Just diagnosed

Anonymous

Just diagnosed

abg712

hello, ladies.

I am scared and upset for what I have to face next, but it feels good to have you sisters to inspire me and give me hope. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago, with IDC multi focal, and unilateral mastectomy is Monday. I've done the past three weeks of tests, 4 biopsies, Pet Ct, the horrible editing, getting results on the phone, etc. I'm trying to stay strong and optimistic. Trying to focus on the good aspects of my BC like well-differentiated. I am so nervous and just kind of flattened and disappointed. I'm trying to center myself before surgery and the next phase after that too. I am also stressing about the results. It feels really good to have a 'place' to go like this. I love the supportive community, and hope to give back inspiration one day), and reading survivor stories. I guess I just wanted to connect, send my love, and see if there is any specific pre-surgery advice. Thank you!

bluepearl

It is the very worst of times, the beginning but when you get a treatment plan in focus and have all the information, you and and will move forward. Well differentiated cells is very good news! Slower growing. You will got through a roller coaster of emotions, all of them normal and do not try to go through this journey alone. You need a soft place to fall. Hoping you get all good results coming up and we will be here waiting!!!!!

Goincrzy8

The waiting is worse than the surgery itself. Then more waiting for pathology. BC is a waiting game. Hurry up and wait. Be sure to check with hosptial or BS on what you will be wearing home. You most likely will have drains, and really they are just a PAIN, but doable.

MTwoman

Also getting a good recoop spot ready for yourself could give you something positive to do this weekend. Think of what kinds of things you might like to pamper yourself with after your surgery. Having a comfy spot all ready for you with music/tv/books/scented candles etc is great (not just your bed, another spot to move to so you don't have to just lay in bed). I needed to get out of my bed asap, so that I didn't feel like a "sick person". I had some yummy soup all ready in my fridge so I could give myself nice warm soothing nutrition when I needed it. Herbal teas or other soothing beverages. I got a new, nice soft bathrobe to wear around for the first day or so and then new comfy jammy pants as well. I brought soothing music with me the morning of my surgery as I didn't want to just be sitting there waiting. I also had my SNB (sentinel node biopsy) on the day of my lx, so I had to lay under the imaging system for an hour, so music was the bomb! You can do this. Focus on just the next step, and what you need to take care of yourself after that. If anyone asks "what can I do?" TELL them My therapist had me make a list of all the things (from little up to big) that would be nice for someone to do, and when someone asked me (close friends/family) I'd pull out my list. Felt good for them to be able to do something helpful, felt nice for me too. Don't forget to breathe and remember you're carrying a lot of us in your pocket on Monday.

abg712

Thank you for these helpful tips. I'm having a problem with my mental game right now. I'm have a mastectomy on my left breast tomorrow and last night, both breasts has a little white discharge. I started freaking out about the right breast too. It's just so hard to manage and stay happy. I will get there and this group really helps to inspire me as I embark into the big journey. Love ya!

Moderators

abg712, welcome. We hate you have to go through this, but we're glad you've found this wonderful Community to help you along the way.

Good luck with surgery tomorrow. We'll be thinking of you!

The Mods

Beevv

Also newly diagnosed, having core biopsy results tomorrow confirming what treatments etc as I have to fly home to Ireland for mastectomy and follow up treatment unknown to me as yet. I live and work in South Africa but have no health insurance here...my own fault! I was a bit angry at the radiologist who did my core biopsy, he hadn't even bothered to open my mammogram, ultra sound or FNB done by another radiologist, then said "this is big" but i doubt its anything of value!! If he had read my FNB and ultra sound report he would have known better. Anyway my BS is wonderful available on whats'app any time she told me not to pay attention to anything just the pathology reports. Goof luck with your op, keep posting your progress..B.

DC_HM

You are right, the mental game and the waiting for test results are the hardest. At least it was for me with my IDC diagnosis in Oct. 2015. My oncologist offered psychological assistance and my husband convinced me to take it. It was an enormous help, especially in those moments of shock, panic and emotions I cannot believe I could have. Also, it was a good transition toward the treatment because it reinforced my belief in the medical team supporting me, it provided reading material and links to authorized websites where I could educate myself about the results and the treatment options - including the side effects, that are one great source of anxiety. In other words, the psychologist helped me regain a sense of control and confidence.

