Just Diagnosed and feeling so down/ depressed about it

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Jaebon
Jaebon Member Posts: 34
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hello everyone. I was just recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on 3/22/12. I orginally started out with DCIS and had a mastectomy on my right breast on 3/12/12. I thought that once the mastectomy was done I would be finished and completed. WRONG. Well after meeting with my oncologist yesterday they told me during surgery they found a mass about 1.1cm and that  I had no positive receptors, makeing me triple negative. My option is Chemo which i really wish and prayed that I wouldnt need. Now that it seems this is my only option, Im scared, I am angry, I am a ball of emotion.  My oncolgist said that my tumor was a grade 2 and that as far as stage I am at stage 1. I know that there is hope in store and that because it was caught early, I will be fine, but im having a hard time dealing with my emotions.

How in the world did i start out with DCIS and end up with invasive breast cancer. I do not know what is going to happen to me during Chemo, Im scared of being sick, terrified of loosing my hair, im just a mess right now.

Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. 

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited March 2012

    Jaebon....I am just so sorry you are going through all this!! No way to prepare for hearing a diagnosis. And how shocking to hear something totally new after surgery!! It appears to be a really good thing you had the mastectomy, as they were able to find the other mass. There are many who find they have an invasive (or DCIS) component after pathology...so that is not unusual, but still disappointing, I know.

    Chemo is doable, and you will find much support here. I was glued to the chemo threads every step of the way, and found many great friends there. It is always nice to know you aren't alone.

    Your emotions are all very justified. Sending you a big (((((hug))))).

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  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 1,585
    edited March 2012

    Just saw your post and want to say that I can empathise so much.  This is such a hard time--please know that we are with you and will support you and that all the emotions you are feeling are normal!! Sending you lots of love and support!! hang inthere sister xo

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  • nonijones333
    nonijones333 Member Posts: 120
    edited March 2012

    Hi Jeabon, I'm noni and if you look at my blog "26 year survivor" and read threw the whole blog it might make you feel better. When I was first diagnosed at 39 I remember how I felt. My very dear surgeon, (now Deseased) walked me over to the hospital window and said "I want you to look out there and see all those women walking around, some of those women have breast cancer and they don't even know it, you however found yours at a very early stage and you can think of yourself as being very fortunate because you are going to be fine". Bless his heart he was right. Twenty six years ago when cancer was stage 1 with no nodes involved chemo was not offered,, today it is a great insurance policy, some want the insurance and some don't. My daughter, nine years ago opted for the chemo and I was very relievd. She went threw chemo just fine, was very active threw it, she is a ski instructor and never missed a beat. Was really only sick on the third day after her chemo, and really just flu like symtoms for a day, and most don't even get that and never even miss a days work..even though I chose not to do chemo, I hear everyone say it is doable and I am all for that insurance policy...but go and read what I have to say about TN (triple neg.)

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  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited March 2012

    nonijones33: What a great story!  My surgeon, also, was the best.  After examining the lump and before looking at my films/test results, he looked me right in the eye and said, "...you're going to be fine ... you're young, you're strong, you're healthy and you've caught it early ..."  Then, he looked at all my films/test results and confirmed his statement.  It was early and I had a number of treatment options.   Things looked very favourable... and continue to be so.  Treatment was hard emotionally, but - physically - I only slowed down a little.

    jaebon: A diagnosis of breast cancer is always difficult, no matter what the stage, biology, grade or whatever.  It's shocking that our bodies can betray us so badly.  But breast cancer treatment has come a long way in the last decade and there is much they can do for your to help ease you through treatment.  But - as we all discovered - a breast cancer journey is more than just physical; there's a huge chunk of it that's emotional... and everyone neglects to mention that when you're diagnosed!!!

    Hang in there.  There will be good days and bad days.  There will be days when - even if you have a very strong support group of loved ones - you'll still feel so very alone.  It's okay to get angry, cry, stamp your feet, and be afraid.  But you will get through it.  You will.  You're a woman.  And there's no one stronger.

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited March 2012

    I am so sorry about this.  It is really hard, but I can tell you it will get better.  I started this in Dec 2010 and now life is more normal again.  Your emotions are normal.  At this point you have to take it all one step at a time.  If you look at the whole picture, you will be overwhelmed...anyone would be.  Just stay focused on the fact that a year from now you can be in a better place.  My heart sinks every time I see someone else diagnosed.  Hugs.

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