About two months ago, I found a lump in my breast. I tried to remain calm, but I immediately scheduled the mammogram I’d been putting off for quite some time. In fact, my mother would be horrified to learn that I hadn’t had a mammogram in six years! Fortunately, I was able to get in for the mammogram the day after I made the call, but my fears were not alleviated. I was asked to come back for a breast ultrasound to get a better look at the suspicious area. I learned that I would have to wait two weeks for the ultrasound.
Dealing With Worry
While I was waiting to have the ultrasound done, I did my best to maintain a positive attitude. I told myself that what I had was just a benign cyst and that it would soon disintegrate. I affirmed my health and vitality the best I could and devoted my attention to my to-do list. I reminded myself of the two powerful questions which Gay Hendricks (in “The Big Leap”) suggests we ask when we find ourselves immersed in worry:
- Is it a real possibility?
- Is there any action I can take right now to make a positive difference?
In my case, the answer to the first question was yes. It was a real possibility that the lump in my breast could be malignant. However, the answer to the second question was no. I had taken the necessary actions to determine the state of the lump by having the mammogram done and scheduling the follow-up ultrasound. There was really nothing else I could do until I knew the outcome, so it was not in my best interest to worry. There was little I could do except wait and go about my life as per usual.
Tags: appreciation, breast cancer, Elizabeth Edwards, fear, Gay Hendricks, gratitude, health, health challenges, illness, perspective, worry
