Diagnosed 3/09, post-lumpectomy, crying all the time...

(((Puppers)))  ~ So sorry you're going through this, but at least you already have your surgery behind you, and your lymph nodes were clear, both of  which should be a huge relief to you.  The discomfort may take a few more weeks to resolve -- probably a good month or even 6 weeks from your surgery date.  And as far as the crying goes, we've all been there.  A bc dx is a lot to absorb all at once and definitely leaves most of us feeling detached from what's going on, but at the same time very vulnerable and fearful about the future and the unknowns associated with pending treatment.  Some tears are normal and a healthy way to relieve stress hormones, but if you find yourself feeling depressed day after day or crying a lot or unable to sleep, you may want to ask your doc for something to help you through this temporarily.  In fact, some docs routinely prescribe anti-anxiety meds and/or sleep-aids for women who have just had a bc dx.  Or, you can also pick up something natural at a health food store for the same purpose -- just something to take the edge off your anxiety.

Hopefully, once you meet with your oncologist and rad onc and have a gameplan in place for the rest of your tx, you'll start to feel much more in control and taking charge of the situation.  Until then, I'm glad you've found us, and hope we can assure you that what you're going through is totally normal and absolutely does get better and easier with time.    Deanna

Hi,

I too went though Breast Cancer surgery 2-12-09, had a mamisite, 5 days of radation and now Doc wants me to go through Chemo. Been crying my eyes out ever since.

Puppers and busdriver,  so sorry you had to join our club, but glad you found us!  the beginning is so scary,  I cried alot too.  I found lorazapam helped me a lot during that time and if your open to meditation, Healthjourneys.com have some wonderful guided imagery and meditation cd's for cancer patients.  tina

Puppers,

Sorry that you have had to join our club. 

I am a 3 1/2 year survivor of IDC (Invasive Cancer), diagnosed at age 41 with 3 positive lymph nodes.  The beginning of this journey is really, really hard emotionally.  Having your life turned upside down in an instant is a good reason why.  I do need to tell you though that what you are feeling is TOTALLY NORMAL and expected!  Let the tears flow as crying is cleansing, it is not good to keep the anger and fear bottled up inside.

Believe it or not this journey does get a little easier with time, lots of time.  I think I cried myself to sleep for the first 6 months after diagnosis and had really hard awful crying spells asking myself why or how this could happen?  It is a total crapshoot and unfortunately with the stats of one in 8 women being diagnosed with bc, we are the ones that end up with it!

Dont be afraid to seek out medical help our conselling if you need it, there is no shame.  Lots of ladies including myself seek out anti depressants to help us get through the hard beginning stage of this disease.  Once you see the oncologist and get the rest of your treatment plan underway you feel a little bit more in control.

The lumpectomy discomfort was a pain, I found that sleeping with a pillow underneath my arm at night helped with sleep.  It took a good few months to feel some relief.

Did your doctor suggest exercises to stretch out your arm?

Please pm me if you have any questions.

 Michele

BusDriver ~  Do you have any other information about your bc you could share with us?  Do you know what kind of bc you had and the size?  Do you know what Grade (not Stage) it was?  Do you know your hormone receptor status and Her2 status?   Depending on some of those factors, there is an additional test called the Oncotype-DX that may be appropriate for you.  It's not the genetic test you had, but one that gives you a score to help you understand your need (or not) for chemo.  You can read about it here:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/oncotype_dx.jsp

(That's a page from the informational section of this site.)

Hope this helps ~   Deanna

puppers----so glad to hear that all nodes were clear !!!!  My mom had ILC many years ago with negative nodes--lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxifen--and is now a survivor of over 22 years without a recurrence. She's an inspiration to me and I hope can be for you as well.

Anne

puppers & busdriver -

A little more than 2 years ago, I did not think I would go through a day without major crying jags.  It took time (and the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety meds helped.)  I have more good days now than bad ones.

Busdriver-- chemo is no walk in the park, but it is definitely DOABLE.  And it was much worse anticipating it that going through it.  Not easy, but nowhere near as bad as I imagined.  Do not let your fear make your decision.

