Hello you
Firstly, if your doctor thinks that you have a benign cyst, then they are probably correct. Cysts tend to be smooth, discrete lumps that are not firmly attached to underlying structures, and often seem to appear overnight.
I know exactly how you are feeling, as two years ago, when I was 52, I was found to have breast cancer following my first routine mammogram. I seem to be fine now, although tomorrow I am having my annual mammogram and six monthly check with the breast surgeon.
Ironically, it was the wait between my biopsies and the day that I was given the formal diagnosis that was the worst time for me, so you have my absolute sympathy. It is really hard to deal with.
However - there are ways to cope with it, just as if the worst comes to the worst, you will deal with whatever you have to. I did - and I don't consider myself in the least bit strong or courageous.
There is a wonderful organisation called breastcancercare, which is easy to find on line. It is a charity run by volunteers, and the phone is answered by quite highly trained people who have either had breast cancer, a partner with it, or a genetic predisposition towards it. They are highly informed, kind, helpful, and able to listen to you with all your fears and anxieties. They are available during office hours, and if you look them up on line, you will find the number, along with all sorts of reliable and useful information that may help you. Whatever the outcome of your investigations next week, they will be with you all the way.
On the subject of the net - I really recommend that you don't spend hours wading about in the huge amount of information, much of which is fallacious and unreliable, that you can find on the net. Unless you have some formal medical or similar training, you won't necessarily be able to determine which are reliable sites, and which are not. In this respect it was easier for me, as I am a retired doctor, with experience in the area of breast cancer in that I used to anaesthetise patients for breast cancer surgery, and for reconstruction. No doubt I am out of date, but it gives me some insight into the disease, and the problems that are associated with it.
Of course you are terrified - all adult women are where it comes to breast cancer and breast lumps. I absolutely sympathise with you - it is a dreadful thing to deal with while you wait for your appointment, and the results of it.
I found the anxiety, sleeplessness, lack of concentration and irritability far worse before I had my diagnosis than afterwards. How to cope with it?
Perhaps try some of the following:
Firstly, and most importantly, try to maintain a positive outlook. It is highly likely, in view of your doctor's primary diagnosis that the lump is in fact a benign cyst. Try not to dwell on the 'what if's, and also try not to spend too much time alone, worrying yourself about it. Pacing around the house rarely helps.
This is where friends and a good partner, if you have one, come in - this is what they are for, so ask for their help and support. Just as you would supply exactly that help, love and support to them, were they to be in your situation.
Don't forget to look after yourself - eat as well as you can, spoil yourself if you have any appetite, otherwise make yourself eat a healthy diet. Even just a little bit, or a little bit of what you might actually like.
Drink plenty of water. People who are severely anxious often forget to do this, and even quite mild dehydration can make one feel dreadful.
If you can bear to do it, try to go outside, especially with this lovely spring weather, and get a little bit of exercise. Perhaps a walk, with a friend? Maybe in a park, or somewhere in the countryside, if you are able to. Exercise, even gentle exercise increases your natural endorphin production, and that makes you feel heaps better.
You probably know already the things that tend to relax you. However, I would recommend any or all of the following:
Perhaps try a hot bath with lovely smellies in it, maybe with your favourite music wafting along from outside the bathroom.
Find something familiar that you like to watch on TV, and actually watch it, preferably tucked up in bed. Tonight there is the third episode of Poldark, and I defy anyone not to enjoy it!
Have a big, yummy drink of your favourite thing, and snuggle up for the night.
You have my absolute sympathy and support.
I think it highly probable that this will turn out to be exactly what your GP has suggested, in which case that will be fantastic news, and a huge relief for you.
If not - there is a huge amount of help out there, and you will somehow find the inner strength to deal with whatever life throws at you.
I shall be thinking of you.
If you feel able to, would you let me know how you get on?
With my kindest regards
M xx
Hello you
Firstly, if your doctor thinks that you have a benign cyst, then they are probably correct. Cysts tend to be smooth, discrete lumps that are not firmly attached to underlying structures, and often seem to appear overnight.
I know exactly how you are feeling, as two years ago, when I was 52, I was found to have breast cancer following my first routine mammogram. I seem to be fine now, although tomorrow I am having my annual mammogram and six monthly check with the breast surgeon.
Ironically, it was the wait between my biopsies and the day that I was given the formal diagnosis that was the worst time for me, so you have my absolute sympathy. It is really hard to deal with.
However - there are ways to cope with it, just as if the worst comes to the worst, you will deal with whatever you have to. I did - and I don't consider myself in the least bit strong or courageous.
There is a wonderful organisation called breastcancercare, which is easy to find on line. It is a charity run by volunteers, and the phone is answered by quite highly trained people who have either had breast cancer, a partner with it, or a genetic predisposition towards it. They are highly informed, kind, helpful, and able to listen to you with all your fears and anxieties. They are available during office hours, and if you look them up on line, you will find the number, along with all sorts of reliable and useful information that may help you. Whatever the outcome of your investigations next week, they will be with you all the way.
On the subject of the net - I really recommend that you don't spend hours wading about in the huge amount of information, much of which is fallacious and unreliable, that you can find on the net. Unless you have some formal medical or similar training, you won't necessarily be able to determine which are reliable sites, and which are not. In this respect it was easier for me, as I am a retired doctor, with experience in the area of breast cancer in that I used to anaesthetise patients for breast cancer surgery, and for reconstruction. No doubt I am out of date, but it gives me some insight into the disease, and the problems that are associated with it.
Of course you are terrified - all adult women are where it comes to breast cancer and breast lumps. I absolutely sympathise with you - it is a dreadful thing to deal with while you wait for your appointment, and the results of it.
I found the anxiety, sleeplessness, lack of concentration and irritability far worse before I had my diagnosis than afterwards. How to cope with it?
Perhaps try some of the following:
Firstly, and most importantly, try to maintain a positive outlook. It is highly likely, in view of your doctor's primary diagnosis that the lump is in fact a benign cyst. Try not to dwell on the 'what if's, and also try not to spend too much time alone, worrying yourself about it. Pacing around the house rarely helps.
This is where friends and a good partner, if you have one, come in - this is what they are for, so ask for their help and support. Just as you would supply exactly that help, love and support to them, were they to be in your situation.
Don't forget to look after yourself - eat as well as you can, spoil yourself if you have any appetite, otherwise make yourself eat a healthy diet. Even just a little bit, or a little bit of what you might actually like.
Drink plenty of water. People who are severely anxious often forget to do this, and even quite mild dehydration can make one feel dreadful.
If you can bear to do it, try to go outside, especially with this lovely spring weather, and get a little bit of exercise. Perhaps a walk, with a friend? Maybe in a park, or somewhere in the countryside, if you are able to. Exercise, even gentle exercise increases your natural endorphin production, and that makes you feel heaps better.
You probably know already the things that tend to relax you. However, I would recommend any or all of the following:
Perhaps try a hot bath with lovely smellies in it, maybe with your favourite music wafting along from outside the bathroom.
Find something familiar that you like to watch on TV, and actually watch it, preferably tucked up in bed. Tonight there is the third episode of Poldark, and I defy anyone not to enjoy it!
Have a big, yummy drink of your favourite thing, and snuggle up for the night.
You have my absolute sympathy and support.
I think it highly probable that this will turn out to be exactly what your GP has suggested, in which case that will be fantastic news, and a huge relief for you.
If not - there is a huge amount of help out there, and you will somehow find the inner strength to deal with whatever life throws at you.
I shall be thinking of you.
If you feel able to, would you let me know how you get on?
With my kindest regards
M xx