I'll add what two friends of mine who went through the same IDC diagnostic 5 and, respectively, 15 years ago, told me: "You'll see that once you start the treatment, you'll feel much better about everything and once it's over, you'll be your old self again." Last Saturday it was one year after I finished the radiation therapy, and I can tell you they were both right. The radiation and the aromatase inhibitors I take daily have side effects, but I know what they are and how to deal with them.
Best of luck with your treatment. It is a difficult journey but it DOES get better.

abg712

Hello Beevv, I really hope your tests and treatment go well. I will tell you, my sister, I am a week out of my mastectomy and I feel such an incremental but highly valued feeling that this part is being dealt with. Take each step at a time and it will feel a little better every time. Good luck. xo

Gerji

I, too, am new to this & just diagnosed.I am scared to death & my emotions are all over the place! My daughter is an 8 yr breast cancer survivor & has many insights to what I will be facing but I still feel so all alone as I am a widow, living on my own. I read your post this first time here & gelt connected somehoe. My thpughts are with you. Gerji

Gerji

just saw you just had the mastectomy. That is one of the options I have, after just being diagnosed. If you feel up to it & want to, can you tell me about it? My daughter is an 8 yr breast cancer survivor who had the most aggressive approaach-- mastectomy, radiation & chemo! My Dr says he believes if I opt for the mastectomy, I won't have to do radiation. I am just so scared & worried & my emotions are running rampant!! One day I know what I am going to do but the next day I'm not so sure!!!

abg712

hi Gerji-

What was your diagnosis? I am currently 9 days out from a unilateral mastectomy. I did not have a choice, as I had multi-centric tumors (small, but I had 4). I did not have a lumpectomy option. I would be happy to tell you about my week post-surgery. Having one side to use normally helped tremendously. I was 2 nights in hospital due to pain needing to be managed before I could comfortably go home and that worked well for me. I was always made as comfortable as possible. I was more scared before than after - after, I was grateful to have done it. A week later, I am just on Aleve to manage my discomfort and do arm exercises. Of course, treatment comes next. But I lined up friends and family, got my desire to eat back and found comfortable positions in bed to relax and recover. I am still taking it very slowly. I am 43 and have 3 kids. One is a 2.5 yr old and I can't hug or lift him yet....but I can sip a cup of tea and talk to my best friends on the phone, all helpful. And I got someone to drive me to dr appts. xo

Gerji

They are pretty syre it is cancer in my left breast. Said I could go through biopsy but fairly certain it would just prove him right. Said if I go through a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy I wouldn't need radiation. Said I wouldn't be as sore as I was with stomach surgeries, as no muscles are involved. Be in hospital just overnight. My problem (one at least) is I am in bed most of the Tim anyways due to an accident that broke both knees & femurs! So very limited use of my legs right now and when I need to turn, the left side is the one I turn on & that's the side w/lump!! How uncomfortable were the drainage tubes? My daughter had all this done 8 yes ago-- mastectomy, chemo & radiation, but, of course, she's much younger & felt it best to treat it as aggressively as possible to make sure it was all out! She has given me some facts but want to know as much as possible before I decide what to do. My emotions are going crazy! One day I know what I want to do, net day, not so sure! Thanks, so much, for sharing this with me!

abg712

Hi Gerji

What I can tell you is that the drains were a bit of a nuisance but not painful. I got them removed 1 week post op and even that did not hurt.

One thing that came to mind- if you have limited mobility in legs to begin with and then have this surgery... then you will have about 1-2 weeks of very very limited movement and of course discomfort and no driving. Maybe you get a nurse at home to be with you for the first 2 weeks!

I had one big bad week of pain and limited mobility. Week 2 better! Stay on top of anti biotics and the pain meds week 1.

msphil

sweetie we are indeed sisters here lits of us been where u are and jniw what your going thru We here are constantly in mt prayers n me personally wabt to Always reach back n encourage others going thru. My Faith Hope n Positive thinking got me thru for sure family n friends also. Once ny treatment plan was in place things eased up. Praise God im a 23yr Survivor this yr. msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo and rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen

Anonymous

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Don't be afraid of this. I am a year almost since my diagnosis and the chemo was so easy as was radiotherapy. You will get better and this state is only temporary.

cliff

and brothers too, I was "lucky?" only 2 weeks from "hey doc, whats this? it hurts" to surgery. not much time to worry. left breast, and 21 lymph nodes gone. I had a good surgeon and crew, Dr. Tenofsky at the via christie womens center. probably the biggest haryest customer they ever had.

good luck and good future wishes.

hausla01

hope you did/are doing well with recovery. Perhaps you feel a little better having another step done? I am about a month behind you in terms of my surgery and have such similar feelings during the waiting game. Thanks For posting

Moderators

Hi Hausia01,

Welcome to the BCO community! We know it's not a place anyone wishes to find themselves but we hope you find the forums supportive and informative.

Let us know if you have any questions about navigating your way around here.

Best wishes,

The Moderators.