What are the odds that all at the same time I need to have 2 needle biopsy's done on my thyroid...which I'm told will take a total of 8 needles to get that job done. Then I have to have a biopsy of a lump in my right breast, found while having a lung scan!
Last but not least, I have to have a biopsy of something in my cervix.
The testing lately is insane, and I'm very tired and feeling what's the use. I feel the strain on my family and the guilt is driving me mad at times. More and more I feel angry and on the verge of tears, but I pull back because I can't do that to the people who do so much for me. Does anyone have any secret potions, or advice on how to keep going on. I don't want to go on anti depressants, I really don't feel that's the answer for me. Does anyone go to counseling or therapy? Did it work for you?
Thanks Mary
I sympathize. It does get tirig all the testing.
I had a needle biopsy done on my breast a couple yrs back, wasn't a bad procedure at all and thankfully mine was ok. I have a marker in there now.
Not sure how the other two biopsies you mentioned are. I've had several needle aspirations where they use and needle and suck up the cells with air. Maybe a regular biopsy gets more "cells"?.
I know it is a "pain" but good to have things checked out. I get monitored a bunch too. ::)
well it certainly sounds like bad things come in threes for you - I hope that everything is benign - but I can't imagine how stressful this is for you right now. (((HUGS)))
Eeek, Mary.
I went through the 'this test for that problem found this NEW possible problem" several times this fall.
It so sucks and is physically and emotionally draining.
Hang in there.
Hugs
Elaine
Hi Mews,
Wow, that must be scary, but don't let it get to you. I've had biopsies in all three of the areas you mentioned and I know they sound awful, but you can do it, honest.
This sounds kind of odd, but the only thing that works for me is that I just kind of "charge in" like a "tank" for a lack of better metaphors (doesn't mean that I'm not scared silly, its just the way I deal...its usually after the test in my car that I fall apart! ;) :)).
Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Take care and keep us updated, okay?
Patze
Carolina that couldn't be any more true! A test for this and you come out with that.. I can't even tell you what else they found.
Patze, thanks so much for the good advice, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow at all... but I will think "Tank"..LOL
thanks Mary
Wow, what a triple whammy of stress.
My aunt went through a similar time of testing and feeling over-whelmed and fed up and trying to be strong for the family. She found a fantastic counselor who she could unload to and she says she'd have cracked up if she hadn't had that special space in her life to let it all out.
We all need to put down our burdens from time to time, and if I could afford it, I'd still be seeing the wonderful Cognitive Behavioural Therapist who helped me to adapt to my miserable health status. I'd come out of there feeling refreshed. With things in better perspective, giving myself permission to let go of the guilt and rest and do nothing if that's what I needed. That was the big one for me. Do nothing? That would mean I was valueless. Lazy. Nope, she said. I was healing. Taking care of myself.
Oftentimes, I'd stumble in the door and the tears I'd held back for days would pour out. She'd prompt me to examine my emotions, to see that I was doing far more than I was giving myself credit for, that there is hope. She held up a mirror to me and made me see who I am, not who I - in my misery and exhaustion - thought I was.
Yeah, I'd recommend it! The hard part is finding someone who doesn't just look at you as a Cash Cow and shlaps it out for their own benefit, who can combine CBT with empathetic listening to give you a space to just go SPLAT in, but also give you tools to help you live your life and cope better.
I wish you negative results, good health and peace of mind whatever happens.
Suzie
In my experience having someone to properly talk to and allowing yourself to cry when needed is way better than taking antidepressants.
Allows you to actually deal with the feelings so they won't come back and bite you later.
We all end up feeling overwhelmed at times, it's not a sign of weakness to feel it.
And I don't think anyone who loves you would want you to put on a brave face and fake being "just dandy" for their sake.
Don't think they'd blame you for having to do lots of tests and for being sick either.
If you feel worn down and in need of a rest then have a rest whenever you can, it's your life and you only have one.
And it's no good to anyone if you go running yourself into the ground completely.
Dear Suzie, that is some wonderful advice and just what I was looking for. I do need someone to talk to. I can't keep bringing things up to my family, I seem to be crying at the drop of a hat and I don't want to be doing that to them. I don't want to keep making them feel like everything wrong with them is my fault, and somehow I am doing that.
The crazy thing is I just told them whats going on with me. I kept all the real bad stuff to my self, but I started to spiral out of control and the Dr appts are to much for me to handle, so they started to find out.
Dear AnaGamble, I have a friend in the medical field who will help me find some one, I hope it doesn't take to long.
Stay Well Mary
Bless you heart, Mary! You have been hit with a triple WHAMMY. Sometimes it seems like you go two steps forward and three steps backward, doesn't it? I will keep you in my prayers.
Jorja
I also favor the fall apart in the car approach. Drive thru for a hot drink, sit back, and think or cry or rant for a while, then sip the healing chocolate, regain my composure and head back home. Of course, if things are very overwhelming a good counselor goes a long way in helping a person feel less nuts.
I hope everything goes well with the biopsies.
-Mrs. Crary
Well I went for my thyroid biopsy yesterday, some good news...they only had to biopsy one side, so that meant only 4 needles..LOL. My neck did hurt all night,but I have been through a lot worse!
Some more news on the home front..Blood work came back showing kidney involvement, so now that's the heart, the lungs and the kidneys..hmmm...what's next need I ask? :o
Stay Well my friends..Mary
Hi Mary,
I'm so glad I could help a little. And now kidneys? You need this kinda stress right before Christmas, right?
Do they think it's all connected, or separate problems to deal with? Is it too soon to know anything?
Wishing you well,
Suzie
Mary
Good news about the thyroid. And lots of good ideas about dealing with your fears and feelings at this cruel time. I'm sending you positive vibes, and will remember you in my prayers.
God Bless.
Kathyx
Hey Suzie she tells me I will know by next Friday, not to bad, and no I don't think they are related, I'm pretty sure that has to do with the Scleroderma...I'm just having way to much fun! Christmas, holy tomatoes when did that happen?
Kathyx, Thank you so much for the prays, we can all use every bit we can get!
Stay well my friends...Mary