we imagine will happen. I can wind myself up by letting myself picture bad outcomes, or I can calm myself down by chosing to picture good outcomes.
    This often works well for me (and for my clients), and seems to be the best way to get  fear or anxiety or confusion under control and get through hard times. I know this only works for people who are psychologically minded, and if you aren't' it is probably not  for you

     

  • ronnie61's avatar
    ronnie61
    Member
    11 years ago

    I think what stressed me out more initially was being back in hospital doing these tests as I finished my treatment last june and apart from physio for my Lymphoedema that is still ongoing, l  had started to feel " normal " again if that's possible after a BC diagnosis in 2014.  Tonya, thanks very much for your good wishes and hopefully all goes well for me next week. I will keep busy, infact I will be helping a family member move on the weekend with lots of packing to be done today and tomorrow so that's good. I will let you know how I get on.  

    Ronnie xx

  • ronnie61's avatar
    ronnie61
    Member
    11 years ago

    Thanks Chris for your positive thoughts. As you say the  "waiting " for results is so difficult but I will try to keep extra busy. I will definitely let you know how it all goes next week.  

    Ronnie xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    11 years ago
    The waiting is stressful but there is no way around it.I think it's a good sign that the radiographer didn't come back in and repeat the mammogram or didn't get a doctor to come in to check your ultrasound.So I am quietly confident for you.You know the drill- stay busy! Keep us posted,Tonya xx