Depression - Diagnosis

pebbles13901

In the last two months I have suffered loss of job, my boyfriend breaking up with me, and BC diagnosis. I am literally finding it hard to deal with the day to day and sometimes getting out of bed. I first discovered my lump in January during a routine self-exam, I immediately scheduled an appointment with my OB-Gyn. I was sent for a sonogram, that lead to mammogram that showed three spots in my right breast. During this time about 2 1/2 months had lapsed and I had lost about 40 lbs which was just as alarming as the pain I was having in my breast. After my lumpectomy on May 5, I was diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS (Pre-Cancer Cells). My surgeon explained that even though this was a good diagnosis, I had the option of going forward with a bi-lateral mastectomy. I have decided to move forward with that option after having a post operative MRI that showed three additional lumps in my left breast, and two more spots of calcification in my right breast. I find myself being very angry some days and on other occasions I am crying consistently throughout the day. I was being treated for depression prior to my diagnosis however it has gotten to the point that I feel like a prisoner in my own mind. I have all the necessary oncology and plastic surgeon appointments scheduled, and have even sought on one on one counseling. Things that normally made me happy, and brought joy into my life seem insignificant. I am looking for anyone who was being treated for depression pre-diagnosis with helpful tips or suggestions that can help me through to the next phase.

Cowgirl13

Pebbles, it is going to get better. Sounds like you may have had a depressive relapse which is totally understandable. Are you still on meds? I suggest that you check in with your provider as you may need a medication adjustment. That's the first thing I would do. And I was being treated for depression prior to diagnosis and had a medication adjustments several months into my diagnosis. And it really worked.

There is hope and it will get better. Good that you have your appointments set up. Be sure that you are very comfortable with all your docs and that they have time to answer your questions. If they don't, get a second opinion. That's what I did with my oncologist....first one was too busy and my second opinion doc was fabulous and I loved his chemo staff.

Great that you have inquired about one-to-one counseling. You might want to ask if your hospital has a cancer support group...my hospital had one and I stayed in it for about a year...it was a really good experience and I got so much support. It really helped with those feelings of being alone.

When I started this process, I had no idea how I would get through it but I did.

So take baby steps, eat three meals a day. Stay off the internet.

Please let us know how you are doing.

Lizzie

Moderators

Pebbles-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're so sorry for the circumstances that brought you here, but we're glad you've joined us, and hope you find the support and encouragement you need, when you need it most.

Like Lizzie said, it DOES get better. The days and weeks following your diagnosis are the hardest, as you try to figure out your new normal. But you've found a place where almost everyone has been, or is, where you are now. You are not alone! We have a forum dedicated to breast cancer and depression/anxiety that you might find helpful. You can find it here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/102.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and keep using these boards! So many of our members have found them invaluable during this time.

The Mods

Moderators

Dear pebbles, Just checking back to see how you are doing? Stay connected. Keep us posted. There is lots of support here. The Mods

Lily55

pebbles, thereis no needto rush your decision,its a massive one, you can take a couplemore weeks or even longer with no risk to your prognosis, you have so much going on.......you don't sound in the right frame of mind to make such a big decision,do you have a counsellor you cantalk this through and explore with?