Hi letterbox

I got recalled after my first mammogram, I sat in a room full of ladies who had also been recalled - there were about 22 of us, one by one we were called into the Drs office. I saw women come back from Drs office relieved that the suspect shadow they saw on the screen turned out to be nothing or that the calcifications looked normal.  three of us were called to have biopsies - all done on the same day. So the odds are with you not having cancer rather than having it. I know it’s scary but try and keep busy and not worry.

take care x

Thank you for taking the time to reassure me. I have read the statistics over and over and trying not to worry, but it's so hard. I have other medical appointments this week, had major 2  bowel surgeries last year for an abscess due to diverticulitis, so have a few follow ups for that, so that will,keep me busy.I already have health anxiety, so this has driven me to the edge. Worry is a terrible thing. It doesn't achieve anything, and yet this is so hard not to worry about. Thanks again for the reassurance. Very much appreciated. 

I also have diverticulitis but thankfully never had an abscess - sounds painful. I think the key to health anxiety is knowledge. I research a lot, I search for reputable studies, that way I’m only dealing in facts, I find good statistical analysis a comfort. That also goes wth regards to cancer, pathology has become more personal and treatment more targeted so people are getting better outcomes. Your mammogram will be here soon enough and hopefully it will be nothing but feel free to give me or the other BC ladies on here a shout if you need to talk x

I am exactly the same. I research everything. It's our bodies , so I feel we need to take responsibility. I have always looked after my health for that very reason. I was very unlucky with the diverticulitis. A gastro doc who was not listening to me. I am a lifelong vegetarian, and exercise . Have a wonderful surgeon though. I hate when thingshappen  to our bodies we can't control. I had a daughter who died at 3 from leukaemia in 1989, so I really don't deal with health anxiety well at all. 

So very sorry to hear about your daughter, you must be a very strong woman to come through such a tragedy. No wonder you get anxious. Although not a vegetarian I do eat healthily and exercise, I come from a family who are all obese - I’m the runt ;) 

My son suffers from health anxiety, luckily I am NHS trained and a scientist so I can reassure him whenever it arises and it has got better. Do you have someone you can use as a soundboard?

Thank you so much for your reply.Magpiemaggie.  I have just seen it, sorry I didn't reply earlier. Yes it has been tough, it's the worst thing losing your child, and my health anxiety has just got worse over the years since. So this call back is a nightmare for me. I'm still dealing with bladder issues from damage due to  serious bowel  surgery resection due to diverticulitis last year, so been an awful few years for me. I rang and spoke to a breast nurse yesterday, because I couldn't take it all in the other day. She explained I am at the lower end of the scale of " suspiciousness" I think that was roughly what she said. But of course they can't give any guarantee . And I am still at my wits end. My appointment tomorrow thank goodness. My doctor has given me something to calm me, because I just can't cope at the moment. We are packing to move house too, not important at this time, but has to be done. I don't really have a person to sound off to, I tend to be quite private. I don't want to worry my children( they are adults, I'm 63 ) until I know what's going on. My Husband is very  good but he's worried too. Just be glad to get it over. Thanks again, and any advice very welcome. 

Hi

I was in your shoes this time last week, I had just enjoyed a lovely holiday in the Far East woth my husband but knew I was coming back to my recall appontment after a routine mammogram.  I felt anxious, upset and very tearful all weekend, I felt sick and couldnt concentrate before my appointment on Monday. After a more specific mammogram xray, the Dr came to use the ultrasound to check out her suspicions that all was ok and when she did confirm it was just a cyst and this was nothing to worry about and I could go home we had never been more relieved and happy.  My husband came with me throughout and we skipped out straight away so happy and just hugged with relief.  I hope you get the same news but I understand how terrified you are, if that helps.

Hi, gosh you’ve been through the mill. Tomorrow is either going to go two ways; 1) you will be given the all clear or 2) it’s not clear but they’ve caught it before it causes serious problems.

I would take some comfort in what the breast nurse has said. I know this sounds odd but I would see either scenario as positive, when I was given my diagnosis I was glad it was found very early and very treatable, sure I would have liked the all clear but it could have been much worse and the treatment was easy. I also take comfort in the fact that I have a whole team of cancer specialists that will monitor me for the next 10 years so feel I’m in a better position than someone whose never had cancer as I know I have that safety net there.

good luck with tomorrow, try and get some sleep and let us know how you get on. x

Hi. I got the all clear. It's a cyst. I don't have to worry about it turning into anything nasty or anything. I feel very very lucky. They were all wonderful there. Thank you so much for your support. I have really appreciated it, and as I sat there I took comfort from the fact that, as you said, if it was anything, it was very early. I feel blessed today, I really do. 

Thank you Jaygirl. Yes it did help. I got the all clear, and I am very relieved and feel,blessed. A cyst. What a week of horrible worry, but as Magpiemaggie said, if they catch it this early, it's better than leaving it . I'll be continuing my mammograms regularly as I have always done. Thank you for the support.