Just Diagnosed Lumpectomy Wednesday

Boxingmama

After a year of being totally isolated, my husband and I were finally venturing out two weeks after our second vaccine. Went for my normal yearly mammogram and ultrasound and wham! Breast cancer. My second bout of cancer as I had papillary thyroid cancer in 2018. This is not a club I wanted to join!

no genetic markers for any cancer, no Brca but numerous aunts and cousins with breast and ovarian post menopause. My brother had testicular in his 30s and my sister thyroid cancer a year after me. She is 68, I am 69.

So here I am, whiny, angry, anxious, terrified...and sad, very very sad. I don’t feel strong or brave or like a fierce warrior. I am not grateful ( several people have told me I should be). I just want to sleep until the surgery is over.

canadaliz

Hello!

Don't despair sister. Your diagnosis will not shorten your expected lifespan by even one minute. Your cancer is a hiccup. A minuscule blip. You will see to it and move on. It is a punch in the tits to learn there is another challenge to face but it will pass and you will return to life as you planned. I was heartbroken on my first diagnosis. I sobbed and sobbed and took to my bed, unable to face the world. But then I gathered myself and soldiered through the process and have come out the other side a stronger person. Have a cup of tea, cuddle into bed. Hold your husband's hand and know that you will be just fine and together will make many many more wonderful memories. Cheers, Liz

Beesie

You've just been diagnosed with breast cancer. You have every right to be whiny, angry, anxious, terrified and very sad. That all sounds pretty normal to me. You don't have to be strong or brave; you just have to put one foot in front of the other, take one step at a time, and show up. Do that and you will be fine.

And grateful? What idiot ( sorry! ) suggested to someone newly diagnosed that they should be grateful?

You might enjoy the following thread on this discussion board - you'll see that you are certainly not alone:

Topic: I'm not on a "journey" and I'm not a "warrior." Who is with me? https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/102/topic...

Good luck Wednesday!

Rah2464

Boxingmama so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I am very glad you found us. To echo the other posters, you are entitled to feel exactly how you feel. The whole thing stinks, I mean who wants to go through this stuff? I certainly was ticked off and saddened by it. Cannot imagine feeling grateful that is just a bit too out there for me. So take some deep breaths, be kind to yourself and know that we will walk with you. ((Hugs))

Boxingmama

thank you! i can't tell you how incredible it is to have this support. Cancer is very lonely!!!

AliceBastable

Boxingmama

Greetings from one cancer crap magnet to another! It does make you want to scream "enough already" when life adds another bundle to the cancer variety pack. I hope you get to stop at two. You're about the age I was when I had my lumpectomy almost three years ago. I was pleasantly surprised how un-crummy I felt afterwards. My advice is to use a rolled-up child's sock inside your bra for two or three weeks afterwards. I was allowed to take off the really restrictive surgical one after two days (I went out to lunch with friends that day before it was changing time and had to be careful the velcro didn't pop!) and then I switched to a sports bra that I wore non-stop except for showers. Adding the sock as pressure on the incision really prevents swelling. I also used another sock between my breasts when sleeping to keep Shorty from gravitating when I was on my other side.

Good luck Wednesday and I hope you have an easy recovery. Feel free to spit in the eye of any fool who tells you to be grateful. Good grief.

Dallas115

I know how lonely it can feel, glad you are getting your surgery. This is a great place to come for support. Sending positive vibes your way:)