Stage 1

Hi,

I was diagnosed last Dec. 21st with Stage 1 Grade1 ER/PR positive and HER2neg. as well. My tumor was .7   I also had LCIS in both breasts. I had a bilateral mastectomy as well. My story is different maybe in the fact that I had every complication surgically that could go wrong. Infections in both incisions most likely hospital aquired. One incision broke open and took months to heal. 2 different IV antibiotics via PICC line almost going 24/7 due to dosing for 6.5 weeks.  Then an uncommon side effect of one of the antibiotics for 5 weeks that caused me to not have my balance. My Oncotype Score was 12. No chemo. Tamoxifen then an AI after I go through meopause. I am going to be 54 in Oct.  No family history what so ever and found on routine mamo.  It is overwhelming and I think you will find yourself having every emotion possible and sometimes without warning. My advice to you would be to surround yourself with trusted and I mean trusted individuals that you can truly share your emotions with, without worrying about being judged. You will find that many just don't get it. I have started eating almost everything organic, little processed, low surgar getting excercise almost daily. Stay away from Soy products and limit alcohol. There are things about this disease we simply can't control.  But those other things we can really do and it will help keep us healthy and help with reoccurance as much as we can help with that. There is a wonderful article on Breastcare.org I think it is that talks about the grieving stages you go through specifically to loosing a breast. It was very helpful to me. It helped to validate that the emotions I was feeling were normal and ok. Be gentle with yourself. Good luck and know there are many here on this web site that care and truly understand what you are going through.

I was in the same boat as you.  My oncotype score was 17, I still chose do go thru chemo and of course radiation.  I also take Tamoxifen (2 yrs now).  One of the  main reasons why I chose the chemo is that I was only 42 yrs old (also young for bc) and I wanted to give everything that was available to prevent a reoccurance.  I exercise 5 times a week and try and eat healthy, limiting the bad stuff.  This is all we can do, no one knows whats in our future.  Have faith, be positive and live each day to the fullest.

tiff