bp2, 73 yr. old female diagnosed almost 40 yrs. ago. i know this illness well and what it takes to remain stable most of the time. just went thru a situation that has totally overwhelmed me and am wanting some feedback/input as to how you handle stressful situations.

annual mammogram: handed notice results after mammogram that required additional mammogram...total meltdown, called hubby who was out of town, told him to come home sooner, which he did. have been married 33 yrs. to a wonderful, committed, calm, easy going husband.

my primary dr., a brilliant nurse friend who just had double mastectomy, and a friend at health club who's an oncologist at mayo clinic read first results and said no cancer, but get addl. mammo./ultrasound scheduled, which was today at 10am.

in spite of all the medical feedback and unconditional support, these last 2 weeks have been horrible: obsessing, thinking the worst outcome, yet trying to distract, not over-think, not get overly anxious which is on my bipolar spectrum.

hubby and i go to facility; had mammo. first (have had several breast implant exchanges over the years and have lots of scar tissue); after mammo i asked if hubby could sit in on ultrasound. when that was completed, the waiting began while tech got results from radiologist. i broke down again, thinking it had to be cancer, while hubby was comforting me..BOTH TECH AND FEMALE RADIOLOGIST came into the room (advised both of them i'm bipolar hypomanic and i have intense reactions to everything!)and was informed by radiologist that i have a complicated cyst and to come back in 6 mo. for another ultrasound. no cancer. it's now almost 4pm and i'm still reeling from the 2 weeks of the unknown and the wait until radiologist informed me. she even hugged me and i told her how very much i appreciated her hug and compassion.

so my question is do you have any coping techniques to deal with stress/unknown? it seems as i've gotten older, i'm way more vulnerable and unable to cope. would appreciate any input. thanks.