Hugs and PEACE to you,

Beth

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your support, just a little infor. This is the 2nd time around for me, the 1st was 12-9-99 I had stage 1 Ovaian Cancer, (9 months before my Wedding). So it was more of a shock to learn I had Breast Cancer, I just never thought Cancer would come back, I'm just having a harder time. Doc said I would lose my hair!! and Chemo would be every other week for 4 months by IV. Next Oncologist appt. is on the 21st. I don't know if I have time to get a second or third opinion, Oncologist said it's best to start Chemo within 12 weeks of Surgery and mind was 2-12-09

Puppers, BusDriver and all - It is so wonderful to find people like me.  I was dx on 3/11, had lumpectomy and node removal 3/23 (ILC,4cm, 4/14 positive nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-; just writing that all down makes me realize how much has changed.  It's a whole new language!)

And I cry, usually in the middle of the night when I can't stop thinking. Crying is good, I think, and I usually feel a lot better when I'm done.  For now I'm taking this one day at a time, being strong and in control of those things I can control most of the time, letting my family and friends take care of me when I'm not strong, and hoping for the best.  Chemo is on the horizon and I am a mess when I think about it, but knowing you have been there helps a lot.

I just joined & so I thought I'd start here since the "crying all the time" jumped out at me! I was first diognosed in Jan. of this year. Had 2 surgeries. Lumpectomy & 18 nodes removed on first. Once was cancererous. Then 2nd to go back under the lump incision to remove any other cancer cells. I have been just fine & positive & upbeat all during this. BUT, had my first visit with the oncologist & POW! now it's all overwhelming! I learned I will have 6 courses of chemo, 1 time every 3 weeks. That's like 5 months of it. AND I learned I will lose my hair. Big thing for me.

I am under additional stress as of Sat. because my son, DIL & 2 grandsons who are living w/me since Dec., are now moving out because my son had a silly fight with my other Daughter in Law. He imagined she said something & now is moving out. He won't let me see my grandkids & they are in my house! 

So that has me the most upset. 

I am glad I found this board. I was looking for something like this to share & talk & learn. I do have a strong faith in my Lord & I do call on His help daily.

I hope to get to know you all

Thanks Paula! I feel so much better already since finding this board! I'll be busy looking at each thread.

Busdriver,  I am so sorry you are going through this, and that you've got such a difficult set of choices ahead of you.  I am praying your oncologist is a bad***warrior who kicks your cancer to the curb with those chemo drugs.  

A friend of mine who's a therapist told me that crying is great for reducing stress toxins and that I should cry as much as I can.  She also said a great panic reducer is to breathe slowly and deeply, 10 times, with my hands held in my lap and my mind still.  It really helps.

Blessings and prayers,

Laura  

Hey Sisters:

New to this forum.. so be patient with my ignorance. This is my second go around. In 2005 I had a total mastectomy & all axilllary nodes removed . No chemo or radiation.

The cancer has returned behind the implant this Jan. in my supraclavicle lymphnode  and afew on the chest wall. I am doing chemo now . , Once a week for three weeks then off 1/ Just ended my 4th round with positive reduction in size. Yeah!!!

My question for anyone out there today is... shortness of breath>>> my dr. says it is not chemo medication related.. Hmmmmmmmm/ funny  it started the same time & has progressively gotten worse. Seeing a pulmonary specialist with a long battery of test . No answer or solution yet.

Meanwhile i can hardly walk across the floor to the phone without feeling i ran the 50 yard dash.

Sound familiar to any one else?

Hi,

I start Chemo 4-30-09 at 3:00pm, really not looking forward to it. How am I going to FEEL? My Husband and I are commited to a fuction this weekend. It's called Market Affair, it's where alot of Vedors get together and sell their wares. I make Angel, Spring and Christmas Pins to wear, and I really don't want to miss it!!!

DX 2-12-09, Stage 1, 21/2cm, 2 nodes clear, ER-PR-HER- (Triple-)