Annual Mammogram, Extreme Anxiety

[pulisa]

I have received counselling from a charity specialising in helping cancer survivors. They were very good but they would only offer a limited number of sessions.

Did these sessions help you at the time? Could you go back to this charity now that time has passed and you are still plagued with fear?

[Deb350]

Did these sessions help you at the time? Could you go back to this charity now that time has passed and you are still plagued with fear?

I only spoke with them last year and I’ve got to go two years before they will offer me more sessions :(

[pulisa]

That's disappointing but I suppose they have limited resources..Could you consider some private therapy? I know it's shamefully expensive though.

How are you feeling now that a few days have passed since your results?

[Deb350]

I paid for CBT privately a few years ago, it did help to some degree. I think the problem is I struggle to put any of the techniques into practice.

I’m still not feeling great after Monday, those calcium deposits are plaguing my mind! I know rationally people train for years to be able to read mammograms and what do I know! I had reassurance from both the radiographer and the radiologist that my mammogram is fine.

Yet I torment myself with the fear it’s not. Those calcium deposits could have been there for years for all I know, it was only because I happened to see the scan this time that I noticed them.

[pulisa]

How did you happen to see the scan?

I've got microcalcifications and thought they were insignificant. Don't loads of women have them? Comparison of scan history is always carried out. Do you honestly think that anything significant on your scan would be ignored in view of your previous diagnosis?

Maybe make it a rule never to "come across" scans or test results that are going to torment you and make you ruminate on the "what if" scenario?

[Deb350]

The radiographer showed me a crease mark of my skin on the scan, she saw I was anxious and I think just wanted to reassure me that she needed to do another picture, not because anything was wrong.

Apparently calcifications are very common.

I know you’re right, they wouldn’t take a risk if they were concerned anything was wrong.

[pulisa]

You need to believe that though. Don't let your HA thoughts challenge what you have been told by someone who is trained to assess mammograms accurately?

[Deb350]

You need to believe that though. Don't let your HA thoughts challenge what you have been told by someone who is trained to assess mammograms accurately?

I think now it’s been several days, I’ve finally accepted it in my own mind I’ve now moved on to worrying about my piles again and possible bowel cancer. No helping me!!

[pulisa]

You are certainly NOT helpless in terms of managing your HA though.

[Deb350]

You are certainly NOT helpless in terms of managing your HA though.

I know, I need to get on top of my HA x