im a fighter!

Erin4715

I was just diagnosed on wednesday with breast cancer.  I am 37 and a single mother of 4.  I am scared out of my mind but I am not going to let this beat me.  Right now my mind is going crazy with surgery choices, chemo, radiation, abbreviations, numbers, mri, ect....   so much information and so scary.  I just want the thing out of me now!  Did anyone feel like wanting to cut there own breast off when they found out?  Or amI going crazy?  I think I want a double mastectomy with reconstruction so nothing comes back. Have my next appointment tuesday.  just want it out so I can start fighting this thing!

Moderators

Dear Erin, Welcome to the  BCO on-line community. We are sorry that you have had to find yourself here but believe that this is a wonderful place to receive information and support. There is great information on our main site about treatment options and all things breast cancer related. You also may want to post on this forum https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27/topic/757067?page=67#post_4036359 which is for women under 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is fairly active. Good luck with  your appointment on Tuesday and keep us posted. The Mods

Alive4Five

Hi Erin! It's a shame to find yourself here..but for support, info etc...it's the place to meet others who are where you are, and we 'get it'! Because sometimes even our well meaning friends and family have good intentions, but find themselves at a loss for words. 

Rest assured you will feel better when your treatment is started and at least you will have the focus you need to be in step with getting on with the fight! And yes, I, like you, just wanted them 'off and gone'! Even though my initial DX (diagnosis) was only one breast; still, I didn't have to think twice about doing them both. It turned out, (in my case), that I made the right decision for me.

I see you are a single mother of four! Wow...I can understand that too...to an extent, I have five boys... so you know how our stress levels can be on overload at times... lol... 

Please come back as you feel the need for whatever you need...info, a good cry, a good laugh, or just to vent. We are all on the same journey and the women here are knowledgable and supportive!

Hang in there, this first few days can be the most stressful... but I like your spirit already... So let's get on with this fight! (((hugs))) to you

Monis

Erin,  Welcome to BCO, but sorry you have to be here.  You'll find lots of support and advice here from lots of great gals.  We're all in this together.  Let's kick cancer's butt!

Vikingqueen

Erin you need to look at your options. I only opted for lumpectomy and lymphectomy  recovery was easy and I was doing yoga in 2  weeks swimming in pool in 3 1/2 weeks. No worries for me on reconstruion wich can bring a lot of down time too. Good luck!

Erin4715

Thank u everyone for the love and support.  I am looking at my options and I feel because of my family history and having ovarian cancer that a double mastectomy is best for me.  I just want it all out because I dont want to ever do this again.  

Lily55

Hi Erin

Sorry to be the one to tell you but now that you are diagnosed with cancer, no matter what you do and choices you make now will not guarantee that cancer will not return in future. Once any of us have had cancer we have cancer stem cells floating around, the difference is some of us can stop them from landing and breeding and others can´t........all we can do is maximise the chances of blocking them.

You do have time to consider your choices carefully and taking a week or even a month to do this will not affect your outcome (unless you have inflammatory breast cancer when prompt action is more important) - someone gave me one peice of advice, that has stood me well, NEVER make any decisions regarding treatment based on fear.....there is a lot of uncomfortable stuff and choicees to get your head around......you are too important to rush them......

Sorry hope i have not upset you but its better to know the reality now I think

lemon68

Good luck to you Erin. There are so many options and what feels right today may change tomorrow. Best advice I can give and your already doing it is to educate yourself on your options. I had lumpectomy and rads. But I just had a BMX and reconstruction over a year later. My path showed the side I thought was good wasn't so good. I like you had no plans to go though this again if I could help it. I know there is still a small chance but its small and before the MX it was huge. Follow your heart and your gut. All the best to you. It does get easier once things get moving.

ErinMichelle34

I was diagonosed April 30th, and let me tell you...at 34 years old, the best of shape I have been in long time but my biggest worry is my husband and my three kids. 8, 11 and 14 years old. My son is the youngest then two daughters.
I went in for gall bladder issues, then that surgery went on hold and they were looking at my liver. It was my CT Scan  that bought the breast ultrasound and mammogram. Then in came my Dr and two more. Then the dreadful words .."you have breast cancer", but it didnt stop there, its already stage four spread to your liver and little in your spleen. All that went through my mind was seeing my kids and my husband and parents and sisters. What a blow I took, scared beyond and knowing nothing until biopsy. Once all that was done and came back still nothing good, worse again with the type I have. It is rare. But I am on chemo now, and I am fighting with everything I have. For my kids and family yes but for me also. I love life and cherish mine. I want to be around for their graduations weddings grandkids and more....
I hope you fight it like you havent faught anything before...stay strong and determined. "I BELIEVE"

Take Care, Erin Michelle...<3

edwards750

Erin - so sorry you are dealing with this DX but there is hope. There are a number of Stage IV ladies still around many years out from their DX. It is hard not to react from fear but good advice not to. I'm not in your shoes so I can't personally relate but I did do my homework for my particular BC. Like lemon I had a lumpectomy and RADS. My ONC based my treatment plan on the Oncotype test. That test has at least given me optimism about my particular outcome but there are no guarantees even from we early BC stagers. 

Good you are a fighter. Keep us posted and keep the faith. 

Diane